Is a highly social animal and must, where possible, never be kept in solitary confinement. Adapts to captivity easily if the boma is well designed and managed to minimize exposure to stressful factors from the surroundings. Is more tolerant of cold conditions than of heat. Has a liking for water and will use available water for drinking and playing, and for spraying over its body to cool off.
Elephants prefer clean, cool water for drinking.
They will drink readily from troughs, but these must be sufficiently robust. Is inquisitive, and will investigate new surroundings thoroughly, both through smell and touch with its sensitive trunk. If they discover a weak point in the boma they will persist in their attempts to escape. If they can get their head through a gap, their body will follow easily. Is sensitive to unfamiliar sounds, even if not from nearby.