Elephant mothers are great care givers. They frequently touch their calves with their trunk and feet, bathe them, help lift them over obstacles or out of wallows, and protect them from danger and the hot sun. An elephant calf may grasp its mother's tail with its trunk as it follows along. Though they mature between ten and twenty years of age, elephants continue growing for life. They may also maintain family relationships for life.
Elephant society is matriarchal.
In other words, herds are led by a female. The simplest elephant group is a singe female with one or more young. Elephant herds merge and separate according to the seasons. Thus, clans of fifty or more may join into larger herds after spring rains, when fresh grass is abundant, or when migrating. Only young males belong to such herds, usually being driven out when they reach puberty.