The primary diet of an elephant consists mainly of plant materials. Elephants are herbivorous animals, consuming a wide variety of vegetation, including grasses, leaves, fruits, bark, and shrubs. Their diets can vary significantly based on their habitat; for example, African elephants often feed on large amounts of grasses in savannas, while Asian elephants may prefer fruits and woody plants in forests. On average, an adult elephant can eat between 200 to 300 pounds of food a day, and they spend a significant portion of their time—up to 16 hours—feeding to meet their nutritional needs.