Elephant Beside on Baby Elephant

Mother elephants may be the most protective moms on the planet. Herds of females and children usually travel together in a circle with the youngest member on the inside, protected from predators. If one child becomes an orphan, the rest of the herd will adopt him. Mother elephants are extremely affectionate and love to keep their babies (calves) by their side. In nature, males stay with their mothers until they reach their teenage years and females stay with them for their entire lives. But not all elephants get to spend long, happy lives together.