[4] The species appears to have been sexually dimorphic based on the presence of two distinct size clusters among adult remains, with the larger morph likely representing males as in living elephants.

[2] The small island has a highly rugged terrain,[7] reaching 687 metres (2,254 ft) above sea level at its highest point, with very few flat areas.

[8] The ancestors of P. tiliensis probably swam from mainland Anatolia or island hopped from adjacent islands (such as Rhodes, from which a similarly sized unnamed dwarf elephant species is also known[4]), both of which required swimming across several kilometers of open water, over 20 kilometres (12 mi) considering a direct migration from Anatolia from Tilos, even considering lowered sea level during glacial periods.

[11] Terrestrial mammals found on the island in recent or historical times, such as white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), shrews (Crocidura spp.

Remains of a brown bear (Ursus arctos) found in Charadiko cave are assumed to have been a hunting trophy transported to the island by humans.

[4][12][13] Evidence found in the cave (unassociated with the elephants) and elsewhere on the island demonstrates that humans were already present on Tilos by the Final Neolithic period, around 4000-3000 BC, shortly before the beginning of the Bronze Age.