qT=1&tQ=African elephant herds are lead by…&tC=a matriarch.|a dominant male.|no one, herds are only loosely structured.|a dominant male and female.&cC=1&fB=Herds are made up entirely of related females and their offspring, all lead by one elder female. Male elephants sometimes travel with the herd, but generally only approach the herd to mate.<br><br>Elephant herds are usually quite friendly with other herds. Related herds often share the same territory and meet without incident. In fact, the two herds will greet each other affectionately – “shaking hands” with their trunks and caressing each other.