African elephants inhabit different parts of Africa south of the Sahara. But nowadays their distribution range is just one third of the area they inhabited in former times. They can be found in savannas as well as in forests, in semi-deserts and in mountain regions up to 5000 m height. A group of African elephants consists of several females and their young. In most groups the females are closely related.
Males form groups of their own.
They join the females during the mating season. Old males sometimes lead a solitary life. The young are born after a pregnancy of about two years. While giving birth the mother is supported by other females. These females help the mother caring for her young during the early time of its life.