Elephants are the largest land animals in existence. Three species are currently identified: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. Elephantidae is the only surviving family of the order Proboscidea; missing members include mastodons. The Elephantidae family also contains several extinct groups, including mammoths and straight-fanged elephants. African elephants have larger ears and a concave back, while Asian elephants have smaller ears and a convex or flat back. The distinctive features of all elephants include a long proboscis called a trunk, tusks, large ear flaps, massive legs, and hard but sensitive skin. The trunk is used for breathing, for bringing food and water into the mouth, and for grasping objects. Tusks, which are derived from the teeth of the incisors, serve both as a weapon and as tools for moving objects and digging. Large ear flaps help maintain a constant body temperature as well as communication. The pillar-like legs carry their great weight.

Elephants are scattered in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia and are found in a variety of habitats, including savannas, forests, deserts, and swamps. They are herbivorous and stay close to the water when accessible. They are considered key species due to their impact on their environment. Elephants have a fission synthesis society in which many family groups come together to socialize. Females (cows) tend to live in family groups, which may consist of a female with calves or several females related to offspring. Groups that do not include bulls are usually led by the oldest cow known as the matriarch.

Males (bulls) leave their family groups when they reach puberty and can live alone or with other males. Adult bulls interact mainly with family groups when looking for a mate. They enter a state of high testosterone and aggression known as must, which helps them gain dominance over other males, as well as reproductive success. Calves focus on their family groups and rely on their mothers for three years. Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild. Communicates through touch, sight, smell, and sound; elephants use long-distance and infrasound seismic communication. The intellect of the elephant is compared to that of primates and cetaceans. They seem to be self-aware and seem to be sympathetic to dead and dead family members.

African bush elephants and Asian elephants are listed as endangered, and African forest elephants as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). One of the biggest threats to elephant populations is the ivory trade, as animals are poached because of their ivory tusks. Other threats to wild elephants include habitat destruction and conflicts with local people. Elephants are used as working animals in Asia. In the past, they were used during the war; today, they are often controversially display in zoos or exploited for fun in circuses. Elephants are very well known and have been present in art, folklore, religion, literature, and popular culture.

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