What is an adult male elephant called?

An adult male elephant is called a bull.

The term “bull” is used for adult male elephants across the living species. Adult females are called cows, and young elephants are calves. Unlike many female-led elephant family groups, adult bulls commonly live alone or in loose bachelor groups after separating from their birth families.

Male elephants usually leave their family groups around adolescence, with the timing varying by species and population. They may travel independently or associate with other males, while joining female groups mainly when seeking mates. Older bulls can play important social roles by influencing younger males and helping them learn appropriate behavior.

A notable feature of adult bulls is musth, a recurring state associated with elevated testosterone, heightened aggression, and reproductive competition. During musth, males produce a distinctive fluid from temporal glands and may travel widely to find receptive females. “Bull” is not exclusive to cattle: the word is also used for adult males of several large animals, including elephants, rhinoceroses, hippos, and whales.