Elephants play a vital role in their ecosystems and contribute to tourism and income to communities in many regions. Unfortunately, with only 40,000-50,000 specimens left in the wild, the species is classified as endangered. To mark World Elephant Day, a date dedicated to the conservation and protection of this beautiful animal, here are 12 facts about elephants that you may not know.
1. Elephants are the largest land animals in the world
As the largest land mammal on the planet, the average male elephant can reach up to 3m in height and weigh up to 6 tonnes. Elephants also have large brains that weigh around 4-6 kg. This is the largest weight for a land mammal. Those that live in the wild can live up to 60-70 years.
2. African and Asian elephants are the two main species
Apart from their geographical location, African elephants are significantly larger in size with larger ears in the shape of the African continent. In contrast, Asian elephants are smaller and have more rounded ears. The two species also have different trunks: African elephants have two recognizable spikes on the tip of their trunks, Asian elephants have only one.
Recent estimates indicate that there are about 415,428 African elephants in the wild, half of which are found in Botswana and Namibia, South Africa. The Asian species has fallen to less than 30,000 specimens.
3. Asian elephants as an endangered species
The Asian elephant is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as an endangered species, and its population continues to decline day by day. According to some estimates, the elephant population has declined by 50% in the last 75 years, and there are probably only 20,000 Asian elephants left in the wild.
They can be found in the forested regions of India and in Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. About a third of Asian elephants currently live in captivity, many forced into tourism in the wild.
4. Elephants communicate with vibrations through their feet
This is one of the most interesting facts about elephants: they can communicate through their feet. There are many methods by which elephants can communicate. They can "call" each other – usually when greeting family members – they use body language and typical senses such as touch and smell. However, one of the most unique ways elephants communicate is through seismic signals, where they create vibrations in the ground and allow other elephants to detect and perceive them through their feet and bones. The communication channel can operate at incredibly long distances and speeds.
5. Elephant family units are matriarchal
The leader of the elephant group is usually the oldest and largest adult female member of the family, and he leads the herd when traveling long distances for food and water. The leader is also responsible for ensuring stability and resolving conflicts. However, members of the family unit also often exhibit exceptional teamwork when it comes to group protection, foraging and sharing the responsibilities of caring for a baby elephant.
6. Elephants' trunks function as their hands
An elephant's trunk is more than a nose for sniffing and breathing. It functions as a long arm to pick up food and objects, dig in soil and tree trunks, and even play. Elephants also rely on their trunks to take in water. They can pour up to 12 liters of water into their mouths. They enjoy a refreshing shower by sucking up water and splashing it back over their body with the help of the handy trunks. There are about 100,000 different muscles in the proboscis alone, with "fingers" or spikes at the end that help lift small objects.
7. Elephants' tusks are actually their teeth
Elephant tusks are actually enlarged incisors that first appear when elephants are about two years old. These tusks serve several important functions for elephants. They are used for digging to reach food and water sources, and for stripping bark from trees. For male elephants, tusks are particularly important - they are usually larger and are used in battles to establish dominance in the herd.
8. Elephants are vegetarians
Elephants are herbivores whose diet consists entirely of vegetation. Although they are the largest land mammals on the planet, their entire diet consists of roots, grasses, fruits and bark. However, the sheer amount of food they consume helps the animals reach their enormous size. An adult elephant can eat up to 300 kg of food in one day.
9. Elephants have incredibly thick skin
Animals have very thick skin that protects them from the harsh heat and sun. The skin is also extremely dry, and the numerous folds and wrinkles can collect and store moisture when elephants bathe in water and mud.
10. Elephants are highly intelligent creatures
Elephants are considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world, comparable to apes and dolphins. They demonstrate the ability to make and use tools with their trunks, experience complex emotions such as compassion and grief, and show signs of self-awareness when shown a mirror.
11. Poaching for ivory wiped out 90% of the elephant population in the last century
One of the most unpleasant facts about elephants is related to the ivory trade. The ivory contained in elephant tusks has been a highly lucrative industry for centuries, often seen as a status symbol. Due to massive illegal poaching in the 1970s and 1980s to meet the demand for ivory, especially in Asia, about 90% of Africa's elephant population was wiped out in the last century. Although many countries have already banned the ivory trade, more than 20,000 elephants are killed each year to meet continued demand in places like China and Japan.
12. Conflicts between humans and elephants are increasing
Due to the increase in human population density and the expansion of agriculture, especially in countries in Africa, the overlap of human settlements and wildlife habitats is fueling conflicts. From the encroachment of elephants on local farms, which are often the only source of income for many people, to the degradation of natural habitats due to land development, the conservation of elephants and their ecosystems is critically needed. | BGNES
