Here's a breakdown of their social structure:
* Family Units: Groups typically consist of 5-15 related females, their calves, and sometimes young males.
* Matriarch's Role: The oldest female, known as the matriarch, leads the group and makes decisions about food, water, and travel.
* Young Males: Young males will leave the group when they reach adolescence and often form bachelor herds. They may return to the family unit for mating purposes.
* Lone Bulls: Older males usually live solitary lives, except during mating season when they may join groups.
Benefits of living in groups:
* Protection from predators: Groups offer safety in numbers.
* Raising young: Mothers receive help from other females in caring for their calves.
* Finding food and water: Sharing knowledge and experience about resources.
* Social bonding: Elephants are highly social animals, and group living provides companionship and support.