Fun Facts About Elephants
Pictured from left to right are the three current types of elephants: African Savannah Elephant, Asian Elephant, and African Forest Elephant. African bush elephants and Asian elephants are listed as endangered and African forest elephants as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). One of the biggest threats to elephant populations is the ivory trade, as the animals are poached for their ivory tusks. Other threats to wild elephants include habitat destruction and conflicts with local people.
Did you know?
- Elephants can suck up to 14 litres of water a time into their trunks and then blow this water into their mouths to drink.
- Elephants use mud to protect themselves from sunburn, insect bites and moisture loss.
- Elephants can walk almost silently, due to the soft padding on their feet.
- Elephants use their feet to listen to the sub-sonic rumblings made by other elephants through vibrations in the ground.
- Female elephants remain pregnant for 2 years – the longest gestation period of all mammals.
- Elephants are highly sensitive and caring animals, and have been observed to express grief, compassion, altruism and play.
- Elephants will pay respect to the bones of their dead by gently touching the skulls and tusks with their trunks and feet.
- Elephants are terrified of bees and ants, so some African farmers protect their fields from elephant damage by lining the borders with beehives.
Coded by Jessica Marciniak