Last updated: 6 October 2026 · By Mohit Bhat, Elefriendride
So, what do elephants eat? Elephants are herbivores, so they eat only plants. Asian elephants eat mostly grasses, along with leaves, roots, vines, twigs, shoots, bark and fruit.
At our sanctuary in Jaipur, each adult elephant eats about 200 to 250 kg of food a day. They keep eating through the day and stop mainly to sleep.
Below is what elephants eat in the wild, what our own elephants eat, and how you can join in at feeding time.
What Do Elephants Eat in the Wild?
According to Smithsonian's National Zoo, wild Asian elephants feed mainly on grasses. They also eat large amounts of browse: leaves, roots, vines, twigs, shoots and bark, plus fruit when they find it.
Finding all that food takes time. The zoo notes that wild elephants spend about three-quarters of the day eating or moving towards food and water, with main feeding times in the early morning, afternoon and night.
Why Do Elephants Eat So Much?
An elephant is a very large animal living on plants. Grass and leaves give little energy per mouthful, so an elephant needs a huge amount of them.
That is why the elephant diet is about quantity, and why eating fills most of an elephant's day. A short meal is never enough; they graze steadily, a trunkful at a time.
What Our Elephants Eat in Jaipur
Our 78 elephants eat a plant-based diet. These are the three foods you will see most often:
- Green fodder: fresh green fodder is one of their favourite foods, and they eat it in large bundles.
- Daliya: broken wheat, which our elephants also love.
- Sugarcane: the food guests usually hand over at feeding time.
Living alongside our elephants, I see them eating almost every time I look. Food is close by through the day, and each elephant's own mahout is there to look after it.
How Much Does an Elephant Eat in a Day?
Smithsonian's National Zoo gives a figure of about 74 to 150 kg of food a day for wild Asian elephants.
Our adult elephants eat about 200 to 250 kg a day, including plenty of fresh green fodder. Fresh fodder holds a lot of water, so a day of food is very heavy.
How Much Water Does an Elephant Drink?
Water matters as much as food. Smithsonian's National Zoo says wild Asian elephants drink about 189 litres, or around 50 gallons, of water a day.
That is enough to fill a large bathtub. In the dry heat of Rajasthan, clean water close by is a key part of daily care.
A Feeding Day, From Morning to Night
Morning: the day starts with food, with the mahout close by. Early morning is also a calm, cool time for guests to visit.
Daytime: eating carries on between rest and visitor time. Each elephant spends only 3 to 4 hours a day with guests.
Evening: more fodder as the day cools down, with the elephants back near their sheds.
Night: the elephants sleep in their sheds. Sleep is the only long break from eating.
Feeding an Elephant as a Visitor
Feeding is often the moment guests remember most. A few simple tips make it safe and fun:
- Offer only the food our team hands you, and follow the mahout's lead.
- Hold sugarcane by one end and let the trunk take it from your hand.
- Stay calm and move slowly; elephants are gentle but very strong.
- Children aged 2 and above can join in, with an adult beside them.
- Wash your hands afterwards, as feeding can be messy.
Fodder and dust get everywhere, so read our guide on what to wear to an elephant sanctuary before you come.
Plan a Feeding Visit in Jaipur
Elefriendride is 10 to 15 km from Jaipur city centre, about 20 to 25 minutes away, and open every day from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A visit usually lasts 2 to 4 hours.
Feeding, painting, walking and safari are included, and bathing runs from March to October. The full experience costs between ₹2,500 and ₹5,500 per person.
See our elephant feeding in Jaipur page for the activity, or the elephant sanctuary in Jaipur page for the full visit. Comparing places? Read how to choose an elephant sanctuary.
About the Author
Mohit Bhat is a tourist guide with 8 years of experience and a member of the Elefriendride team in Jaipur. He lives alongside the sanctuary's elephants, who are like family to him, and specialises in local experiences: Jaipur's culture, sightseeing, wildlife and hands-on activities.
Bring your appetite for fun, and our elephants will bring theirs for sugarcane. See you at feeding time!
Mohit, Elefriendride, Jaipur