What Do Male Elephants Eat When Females Are Not Around?

Sexual variation in elephant feeding niche has been attributed to body size differences, primarily studied in areas with spatial overlap between females and males. We studied African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) foraging strategies in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana, a population almost entirely composed of male elephants. In this context, we explored the influences of age and physical condition on the foraging strategy of males. We recorded feeding data by direct observation of different age classes and physical conditions. Younger males (10–20 years) exhibited more selective feeding behaviour (i.e., selected smaller branches, browsed for shorter periods and consumed fewer mouthfuls per feeding bout) than older males. Elephants with good physical condition exhibited a more selective feeding approach than elephants with poor physical condition. Age and physical condition did not affect the height at which they were feeding or the height of plants they were feeding on. The younger males (10–20 and 21–25 years) focused on feeding areas with their preferred species, while the oldest males selected areas that offered a high density of edible species. All-male elephant populations provide clearer insights into how males primarily adapt their individual foraging strategies to their size and physical condition.