Maturity, sexual: [see also: puberry] (Laws 1969:1'93,197-198,214-21.5; Hanks 1972b:1'3,17,19,20; Williamson 797 6:89,90,97 ; Buss 1 990: 1 1 0-1 1 1,17 5; Poole 1 994:33 5-337) Age at which reproduction becomes physicalJy possible; approximately 9-72 years for females, 14-15 years for males. Under adverse environmental conditions (e.g. very high population-densities) maturity may be delayed until 20+ years (Laws '1969 197,214). In captivity both sexes may reach sexual maiurity much earlier (e.g. 4+ years in a female [Dieringer 1997)). Especially in wild males, physical maturity does not mean they will mate successfully. Successful mating is often delayed until males become significandy larger and attain Musth, at 29+ years of age.
