As the name suggests, the Sumatran Elephant is endemic to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is one of the three sub-species of Asian Elephant that also includes the Indian and the Sri Lankan Elephant. However, this sub-species has become an endangered species due to the drastic decline of their population in the last 75 years. It has been estimated that these animals have lost about 80 % of their total population within just a span of three generations due to loss of habitat, mainly caused by the expansion of palm-oil plantations.
As a sub-species of Asian Elephant, the Sumatran Elephants are considerably smaller in size than the African Elephants. This sub-species can reach a maximum height of 3.2 m(10.5 ft) and can weigh as much as 4000 kg (8,800 lb). Compared to Sri Lankan and Indian Elephants, the Sumatran subspecies have a lighter skin color and minimum depigmentation marks on the body. The females are smaller and lighter than the males and have shorter tusks that are barely visible. In comparison to the tusks of the other Asian sub-species, the tusks of the male Sumatran subspecies are relatively shorter.
The average lifespan of the Sumatran Elephant is 60 years. It may vary depending on food supply and living condition. In captivity, the Sumatran Elephants that were provided with adequate food and given proper health treatment have lived up to the age of 75 years. On the other hand, many elephants living in the wild could barely reach the minimum age of 60 years due to malnourishment and various life threats.
Relative species
The Sumatran Elephant is a subspecies of the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) and shares its genus with the Sri Lankan (E. m. maximus) and Indian Elephant (E. m. indicus). Out of the three recognized subspecies of Asian Elephant, the Sumatran Elephant is the smallest in size. The males of this species also bear the smallest tusks. Unlike the Indian and Sri Lankan Elephant, the skin coloration of Sumatran Elephant is considerably lighter. These elephants also exhibit very less depigmentation marks on their skin whereas the Sri Lankan Elephants have very distinctive skin discoloration marks on their forehead, ears and belly.
