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Top Ten: Elephant Facts
Why do elephants favour one tusk? Do they really 'never forget'? And how can they be one of nature's natural underwater swimmers?
Elephant fact #1
For many years there were believed to be only two remaining species of elephant - the African and the Indian. However, recent DNA testing has split the African elephant species in two - African Bush and African Forest. The Forest elephant is much smaller than its Bush cousin, has a longer jaw, rounder ears and different tusks. Both types of African elephants are larger than their Asian counterparts and they have much bigger ears.
Elephant fact #2
If you thought nine months was a long time to carry a baby, pity the poor elephant. Their gestation period is an incredible 22 months - the longest pregnancy of any land animal. Furthermore, giving birth isn't always a happy experience, as baby elephants can weigh as much as 120kg (265lb). Ouch!
Elephant fact #3
An elephant's trunk is an extension of its upper lip and nose, and contains around 40,000 individual muscles. Both types of African elephants have two finger-like nodules at the end of their trunks, Asian elephants have just one. Elephants use their trunks for many things, including gathering food and social interaction - elephants that know each other will often entwine their trunks as a sign of greeting.
Elephant fact #4:
In the same way that humans are left or right-handed, elephants are left or right-tusked. The dominant tusk is known as the major tusk, and is usually shorter than the other tusk due to wear and tear.
Elephant fact #5
The old saying 'an elephant never forgets' is scientific fact. Matriarchs in particular have a social memory whereby they are able to remember old faces. This skill can be vital to the survival of the herd; when the female elephants encounter other individuals they do not recognise, family members bunch together defensively to protect their young.
Elephant fact #6
Elephants are magnificent swimmers. They use all four legs to swim and are able to move swiftly, their body mass providing flotation while their trunk acts like a snorkel. They can even swim long distance; it is thought elephants once swam from Southern India to Sri Lanka where they settled.
Elephant fact #7
The life cycle of an elephant is fairly similar to that of a human. They begin mating around the age of 20 and have a life expectancy of around 70. The oldest elephant in captivity lived to the ripe old age of 86.
Elephant fact #8
Gay elephants? Yep, you heard it here. Researchers have found that male elephants will form same-sex relationships and will try to mate each other. Male elephants will also intertwine their trunks, 'kiss' and place their trunks in each others' mouths.
Elephant fact #9
In many cultures the elephant is sacred. The God Ganesh is depicted with an elephant's head in Hinduism, a white elephant is considered extremely holy in Thailand, and elephants are used in numerous festivals in Sri Lanka.
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