Activity Time Budget of the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus Linn.) in the Wild

The activity budget of Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) in Lahugala Kitulana National Park, Sri Lanka was studied. A total number of 60 elephants including 20 adult males, adult females and calves in each were observed during the present study. Recordings were made between 10: 00 and 16: 00 hr. The study identified 16 different behavioral patterns. Behaviours were observed in all types (male, female and calf) was significant difference between types for exploring, fly catching, feeding, flapping ear (Oneway ANOVA). Behaviours were observed in male and female was significant difference between genders for bobbing, flicking leg, mudding, tail swiveling and walking (Two sample T-Test). But there was no significant difference between gender for bathing, drinking, dusting, and standing (Two sample T-Test). Behaviours such as kicking, running and playing were observed only in male, female and calf respectively. Amongst these behaviors, feeding was dominant followed by walking in male, female and calf elephants. The elephant spent much of the time for feeding (male 44.36%, female 46.68% and calf 47.51%) followed by walking and other behaviors. Male spent 38.47% of the time for (walking 16.74%, tail swiveling 8.04%, standing 7.44%, and exploring 6.25%). Female spent 36.14% (walking 13.82%, drinking 10.45%, flapping ear 6.85%, and tail swiveling 5.02%). But other behaviours (including bobbing, bathing, dusting, flicking leg and mudding) were 8.43%. and 4.6% in male and female elephants respectively. Calves exhibited playing 45.13%, flapping ear 3.29%, fly catching 2.37% and exploring 1.67%.