key point
- Lions are the archenemy of elephants.
- Small elephants are the animals most likely to be attacked by predators.
- Snakes pose the greatest threat to elephants.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “…it can kill an elephant” when people talk about drugs. Sure there are drugs and toxins that can kill elephants, but is there something similar in the wild in nature? Turns out, yes — and speaking of animals, some animals can kill elephants. Read on to learn more about the animals that can attack and defeat and even kill elephants, each in their own special way. After all, this isn’t a contest – just being able to take down a proboscis is enough to brag about.
#8: Lion
The lion is the number one natural enemy of the elephant and one of the five giants. As they move and hunt in groups, the lionesses do most of the hunting for everyone, while the males protect the pride. As a hunting pack, a herd of lionesses can outnumber a lone elephant. Although lions can and do hunt on their own, they tend to hunt smaller prey. They’ll only accept something as big as a elephant if they have the numbers to succeed.
If lionesses decide to attack an elephant, they are likely to go in packs and target the young, sick or old as these are weaker and easier to defeat. They were also more likely to target females with shorter tusks and smaller bodies. A lion is strong enough to defeat a baby elephant alone. Lions attack their prey by dragging it down from behind, rather than attacking from the front.
The main prey of lions are zebra, buffalo, wildebeest and giraffe. They usually only go after elephants if there is no easier prey to find and the opportunity presents itself. While lions can survive up to 14 days without food, they need to eat 11 to 16 pounds of meat per day to stay in top shape.
#7: Tiger
Unlike some other predatory mammals, tigers do not move or hunt in packs. Instead, they are alone. When they hunt, they stalk their prey surreptitiously. Then, when they get close enough and the prey is far enough away from others of their kind, they swoop in. Hunting takes place every eight or nine days. When they eat meat, they need to eat about 18kg to last until the next hunt. It makes sense why tigers would kill elephants. However, due to the danger of being trampled to death, tigers tend to prey on young, sick or elderly people. Like any other prey, it kills the elephant by biting its neck.
#6: Alligator
Crocodile attacks on elephants are common when elephant herds live by the river. Territorial saltwater and Nile crocodiles will attack when disturbed, especially during mating season. The most likely thing to kill an elephant is a crocodile biting off the elephant’s trunk. Elephants can die from not being able to eat and drink properly, or even breathe. The crocodile, on the other hand, is most likely to kill baby elephants and is most successful in its waters.
#5: Rhino
The rhino is another member of the Big Five, though it’s not as big or as heavy as the elephant. However, it makes up the difference between pure aggression and other characteristics. Because they often live in the same area, they tend to fight for territory, with elephants winning the most. An elephant weighs about 6 tons and is 12 feet tall, while a rhino weighs 2 tons and is 6 feet tall. On the other hand, it is also twice as fast as an elephant, and is able to strike with its horns, which are sharp enough to pierce an elephant’s thick, tough skin and deliver a blow powerful enough to kill an elephant.
#4: Hyena
Hyenas are much smaller, and there aren’t as many ways to carry out an armed attack on an elephant, so it’s easy to assume that these animals can’t attack, let alone kill, an elephant. But what they lack in size and lethality against big game, they more than make up for in resourcefulness. Like buffaloes, hyenas attack baby elephants in packs, or simply eat them alive. Elephants are most likely to be killed if they are trapped in a mud puddle, or if the calf is far from its mother.
#3: Dingo
Wild dogs are about as good as hyenas at attacking, defeating and killing elephants. However, they prefer to hunt matriarchs or calves in labor in groups. They are opportunistic hunters who will surround an elephant that has wandered into an area it cannot easily leave. Wild dogs are very intelligent and may try to chase elephants or other prey into dangerous areas where there are no good escape routes. They attack in packs, each rushing in for a quick attack while their prey are distracted by attacks from different directions. As a team, a pack of wolves can take down an elephant.
#2: Other Elephants
It’s rare for an elephant to kill another elephant, but it can certainly be done. Mating season is a dangerous time for male elephants, they can get very angry and fight to the death. They will even attack family members, including their own calves, when their hormones are out of control. This usually only happens in areas where elephants feel crowded or where resources are scarce.
#1: Snake
One might think that a giant snake like a reticulated python or boa constrictor might beat an elephant, but that’s not the case. Neither of them has the strength to kill an elephant. That’s where the King Cobra comes in. It is unlikely to waste its venom aggressively attacking animals that are not its prey, but it will bite anyone who disturbs its territory. In doing so, it releases enough venom to kill a full-grown elephant. If it bites the elephant’s trunk, where the skin is thinnest, the elephant will die.
Animals can attack, defeat or kill elephants in many different ways. Many methods involve groups of the same species coming together to take down an elephant, while others involve one-on-one fights that result in fatal attacks. While some animals succeed in killing elephants, in reality, it is life-threatening for the attacker. Elephants are very defensive and attackers are likely to end up losing the battle, which is why old, young, or infirm elephants are the most likely to become prey. It is so difficult and dangerous to observe, let alone hunt, which is why elephants are one of the Big Five.
summarize
Given their enormous size and strength, elephants present few natural dangers. While most animals keep them at arm’s length, elephants do share their territory in fierce competition.
| rank | species | attack method |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cobra | snake strike |
| #2 | other elephants | men fight for territory |
| #3 | wild dog | packet of opportunity attack |
| #4 | hyena | packet attack |
| #5 | rhino | charging and goring |
| #6 | Crocodile | ambush from the water |
| #7 | Tigers | ambush hunter |
| #8 | lion club | group attack |
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
