The primary diet of elephants consists mainly of grasses, leaves, fruits, and bark. As herbivores, elephants consume a large volume of vegetation daily, often up to 300 pounds. Their diet varies based on their species and habitat; for instance, African elephants may consume a broader range of plants compared to Asian elephants. Elephants play a critical role in their ecosystems by helping to create clearings in forests and spreading seeds through their dung, which supports plant growth. Their feeding behaviors also shape the landscape and contribute to the diversity of habitats in which they live.