Asian elephant

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/asian-elephant

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Elephas maximus
2. What is the lifespan?Approximately 60 years in the wild; longer in well-managed semi-natural captive environments
3. What does an Asian elephant look like?They have smaller ears than African elephants, a concave back, a trunk with one finger‑like tip, thick gray skin with wrinkled patches, and sometimes light spots on the trunk, ears, and neck.
4. How big do Asian elephants get?Females weigh about 2,700 kilograms (roughly 3 short tons) and males can reach up to 4,000 kilograms (about 4.4 short tons).

Pachyderm: A thick-skinned mammal, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus.
Matriarchal: A social system where females, particularly the eldest, hold the primary position of authority.
Ecosystem Engineer: An organism that creates, significantly modifies, or maintains habitats, influencing biodiversity.