Elephants are the only species of proboscis mammal population that have not become extinct. Since they are highly intelligent, emotional and conscious creatures, they can establish understanding relationships with people. They even mourn when someone from the pack dies, just like a human. So, what are the characteristics of elephants that make them sympathetic creatures despite their large size?

    1. Elephants are among the smartest animal species

      According to scientific data, elephants; It is more intelligent than the other most intelligent ape species except chimpanzee, gorilla and bono. Although scientists attribute this to the right proportion of brain size and intelligence, studies on elephants also confirm this.

      Apart from recognizing and distinguishing languages, elephants can also read human body language. In the experiments, it was seen that depending on ethnicity, gender and age, elephants went on the defensive according to the sounds they thought were threatening. The human voice, which they thought would be a threat, belonged to a male Kenyan who hunted an elephant in the past. There are also quite a lot of interesting videos showing their understanding of human body language.

    2. Are elephants dangerous?

      Elephants are highly respected animals by humans, but people still fear them. In fact, it is all about not knowing the language of communication because, like any living creature, elephants can be angry and aggressive in situations they see as a threat.

      In addition, the aggressiveness of male elephants during mating due to their instincts that make them struggle for female elephants can make them dangerous.

    3. How many types of elephants are there?

      There are three species of elephants today. These are the African Elephant, the African Forest Elephant, and the Asian Elephant. Although the two species of African Elephants are closely related, their differences from the Asian Elephant are quite obvious.

      What are the differences between the Asian Elephant and the African Elephant?

      Ears: The African Elephant’s ears are much larger than its Asian cousin’s ears. The African Elephant’s ears fall towards his shoulder, while the Asian Elephant’s ears are shorter.

      Teeth: Both males and females in African Elephants have long teeth. In Asian Elephants, some males have long tusks, but not all males.

      Tornado: While Asian Elephants have one “finger” on their trunk, African Elephants have two fingers.

      Head: African Elephants have a more rounded forehead, while Asian Elephants have a recess in the middle of their heads. The top of the head looks like a twin domed.

      Back: The Asian Elephant has a short shoulder and a protrusion called a belt on its back. The African Elephant has a long shoulder and a small hole on its back.

      Size: In general, African Elephants are larger. An adult African Elephant can weigh six tons with males, while male Asian Elephants usually weigh no more than five tons.

    4. How do elephants feed?

      One of the interesting features of elephants is that they are herbivores because, despite their large size, they are surprising to feed on plants. It eats a wide variety of plant material, including grass, leaves, woody parts of trees, and shrubs, flowers and fruits. After the rain, the plants dig up the roots. Asian elephants feed on more than 100 plant species. Both African and Asian Elephants also feed on crops such as millet. An adult elephant needs to eat 150kg of food a day, which is 50 tonnes a year!

    5. How many kg does an elephant weigh?

      African Elephants are not only the largest elephants but the largest land animals in the world, weighing around 6 tons and 3.2 meters high. Females are about 60 cm shorter and half the weight of male elephants.

      Male Asian Elephants are about 2 m high and 4 tons, while the African Forest Elephant is the smallest elephant species with a weight of 2 tons and a height of 2.2 m.

    6. How long does an elephant’s pregnancy last?

      Elephants have one of the longest known pregnancies of any animal. African Elephants have a gestation period of 22 months, while Asian Elephants have a gestation period of 18-22 months. Elephants usually give birth two or three times in ten years. Baby elephants called Calve are born with an average weight of 100 kg and can suck their mothers for a few years.

    7. What are elephants used for?

      When we think of the features of elephants, we immediately describe a long-toothed elephant. The tusks of elephants are so long that about 1/3 of the head buried deep into its head is invisible. The upper incisors are not visible at all.

      Elephants use their teeth as a tool to dig water and peel bark, while also using them as a weapon against rivals. Male elephants with large ivories look attractive to females.

    8. Elephants can be right-handed or left-handed

      Just like humans, elephants can be right-handed or left-handed. It is known that he uses one ivory more than another. This preferred tooth is sometimes referred to as the “main tooth” and generally looks more worn.

    9. How many years do elephants live?

      African Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild, but unfortunately they do not tend to live long when in captivity. Asian Elephants have a lifespan of about 48 years shorter than African Elephants, and they live about 25 years.

      Both African and Asian Elephants have a matriarchal herd structure. When they live in groups, they have a safer environment and can spend more time caring for and teaching young elephants.

    10. Do elephants know themselves?

      Elephants can recognize themselves in the mirror. Scientists think this is a sign of greater self-awareness. In one study, an Asian Elephant named Happy touched a painted “X” on his forehead while looking in the mirror. This showed that he knew he was looking at his own reflection. Most animals think of a reflection as another animal and look for its reflection behind a mirror.

    11. Elephants have a very good memory

      One of the most surprising characteristics of elephants is that they have long lasting memories. Scientists who studied three flocks in Tanzania found that two flocks, led by experienced parents in the long drought period, were seeking water, and as a result most groups survived in this way. Scientists concluded that these elephants remembered a drought that occurred more than 30 years ago and knew what to do. He also recognized the zoologist Iain Douglas-Hamilton, although he hadn’t seen a female elephant for four years.

    12. Can elephants empathize?

      Perhaps the most interesting feature of elephants is their empathy. Elephants can understand what other elephants are feeling. Experiments show that when an elephant is unhappy, others share what’s known as “emotional impact.” In such situations, they go to their “friends” and comfort them. They also put something in their friends’ mouths to inspire confidence. Elephants try to help other injured elephants and even mourn their dead.

    13. Do elephants have a sixth sense?

      Elephants can sense a storm from 280 km away and move towards the water area. Before the Asian Tsunami of 2004, elephants headed towards higher grounds.

    14. How do elephants sleep?

      Elephants normally sleep standing up, but elephants living with humans gradually learn to lie down.