What Is a Group of Elephants Called?

Elephant herds are primarily made up of related adult females and their offspring. These herds form tight family groups, usually led by the oldest female, known as the matriarch. She guides the herd using her memory to locate food, water and safe habitats across Africa and Asia.

Male elephants, or bulls, typically leave the herd when they reach puberty. After that, they may live alone or form loose associations with other males. These all-male groups aren’t as structured as herds of females and young.

There are three species of elephants.

Herd size can vary. In the wild, a typical herd might include eight to 100 individuals, depending on the species and habitat.

Living in herds provides protection from predators and helps young elephants learn vital skills from older family members.

Elephants use their trunks, tusks and vocalizations to communicate and coordinate movements. Herds stick together while feeding, raising young and defending each other.

Elephants are known for their intelligence, memory, and strong emotional bonds. Herds often mourn the loss of a member and can recognize each other after years apart.

Despite their strength and size, elephant herds face serious threats from humans. Poaching for ivory, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict are driving many populations toward extinction.

Conservationists work across Africa and Asia to protect habitats and reduce poaching, helping herds stay intact and healthy.

In some regions, such as Kenya and parts of India, ecotourism helps fund conservation efforts and raise awareness about the importance of these social animals.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.