Animals That Can Kill An Elephant

Lions As a hunting pack, a group of lionesses has power in numbers against a solitary elephant. Though lions can and do hunt on their own, they tend to do so with smaller prey. They will only take on something as large as an elephant if they have the numbers to succeed.

Tigers Tigers, unlike some other predatory mammals, do not move or hunt in packs. Instead, they are solitary. When they hunt, they stealthily stalk their prey. They then pounce when they are close enough and the prey is far away enough from others of their kind.

Crocodiles Crocodile attacks on elephants are common when populations of elephants live near the river. The highly territorial saltwater and Nile crocodile species attack when anyone disturbs them, especially during the mating season. What is most likely to kill an elephant is the crocodile biting the elephant’s trunk off.

Rhinos The rhinoceros is another member of the Big Five, although it is not nearly as large or heavy as an elephant. However, it makes up for the difference between pure aggression and other traits. Because they often live in the same areas, they tend to fight over territory, with the elephant winning the most.

Hyenas Hyenas are much smaller and don’t have much in the way of armed attacks against elephants, so it’s easy to assume there’s no way these animals could attack, much less kill an elephant. But what they lack in size and killing power against large prey, they make up for in wits.

Wild dogs Wild dogs are about as capable as hyenas in being able to attack, defeat, and kill an elephant. However, they prefer to hunt in packs against a mother elephant giving birth or a baby elephant. They are opportunistic hunters who will surround an elephant that has wandered into an area it can’t easily get out of.

Other elephants It is rare for an elephant to kill another elephant, but it can certainly be done. Mating season is a dangerous time for male elephants who become incredibly angry at each other and will fight to the death. They will even attack family members, including their own calves, while their hormones are out of control.

Snakes When it comes to Kind Cobra it is not likely to waste its venom on offensively attacking animals that are not its prey, but it will bite if it feels threatened. In doing so, it can release venom that is enough to kill even a full-grown elephant. If it bites an elephant’s trunk, which is where the skin is most thin, the elephant is sure to die.