Their low-pitched sounds can travel over long distances. When greeting each other, elephants will often intertwine trunks. An experienced elephant trainer can recognize each individual voice of his or her elephants. With good care, elephants may live for 60 to 70 years, a lifespan equivalent to that of humans. They reach adolescence at about 12 years of age, attain sexual maturity at 16 to 18 years of age, and are fully grown by their early 20s.
Elephants learn by emulation, a sign of high mental capacity.
They will respond to some 60 verbal commands, as well as recognize human and animal friends after years of separation. Asian elephants have a long history of close association with humans, especially in the cultures and daily lives in their native lands. Domesticated for thousands of years, elephants first were used as workers in logging, agriculture, and military activities. Ancient religions in India, Sri Lanka, South China, and Java have worshipped gods with elephant heads. According to legend, the future Buddha entered his mother's lap in the form of a white elephant.