Two Paths in One Journey: How Male and Female Sumatran Elephants Live Different Lives

We all know that elephants are social animals that move from one place to another in a group called herds. At first, maybe we think that there's nothing special about a bunch of elephants walking together. But if we look closer, there are some interesting facts about the male and female elephants that live quite different lives.

These differences aren’t just about their size or tusks. As they are growing to adulthood, they have very different roles, instincts, and ways of navigating the world.

Childhood: Learning with the Herd
Both male and female calves begin life the same way. They are deeply dependent on their mothers and the herd who will protect and take care of them. A newborn elephant will learn everything. From walking and learning to use its trunk to recognising danger in the wild, the baby will always stay close to its mother.

The first little difference between male and female calves will start around the ages of 8 to 15. In an elephant herd, females have a special bond — because the herd is made up mostly of mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers. Beyond raising the young together and offering protection and wisdom passed down through generations, they teach a tight-knit social life that is especially important for female calves — who will grow up to become part of this circle of caretakers.

Male calves, on the other hand, will grow up and take a different role than females. They don’t really do any babysitting duties. But more into their own journey that is more independent, adventurous, and cautious.

Adulthood: Two Different Roads
Different from female elephants that will stay in the herd, growing to be big sisters taking care of the younger ones, teenage male elephants will gradually start spending more time away from the main herd. And after some time, they will leave the herd altogether to begin a more solitary life or form a smaller group with other males.

But don’t get things wrong, this isn’t rejection — it is nature. Males are biologically wired to live more independently. They have more curiosity to explore wider territories and often walk long distances in search of mates or food. Sometimes, adult males form small bachelor groups where they playfully spar to test their strength or practice for domination. However, these male groups will only be temporary, so they won’t stick together for too long. Such a contrast compared to females who will stay and take care of the herd for their whole lives.

Mating and Motherhood
When mature males enter a state called musth — a temporary phase of increased testosterone and aggression — they will be more active in moving place to place to search for receptive female elephants. During this time, they may become more competitive, showing dominance to other males.

After the female gets pregnant, she will carry their baby for nearly 22 months — one of the longest gestation periods in the animal kingdom. After birth, the mother and the other females in the herd care for the calf as a community. And interestingly, the male elephant who biologically is the father will not take part in raising the calf. After mating, male elephants will again go to different directions on their own journeys.

Old Age and Legacy
Female elephants usually live longer than males, sometimes reaching up to 60 years old. The oldest females become the matriarchs, a role of wise leaders who guide their family using their strong memories of food paths, danger zones, and timing of the seasons.

Males, due to their solitary lives and more active movements, will usually face more dangers, especially in human-conflict zones. Sadly, they are also more likely to be targeted by humans because of their larger tusks.

When elephants feel that they are reaching the end of their lives, they will return to the forest and find a comfortable place that they know to spend their final hours. In some observed cases, their herd members even stay by their side during this ultimate farewell moment. Elephants are known to show signs of grief and remembrance, especially among female herds that spend the whole time together.

Different Roles, Same Worth
Though they live different ways, male and female elephants both play irreplaceable roles in the nature. Males who are more active and curious will help spread seeds over wider areas, keeping the forest ecosystem healthy. Females who are more caring and social carry the cultural knowledge and emotional strength of the herd.

By understanding these differences, we learn not just how to protect elephants better — but also to respect the unique paths they walk. Whether wandering alone or walking side by side, each elephant carries a story worth preserving.