Elephants live in many peaceful family units. A family unit is made up of mature females and their calves. Every member of the family unit is related. Male elephants live in separate herds. Adult male elephants are called bulls and they like to live alone. They will only join a family to mate. A typical herd averages about 20 to 40 females of all ages. The leader of the herd is usually a mature female. After the baby is nursed for 2 years it will stay with the herd for about another 2 years. When it comes to caretaking and protecting babies from predators, the whole herd pitches in. The mother receives help from aunts, sisters, and cousins who serve as nannies. Known as "allomothers," these baby-sitters are young female elephants learning how to care for babies. Teaching a potential mother how to rear her child is an important task, since the calves' survival depends on it. Since elephants bear young only once every few years, each baby is essential to the herd's ultimate survival. When an elephant in the family dies, the other elephants in the herd will actually grieve over the loss. They will bury their dead with twigs and leaves, and will stay by the grave for hours mourning their loss.

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