Facts about Elephants
African elephant ears are at least three times the size of Asian elephant ears. African elephants use their ears as signaling devices and as protective devices to ward off threats. Ears are used to regulate body temperature in both species. The elephants' surface area is small in comparison to their total mass, making it difficult to release excess body heat. Their large, veiny ears act like a radiator; when flapped, the blood flowing through them is cooled, helping to regulate the elephants' body temperature. Every elephant’s ear is unique and is often used for identification purposes (much like a fingerprint). Ear flaps are made of cartilage with thin skin closely attached and are very soft and sensitive. Elephant ears have infrasound capabilities for long-range communication. Elephants essentially walk on tiptoe because of the way their feet are formed. A tough and fatty piece of connective tissue forms the sole. The elastic, spongy cushions on the bottom of elephant feet act as shock absorbers and help elephants move silently. Toes are buried inside the flesh of the foot and not all toes have toenails. Africans have four toenails on the front feet and three on the back; Asians have five on the front and four on the back. The circumference of the forefoot is equal to about half the shoulder height. The pattern of ridges and fissures left behind by an elephant footprint is as distinctive as our fingerprints. Front feet are more circularly formed, back feet are somewhat oval in shape. Elongated oval prints usually indicate an adult male. Elephants drink by filling their trunks with water and then pouring the water into their mouths. African elephants have two fingers on the tip of their trunks, Asians have only one finger and typically use their trunks only to scoop objects up with. Calves can lift about 4.5% of their own weight with their trunks. Elephants can use their trunks for water storage, for sucking up mud and dust to cool off with, and for friendly wrestling matches. When elephants sense danger they will raise their trunks to smell any threat. An elephant charging with its trunk held high is generally bluffing. If the trunk is tucked down, the elephant means business. The African elephant is the largest living land mammal. |
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