18 Coolest Things to Know About Elephants

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18 Coolest Things to Know About Elephants

From long-term memories … to long-distance swimming and communication … Here are 18 of the Coolest things to know about elephants
#18 There are Three Species
You know that elephants are found in Africa and Asia. But there are actually three species. One is found in Asia, and two are found in Africa. When we talk about elephants from that continent, we’re usually referring to the African Bush Elephant, which is the world’s largest living terrestrial animal. But the African Forest elephant is native to humid forests of the Congo Basin and West Africa. Nearly 10 feet high at the shoulder (3 m), forest elephants can weigh about 8,800 pounds (4 metric tons). By most standards, that is a large beast. But those dimensions make them the smallest of the three elephant species.
#17 An Elephant Never Forgets
That’s the old saying. And researchers say it may have a basis in fact. Elephants are very intelligent creatures, and are among the few animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror. They seem to possess cognitive maps that allow them to remember large areas over an extended period of time. Some individuals are able to find the current location of family members.
#16 Cancer-Free Creatures
Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild, which is longer than they survive in captivity. Given their long life spans, researchers say they animals seem to be notably resistant to cancer. With more cells and more time for cell turnover, elephants would seem more likely to develop cell anomalies that trigger the disease. But studies have revealed the presence of a gene that might shield the beasts from developing cancer. Rather than repairing damaged cells, this specialized gene simply destroys them. Other genetic mechanisms preventing cancer may also play a role, but have yet to be discovered. Further research might help humans fight or even prevent the disease.
#15 Voracious Appetites
Huge animals require a lot of fuel to power all that bulk. They’re herbivores that subsist on fruits, plants, shrubs, and just about any type of plant. According to National Geographic elephants can spend up to 18 hours a day feeding. That works out to at least 600 pounds (272 kg) of food every day, or 108 tons a year (98 metric tons). They need to guzzle 50 gallons (200 liters) of water every day to wash it all down!
#14 All About Ears
Along with their trunks, another distinguishing physical characteristic is the elephant’s large ears. Of the three species, the African variety has the largest such ears. And it’s no coincidence that they inhabit the hottest climates. The ear flaps help them to release excess body heat into the atmosphere. Elephants can also flap their ears to enhance the cooling effect. When it comes to communication, their ears can pick up low frequencies. In response to perceived threats, the animals will often spread and snap their ears while shaking their head.
#13 Elephant Tales
There are a couple of myths that are typically linked to these animals, and we’ll examine a few during this episode. If you see an elephant and want to feed it peanuts, think again. They don’t eat peanuts in the wild, and they’re not part of an elephant’s diet in captivity. Actually, they don’t seem to care for peanuts at all, and it doesn’t matter if they’re salted or unsalted.
#12 Tusks
Depending on the species, elephant tusks can weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kg), and reach nearly 10 feet long (3 m). In addition to using them for attacking and self-defense, elephants use their ivory tusks for many other purposes. That includes digging for water, salt, and roots. Breaking down tree branches to access leaves. And moving trees and branches to clear a path. Similar to humans favoring their right or left hand, elephants can favor their right or left tusk. The dominant tusk is usually the one that is more worn down. Here’s another similarity to human handedness: A study showed that a majority of elephants tend to be righties!
#11 More About Tusks
It’s a sad fact that these creatures are hunted for their ivory tusks. But there’s awful another side effect of poaching that is not so well known. Experts say that elephant tusks are smaller now than they were in the past. Since bigger specimens with larger tusks are typically killed, that prevents them from passing on their genes. As a result, their tusks have become smaller over time. We noted earlier that elephant tusks can weigh about 100 pounds (45 kg). But in earlier times weights of 200 pounds (90 kg) weren’t uncommon. In modern times elephants are sometimes born with no tusks at all!

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