do elephants always stay in families – Animal Behaviour Zone

Question: do elephants always stay in families
- Keywords:
  elephant,
  family,
  group,
  social
Asked by fiona to Ellen on 16 Mar 2017.
- Ellen Williams answered on 16 Mar 2017:
  
  Largely they do yes – maternal herds are generally made up of related females and their offspring. Unless the herd gets too big females will stay in the maternal herd for life. If the herd gets too big then members will branch off to form new herds. Male elephants don’t stay with their families – they usually stay until they reach maturity before branching off on their own or to form bachelor herds.

Question: do elephants always stay in families