Using body characteristics to ID African elephants

How to Identify African Elephants

How to sex African elephants

How to age African elephants

Using tusk characteristics to ID African elephants

Using ear notches & tears to ID African elephants

Using ear lobe size & shape to ID African elephants

Using trunk & face to ID African elephants

Using body characteristics to ID African elephants

Using the tail to ID African elephants

All elephants share the same basic body features, yet some individuals carry unique characteristics that set them apart. Once again, these differences are often caused by humans.

The largest video and audio library of elephant behaviors.

Explore The Elephant Ethogram

Using body characteristics to ID African elephants

Many elephants in many populations (like in the Mara) bear old abscesses from arrow and spear wounds that show up as "bumps/lumps" on their body. These old wounds make very useful identifying marks.

Some elephants are "permanently lame"

A few elephants have "radio collars."

Explore The Elephant Ethogram