Quantitative and qualitative data of footprints produced by Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants and with a discussion of significance towards fossilized proboscidean footprints

Qualitative and quantitative data from elephant footprints made by Asian and African elephants at the Reid Park Zoo and Phoenix Zoo were collected. Measurements of footprints, elephant feet, and stride were collected and permitted calculations for speed. The sediments the footprints were impressed in represent four different types; dry sand, moist sand, a semi-compacted silty-sand, and mud. My data suggest that the size and depth of footprints are not always good indicators of age, size, or sex of a proboscidean, and that the presence or absence of digits in a proboscidean's footprint should only be cautiously used for ichnotaxonomic assignment. Also, data provided here for speed of elephants can be applied to those of fossil proboscidean tracks.