Some elephants perform in circuses. Elephants have very sharp memories. They are also excellent communicators, often signaling each other over long distances about food and water sources. Male and female elephants live separately, with the cows and their calves living in family units of about two to four related females and their offspring. These family units are led by a matriarch, usually the eldest female.
Males leave the family upon reaching adulthood, but visit occasionally.
The males, or bulls, live together in loosely knit groups. They live as long as 70 years. The elephant's pregnancy is the longest of any mammal. Many organizations work to save the elephant from extinction. For a broader search of the topic, please see the NGS Publications Index .