* Matriarch-led: The herd is led by a mature female called the matriarch. She's the oldest and most experienced, and she makes decisions about where the herd goes, when they eat, and how they respond to threats.
* Related females: The matriarch is usually surrounded by her daughters, granddaughters, and sometimes even great-granddaughters.
* Immature males: Young males usually stay with the herd until they reach adolescence, around 12-14 years old.
* Transient bulls: Once males reach maturity, they often leave the herd to become solitary or join bachelor herds with other males.
* Cooperation: Elephants within a herd cooperate in many ways, including:
* Sharing food and water
* Protecting each other from predators
* Raising young together
* Communicating through vocalizations and body language
Interesting facts about elephant herds:
* Herd sizes vary: Some herds are small, with only a few members, while others can number in the dozens.
* Strong bonds: Elephants are highly social animals and form very strong bonds within their herds.
* Long-term relationships: Elephants can remember their family members and maintain relationships for decades.
* Passing down knowledge: The matriarch is a vital source of knowledge for the herd. She remembers locations of water sources, food, and safe havens, and passes this information down to younger generations.
Overall, elephant herds are complex social units with intricate relationships and a strong sense of family. They play a vital role in the ecosystem and are fascinating to study.