Which continent is native to the Asian elephant?

The Asian elephant is native to Asia. Its modern range stretches across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India and Nepal eastward to Borneo and southward to Sumatra.

The species is scientifically named Elephas maximus and is the only living member of the genus Elephas. It occupies varied habitats, including grasslands, tropical evergreen forests, deciduous forests, thorn forests and cultivated landscapes. Its range was once much broader, but habitat loss, fragmentation and poaching have eliminated elephants from parts of western Asia and reduced populations elsewhere.

A common mix-up is confusing the Asian elephant with Africa’s two living species: the African bush elephant and African forest elephant. Asian elephants generally have smaller, more rounded ears, and only some males grow large tusks. The Asian elephant has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1986.

The species also has a long human history. The earliest evidence of captive use comes from seals of the Indus Valley civilisation, dating to the 3rd millennium BC. Three widely recognised subspecies are the Indian, Sri Lankan and Sumatran elephants.