The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), a subspecies of the Asian elephant, does not universally possess tusks, contrary to the popular image of all elephants having long ivory incisors. Only certain individuals within the population grow visible tusks, a characteristic strongly tied to the elephant’s sex. This variation is a specific biological trait of the Asian species, setting it apart from its African relatives. Understanding tusk presence requires looking closely at the differences between males and females.
Tusk Presence: The Male and Female Divide
Tusks are elongated, continuously growing incisor teeth that protrude from the upper jaw. In the Indian elephant population, the presence of these prominent tusks is a sexually dimorphic trait, differing significantly between the sexes. Tusked individuals, often called “tuskers,” are almost exclusively male bulls.
Female Indian elephants, or cows, typically do not develop tusks visible outside the mouth. Instead, many females possess small, rudimentary incisors known as “tushes.” Tushes are short and brittle, often barely protruding past the lip line.
The Phenomenon of Tuskless Males
A significant exception to the male-only tusker rule involves tuskless males known by the local term, “Makhnas.” These males are born without the large, protruding tusks that characterize a tusker. The trait is a natural genetic variation found in Asian elephants, though its frequency varies considerably by region.
In parts of Northeast India, estimates suggest that tuskless males can account for as much as 60% of the bull population. This higher prevalence is attributed to historical selective pressure, particularly the systematic poaching of tuskers for their ivory. This pressure has favored the survival and reproduction of tuskless males over many generations. Makhnas use their robust body size and the temporary, intense sexual state known as musth to assert dominance and compete for mates, rather than relying on tusks for jousting.
Distinguishing Indian from African Elephants
The pattern of tusk distribution in the Indian elephant differs fundamentally from that of the African elephant species (Loxodonta). In African elephants, both males and females typically possess prominent, visible tusks. While African male tusks are generally larger, the presence of tusks in both sexes is the standard for the African species, unlike the Indian species.
African elephant tusks tend to be much larger, heavier, and more outwardly curved than the tusks found on Indian tuskers. When an Indian bull does possess tusks, they are usually straighter and smaller in comparison. African elephants are also generally larger in overall body size and have significantly larger ears that resemble the shape of the African continent.