amazing facts about elephants

Primates, vol. In regions that have more food, elephants form larger family units. When elephants greet each other, they twine their trunks together. Elephants can eat up to 600 pounds of food in a single day. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, vol. Here are 13 fun facts about elephants. However, some genetic studies suggest that the African elephant is two separate speciessavannah elephants and forest elephants. All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. He took it home treated and fed it until it was well then he and his brothers returned it to the wild only to find it had returned and was lying on their porch. 14. This is why they are constantly on their feet, roaming to search for more food. Reproduction can take place any time of the year for elephants. Elephants transmit their wealth of knowledge from generation to generation through the matriarchs, and this sharing of information has been beneficial to the creatures survival. The abundant sensitivity of elephants is well documented, but their sentient nature is particularly notable in the interest they express toward the dead. When coming out of a bath in a river, elephants will often throw mud or clay on themselves as a layer of protection. Even more impressive, they adjust their schedule to arrive just in time for the fruit they are seeking to be ripe. It is estimated that there are only 25 to 30 tuskers left (bulls with tusk weight of more than 45 kg on each side), with poachers and trophy hunters threatening the remaining individual elephants. 41. 19. African savanna elephants grow larger than forest elephants. Baby elephants stay with mum for up to 10 years. Elephant-World 2019. The blood circulating through the veins in the ears also gets cooled when elephants flap their ears. The closest thing we have to an elephant's trunk is our tongue. In fact, they can measure up to five inches in length. Female Sumatran . The word elephant is derived from the Greek word, elaph, meaning ivory. The African elephant has two distinct species the forest and the savanna elephants. And its not just the adults even calves are huge! The average elephant's skin can be around 2.5 cm thick all over its body. An elephant's skin is 2.5cm thick in most places. 27. Bulls are so strong that they can push and uproot an 18-inch diameter tree using just their trunk, head, or a leg. Birth weight: about 250 pounds. 7. They may touch or nudge each other with their trunks to show affection or get another's attention. 55. Intelligent and gentle, these giants have been around for millennia and while they are much admired and loved by some cultures, they do not always receive the respect and care they so deserve. Elephants do not have the best eyesight, but they have an amazing sense of smell. "An Asian Elephant Imitates Human Speech." The African bush elephant is the largest of the species and has larger than its Asian counterpart. Elephants are vertebrates who are warm-blooded and produce milk to nurse their babies. Cookie Settings, A Nostalgic Trip Awaits at the World's Largest Lunchbox Museum, A 5,000-Mile-Wide Mass of Seaweed Is Heading for Florida and Mexico, See the New Moonwalk Spacesuit Designed for NASA's Artemis Program, The True History Behind Hulu's 'Boston Strangler' Movie. They are famous for splashing and showering themselves and others with sprays from their trunks. Female and male African elephants have tusks, but only the male Asian elephants have tusks. Elephants also spend most of their time foraging every day and spend only two to three hours actually sleeping. The human must protect and save this animal .Thank You for this Here are 17 facts about African elephants that you need to know: 1. 13. Male elephants usually leave the matriarch group when they are 12 to 15, but not all male elephants are loners. "Elephas maximus: Asiatic elephant." Were glad you enjoyed these fun elephant facts! Skin folds help retain moisture and keep the animals cool, which means that either specie has evolved to adapt to its habitat. Elephants are also considered as the heaviest animals of the world, usually, Elephants weight up to 10 thousand kg and some very large elephants have been found to weigh up to 32 thousand kg. It may not come as a shock that elephants enjoy playing in the water. But they also specialize in low frequency rumbles and are able to pick up sounds in an unusual way. There are only around 48,00052,000 individuals left in the wild. Bathing helps get rid of pests and parasites. Captive-born calves measured between 100-120 kg (220 -260 lb) at birth. A matriarch of a herd will usually teach young ones how to behave with other elephants. "Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) Reassure Others in Distress." . Elephants sleep very little. "Elephant Natural History: A Genomic Perspective." Behavioral Ecology, vol. Male elephants usually take no responsibility in raising their young ones. "Loxodonta cyclotis: African Forest Elephant." Note that not all elephants, Asian or African, develop tusks as adults. Elephants have been known to induce their own labor by self-medicating with plants. Animal Diversity Web. 2. Asian elephants in particular, which inhabit one of the planets most densely populated areas, are unable to coexist with the expanding human population. The African elephant includes forest elephants and bush or savannah elephants. Tusks continue growing throughout their lives. An elephants tusks continues to grow throughout their life. About 90% of these animals were decimated due to poaching. This enormous size of their ears is because of the fact that they help keep the elephant cool in high temperature. He can pick up small objects such as peanuts using his trunk. 29. Your money could go further if you pay monthly by Direct Debit: this "Elephant Trunks form Joints to Squeeze Together Small Objects." Sign up to get the latest WWF news delivered straight to your inbox. Researchers in Japan attempted to train Asian elephants to use a computer touch screen panel. Even among unrelated animals, elephants show interest, examining, touching, and smelling the deceased animal. If elephants seem to laugh and smile while bathing, its because it is a pleasurable activity for them. However, sadly in 2012, after a sudden heart attack, Anthony passed away. Baby elephants cant use their trunk right away, because they have no muscle tone. 5. Elephants also demonstrate empathetic behavior and targeted helping where they coordinate with each other to help a sick or injured individual. Elephants prefer living near water bodies because they consume water in large quantity. One of the three elephants, when presented with different quantities, was able to choose the panel that displayed more fruit. (2,268 to 6,350 kilograms . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species2008, e.T12392A3339343, doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T12392A3339343.en, Choudhury, A., et al. August 12 is World Elephant Day. 10) An African elephant trunk can have over 50,000 muscles in it. Elephants are the largest living land animals on earth. Elephants are herbivores (vegetarians), eating a diet of grass, fruit, leaves, twigs, and tree bark. Great explanation of how elephant-wise/elephant-smart/and wonderful they are. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, vol. This is why their trunks are quite flexible and capable of doing plenty of things. Some will live in all male groups. Researchers have observed elephants making repeated visits, attempting to assist expired animals, and calling out for help. But they arent lonersthey live in all-male groups. Their presence outside of his home signified that they were mourning the demise of their friend; and after two days, they went back to their place in the reserve. Elephants have a gland between the ear and the eye, just beneath the surface of their skin. However, a large concentration of the neurons (97.5%) is found in the cerebellum. My point is that we still have a lot to learn about the creatures we share this planet with and they may have things that they can teach us. Luke Ward is the founder of The Fact Site. 1. This is their way of talking and yes, singing. Over 150,000 muscles and nerves provide the trunk's flexibility! Elephants are known for their large ears, tusks made of ivory and their trunks. If they had thicker hair, they would have a harder time staying cool where they live. 6. Researchers at Amboseli National Park in Kenya played back the voices of speakers from two different groupsone that preys on the elephants, and another that does not. 2. The most expensive coffee brands in the world make coffee from the droppings of Thai elephants. Sarah Zielinski is an award-winning science writer and editor. An elephant trunk is also called a proboscis. Females can continue to have offspring until they are about 50 years old. 9. Elephants communicate in a variety of ways - including sounds like trumpet calls (some sounds are too low for people to hear), body language, touch and scent. Elephants are considered a keystone species, meaning that they play a crucial role in their ecosystem by shaping the landscape and providing habitat for other animals. Watch the full lesson Why elephants never forget Alex Gendler, 5 places where any kid can learn how to code, Thank you for this informative lesson. They. Advertising Notice Asian elephants are usually found in Southeast and South Asia. "Asian Elephant." The elephants settled in the reserve and led their lives while Anthony was bonding with them and taking care of them. New-born calves weigh around . fun facts: elephants and hyraxes are the ." Bailey Bodeen on Instagram: "got pooped on so much but it was an amazing day!! Did you know that baby elephants can drink up to 3 gallons of their mothers milk every day? The elephants bristly hair helps them cool down. Bull elephants periodically go intomusth, when testosterone levels are up to 60 times higher than normal. 15. The average adult elephant poops 80 pounds a day! Elephants use their trunks to suck up water to drink it can contain up to 8 litres of water. 119-128., doi:10.1007/s10329-019-00766-5. Elephants have evolved asixth toe, which starts off as cartilage attached to the animals big toe but is converted to bone as the elephant ages. Amazing Facts About the Sumatran Elephant. Male elephants court female elephants by using rituals involving different affectionate gestures and nuzzles. Asian elephants are threatened by habitat loss and conflict with humans. Bull (male) elephant groups are nomadic. The elephant has enough control over their power to be able grasp and lift a raw egg with the trunk without breaking the shell. Given what we now know about elephants, and what they continue to teach us about animal intelligence, it is more important than ever to make sure that these magnificent creatures do not vanish. Global Sanctuary for Elephants. 15 Fun Facts About Elephants Tyrone Bennett December 14, 2020 1. Among other elephant facts, this is the one you can tell your friends and family and impress them with your knowledge about elephants. However, some genetic. The African elephant is labeled as a vulnerable species while Asian elephants are endangered species. When the elephants heard the voices of the group they feared, they were more likely to act defensively by grouping tightly together and smelling the air to investigate. 16. thank you for making this program!! Fast Facts: Baby Elephants. Elephants are herbivores. They can weigh up to 5tonnes and reach 9ft in height! Their skin is about one inch thick. Ive often thought when elephants go rouge its a reasonable outrage on how they are treated. Want to know more about elephants? If an Elephant dies, its family members take very good care of the bones. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. A potentially-large tusked elephant can be defined as any elephant younger than 35 years of age, where at least one tusk weighs 60 lbs (~27 kg) and consequently the elephant's tusk/tusks have the potential, given normal wear and tear, to weigh a minimum of 80-100 lbs when 50-60 years old. One studyfound that they avoid eating a type of acacia tree that is home to ants. It is interesting to note that elephants are gifted with 6 sets of molars in a lifetime. These traumatic experiences also negatively impact learning. When selective individuals are killed in a cull or by poachers, young elephants lose vital social information that would have been passed down by adults. And the calves drink their mothers milk for about two years, sometimes longer. Fascinating Facts About Elephants Elephants can spend up to 18 hours a day eating and grazing. 56. Elephants actually play an important role to their region's ecosystem and biodiversity. 2. In his spare time, he loves to explore the world, drink coffee & attend trivia nights. An elephants trunk is similar to our fingers in that he can do certain tasks with it. supports our long-term planning and helps to keep our administration costs down. sincerely i dont know this informations about elephants . It is possible for an elephant family unit to meet and bond with other units. Based on sheer size alone, it's surprising to discover that the elephant's closest living relative is the rock hyrax, a small, furry herbivore native to Africa and the Middle East that looks similar to a rodent. 42. 2023 TheFactFile.Org. Baby elephants usually weigh around 48 pounds. At birth, a baby elephant can weigh 120kg - thats almost 19 stone. Fun Facts About Elephants 1. 47. This is why those that work closely with them have to get a vaccination to prevent it. 1, 2019, pp. So it should come as no surprise that elephants who experience tragedy, like witnessing a family member being killed by poachers, have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. One example is Project Orange Elephant in Sri Lanka, which incentivizes farmers to plant orange trees around their homes and garden plots; elephants dislike citrus, and the farmers gain an additional crop to sale for profit. If an elephant herd comes across a lone elephant who has died, they will still grieve or show respects to it. 11) African Forest elephants and African Savannah elephants have very large ears. It is only a myth that elephants are afraid of mice. More remarkable still, those brains develop extremely quickly as the animal grows, much like whales and primates but completely unlike other mammals. The African elephant has the largest brain in the animal kingdom - it can weigh up to 5kg! Elephants are constantly eating (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 Elephants can recognize other elephant carcasses. The population of savanna elephants declined by 8% per annum during the years 2007 to 2014. Please click on this logo for more information. Swimming is a necessary skill for elephants as they cross rivers and lakes when searching for food. All Rights Reserved. Elephants cannot jump, gallop or canter. 2023 The Fact Network Ltd | All Rights Reserved |. An elephants heart weighs between 27 and 46 pounds. Researchers theorize that because his primary social contact while growing up was with humans, he learned to mimic words as a form of social bonding. fun facts: elephants and hyraxes are the closest living relatives to manatees! thank you for all the great facts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not only are their crops saved, but the farmers also get additional income from the honey. Elephants are gentle creatures that captivate our hearts and imaginations. Elephants have a developed hippocampus, which is the region in the brain that controls emotions and spatial awareness. 4. #5: Cartoons lieelephants dont like peanuts. But what most people dont realize is, elephants are even more amazing when you discover some really awesome facts! African elephants Scientific Name: Loxodonta Type: Mammals Diet: Herbivore Group Name: Herd Average Life Span In The Wild: Up to 70 years Size: Height at the shoulder, 8.2 to 13 feet Weight: 2.5. African elephants have more wrinkles than Asian elephants. Unfortunately, with only 40,000-50,000 left in the wild, this species is classified as endangered. They can smell water from many kilometres away. Elephants are known to have a type of tuberculosis which can be transferred to humans. If elephants seem cool and collected, it is probably because their pulse is slow at just 27 beats a minute. The elephant is the world's largest animal that lives on earth. An elephant's trunk has no bones. The leader is usually the oldest and strongest. An elephant will spend about 16 hours eating in a single day. Networking & debating APP subscribers only, TRUSTED CONSERVATION PROJECTS An elephants skin is 2.5cm thick in most places. And to everyones surprise, the elephants marched from one corner of the reserve to the other, and came to Anthonys home and stood outside of it. Elephants use their ears to radiate excess heat away from their bodies. Considering their size, it is surprising how fast they can move. An adult elephant requires up to 300kg of food and 160 litres of water per day. But that is not all. Despite its appearance, the hyrax still has a few physical traits in common with elephants. Molars are in six sets of four, as one set is worn down it gets replaced by the next set pushing in from behind. "African Elephants Use Plant Odours to Make Foraging Decisions Across Multiple Spatial Scales." A fully grown male elephant can drink up to 212 L (55 gallons) of water within five minutes. Check out some videos of cute baby elephants. Sorry for the rambling but please know I have learned so much about the beautiful elephants. According to some estimates, they produce nearly 100 kilograms or 220 pounds of dung every day. When elephants swim, they use their trunk as a snorkel. . We know that elephants are sensitive souls, with strong bonds to their family members, a need for comfort, and a long memory. Unfortunately Man has completely destroyed so many things without ever having learnt how miraculous they were. 139-167., doi:10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-110838. They communicate with each other over distances up to 10 km via low-frequency rumbles, again picked up via the feet. 22, no. 6, 2000, pp. Top 10 Facts About Elephants An adult elephant needs to eat up to 330lbs of food every day. 33. Elephants are a member of the order Proboscidea, to which animals that have a trunk belong. Elephantsdont like peanuts. Decoding science, Natural history, Poaching, Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY Privacy Statement African elephants tend to use their long ears for reasons such as signalling others and protection. 9. Elephants eat up to 50 tons of food each year. Males tend to go through cycles where they are instinctively aggressive. Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS 25. ", Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography / Getty Images, Elephants Don't Just TrumpetThey Also Squeak, 10 Extraordinary Facts About Elephant Trunks, 10 Extraordinary Facts About the Elusive Okapi, Stretchy, Telescoping Skin Is the Key to Elephant Trunks, 8 Incredible Animals Being Hunted Into Extinction, Adopt an elephant through the World Wildlife Foundation, Elephant Natural History: A Genomic Perspective, Elephants Can Determine Ethnicity, Gender, and Age From Acoustic Cues in Human Voices, Effects of Social Disruption in Elephants Persist Decades After Culling, FissionFusion Processes Weaken Dominance Networks of Female Asian Elephants in a Productive Habitat, Elephant Trunks form Joints to Squeeze Together Small Objects, Watch an Elephant Count Simply by Using Its Sense of Smell, African Elephants Use Plant Odours to Make Foraging Decisions Across Multiple Spatial Scales, Elephant Behavior Toward the Dead: A Review and Insights from Field Observations, Unique Numerical Competence of Asian Elephants on the Relative Numerosity Judgment Task, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. 52. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. There are some innovative efforts to deter elephants away from human settlements and farms, reducing friction between the two species. Their beneficial impact on biodiversity in large unfenced ecosystems and their potentially negative impact on same in fenced environments, make them a key species in Africa. untrue, crows, apes and likely other animals mourn their dead. When flapped, they act as big fans, cooling the blood that runs close to the surface behind their ears. Were determined to stop the illegal wildlife trade by supporting community scouts, rangers, sniffer dogs and wildlife trade monitoring networks, to deter poachers and stamp out demand from would-be buyers. The trunk can detect vibrations, suck water and gently stroke. 35. #11 Elephants are the only non-human animals to mourn their dead Elephants sleep very little. 4. They have a poor hearing, despite having such large ears. Over 150,000 muscles and nerves provide the trunks flexibility. A newborn elephant can stand up shortly after being born. Asian elephantsdont run. This gland is called musth. It takes a female 22 months from conception to have a. You can unsubscribe at any time. But you might not know some fun elephant facts, such as not every Asian elephant will grow a tusk? The matriarch of the herd carries the knowledge of the elders and shares essential information with theyoung including how to respond to a variety of dangers and where to find food and water. Asian elephants are also poached, and since only males have tusks, this also leads to a shortage of males in the breeding population and a lack of genetic diversity. World Elephant Day 2022: 12 Incredible Facts About Elephants. 141, 2018, pp. Elephants are descended from an ancient elephant specie that walked the earth about 56 million years ago in Africa. And when an elephant rumbles a call, it could be intended for family members far out of sight. Despite their size, elephants can be turned off by the smallest of critters. When male elephants are in musth, they exhibit erratic, unpredictable, and dominant behavior. And they are the only mammals in the world who cannot do so. 60. For up to 16 hours a day elephants can be found feeding on a variety of plant life. Elephants show affection to the other members of their herd by stroking other elephants head and back with their trunk to console or comfort them. Their body mass allows them to enjoy good buoyancy and float in the water or, if they choose, submerge themselves for a dive. Elephants are the largest living land animal. An elephants ears help dissipate heat. "Seismic Properties of Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Vocalizations and Locomotion." Elephants are some of the most intelligent creatures on earth. 111, no. Number 9 should say infrasonic rumbles, not infrared. 8. An adult males tusk grows about 7 inches each year. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. African elephants will avoid eating a type of acacia tree because many ants live in these trees and they dont want to get ants in their sensitive trunks. You are about to make an exciting discovery about elephants, which Im sure will make you appreciate these amazing creatures much better. They can consume from 300 to 600 pounds of food every single day. African bush elephant calves, when born, are around 90 cm (3 feet) in height. 61, no. This large mammal can drink up to 80 gallons of water in one single day. This cooled blood re-circulates through the animals body and helps regulate its core body temperature. Young and adolescent males stay with the herd until they are about 12 or 15 years old. by regularly surveying them and fitting GPS collars to track their movements, to keep both elephants and people safe. "Watch an Elephant Count Simply by Using Its Sense of Smell." Elephant tusks never stop growing. AMAZING FACTS ABOUT ELEPHANT BEHAVIOR 25) Elephants have deep family bonds and tight-knit groups of related females and their offspring. To maintain such a large body, elephants need to eat a lot of food. Males enter stages referred to as must where they are in a state of madness for a short period of time. 17. African herds are matriarchal. 50. Sign up to be kept informed about our conservation work and how you can help such as fundraising, campaigning and events. It may not be as thick as those in other animals, however. The login page will open in a new tab. de Waal. Instead, they siphon the water using their trunk, then pour it into their mouths. Frontiers in Zoology, vol. 3, no. With over 50,000 muscles in the trunk, this helps a young elephant figure out "how to control and manipulate the muscles in the trunk so that it can fine-tune its use.". African elephants drink 60 liters of water a day while the Asian elephant drinks 40 liters of water on an average per day. As farmers encroach on elephant habitats to plant crops, conflicts between the animals and humans have led to the retaliatory killing of elephants. Elephants use them to breathe and to perform other important tasks, such as lifting things, showing affection, and even spraying water. The elephants sense of smell is estimated to be four times that of a bloodhound or 160 times that of a human. 1. Elephants eat grasses, leaves, shrubs, fruits and roots depending on the season and their habitat. But occasionally, we may get things wrong, or information becomes outdated. Thank you! Each elephant has completely unique ears. "Elephants Can Determine Ethnicity, Gender, and Age From Acoustic Cues in Human Voices." After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Female elephants can have babies until they are in their 50s. The tusks of an elephant can weigh up to 200 pounds and can grow up to 10 feet in length. 13. In comparison, the average height of an Asian elephant is 6.5 to 11.5 feet . This process also helps reduce deforestation. They can swim for long distances. Only male Asian elephants grow tusks. Every day, all around the world, we're working with local communities to protect our amazing planet. Elephants have 26 teeth in all, 24 of these are molars and the remaining two are the tusks. Elephants can run up to 25 miles per hour, which is amazing for such a large creature. Some research shows that the average EQ is 2.14 for Asian elephants, and 1.67 for African. They're made from ivory; a much desired object. Amazing! They also use their trunks as a snorkel when swimming. In Africa, conditions are more harsh, so the elders' wisdom is more valuable; in parts of Asia where predators are few and resources are plentiful, there's not as much need for strong leadership. An elephant's memory is not limited to its herd, nor is it limited to its species. I have watched them grieve, recognize humans and horses that have been separated for a long time. The more older females there are in the group, the better the chances that the calf will survive. Elephant Sense and Sensibility. Female elephants live tight-knit lives with their families, while male elephants are more on the introverted side and live most of their lives by themselves. Their top speed is about 24 km/hr. You will learn something about everything! Calves are born with curly black or red hair on their foreheads. Kids who love elephants find them fascinating because of their sheer size and gentle demeanor. Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. Baby elephants, or calves, sometimes suck their trunks just like human babies suck their thumbs. They make a variety of sounds, including snorts, roars, cries, and barks. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, vol. She is the author of "The Ethiopian Wolf: Hope at the Edge of Extinction. Long after an animal has died, elephants will return and touch the remaining bones with their feet and trunks. Now, that is a lot of shit! Elephants may look bald from a distance but they actually have hair. For more information, read our article Can elephants run, or do they just walk faster? Thank you so very much Elephants also face human threats. Elephants are pregnant for a whopping 22 months. 53. Well, learn that their trunk is actually the fusion of the nose and upper lip. 3. Check out our list of 115 elephants to learn more about these wonderful creatures! 59. The smell of water is so familiar to them that they can recognize it from a distance of three miles! 1. After six such sets, elephants run out of teeth, cannot chew food, lose condition and either fall prey to disease or predators or starve to death. Elephants communicate with each other using a variety of sounds, gestures, and body language, which is one of the interesting elephant facts for kids especially. Each herd consists of anywhere from 8-100 Elephants, all led by the oldest (and often largest) matriarch. The manatee, the rock hyrax, and the elephant share a common ancestor, Tethytheria, which died out more than 50 million years ago. Although their hide looks tough, elephants have sensitive skin that can get sunburned. As long as they feel secure and they have plenty of food it is something that will regularly occur.