Mating System: polygynous

Female Asian elephants bear a single calf (usually) after a gestation of more than a year and a half (18 to 22 months). Their estrus cycle is about 22 days, out of which they are receptive to copulation on only one day, the first day of estrus. There is no seasonality in their reproduction. Females on good quality habitats give birth every three to four years, while the interbirth interval can be much longer among females inhabiting poor quality areas. Newborns weigh about 100 kg and can stand soon after birth. The infant may nurse from its mother or from other lactating females. After a few days it can follow its mother as she goes about her normal activities. Young begin to eat some grass after several months but may continue nursing for 18 months. They also eat their mother's dung, which contains nutrients as well as the symbiotic bacteria that aid in the digestion of cellulose. Mothers continue to supervise their young for several years after weaning. Both sexes become sexually mature at about 14 years of age, but males cannot mate until they can dominate other adult males. Males leave their natal herd at this age, but females remain with their female relatives throughout their lives.

Breeding interval: Under the best of circumstances Asian elephants give birth every three to four years.

Breeding season: Births may occur throughout the year.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Range gestation period: 18 to 22 months.

Average weaning age: 48 months.

Average time to independence: 48 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 14 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 14 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous

Average birth mass: 107000 g.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 3287 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 3287 days.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); post-independence association with parents; extended period of juvenile learning