Elephants are magnificent creatures, renowned for their strength, grace, and intelligence.

They serve as a powerful symbol of Africa's wildlife.

An elephant’s brain is three times the size of a human brain, containing five times more neurons. This remarkable brain structure grants them exceptional intellect and emotional depth. Elephants are capable of complex thought, decision-making, and instinctual reactions, much like humans.

Their communication is both overt and nuanced, incorporating gestures and even sign language. Elephants can transmit signals over great distances without any technological aid, surpassing human capabilities in this regard.

Herd Hierarchy

Elephants form strong family bonds and live in close-knit matriarchal groups composed of related females and their calves. The gestation period for an elephant lasts an astounding twenty-two months, and females only come into heat once every four years, making the birth of a calf a momentous event. The young are cared for not only by their mother but also by other females in the herd.

Elephants have remarkable memories that span decades, which are passed down through generations. This extraordinary memory is particularly valuable during dry seasons when matriarchs guide their herds over long distances, sometimes several miles, to find watering holes and fresh foraging spots.

What Is an Elephant Corridor and What Happens When They Disappear?

Male elephants leave their family groups around the age of thirteen or fourteen, when they reach puberty. They may roam alone or form bachelor herds with other males. This is a significant rite of passage, as younger males learn from their elders how to compete for females and understand their place within the larger social structure of elephant society.

Foraging

Elephants possess extraordinary strength and agility, using their powerful limbs to reach high branches and seeds that would otherwise be out of reach. Mature males, weighing over six tonnes, can use their back legs to push off the ground, performing a remarkable gymnastic feat to access acacia seeds and other nutritious food sources.

Due to their slow digestive systems, elephants graze almost continuously for up to sixteen hours a day, consuming as much as 200 kilograms of food. It's soft, porous bark is rich in water content and contains medicinal properties, including an antidote to various poisons. Elephants use their weight and tusks to stripes the bark, passing pieces to the younger members of the herd, who use their trunks to handle smaller portions.

Elephant Communication

This image shows a typical elephant greeting and playful interaction. Elephants are highly tactile creatures, using their trunks and bodies to convey messages as part of their complex communication system.

Just as humans use their hands to greet others or express emotions, elephants engage their trunks, ears, and bodies to do the same. The trunk is especially important for reassuring younger elephants, as they often touch the mouths of their mothers or female relatives to learn feeding techniques and seek comfort.

Elephant Defensive Charge

Despite their size, elephants are surprisingly graceful, even when charging. Naturally peaceful animals, they only charge when they feel threatened. For male elephants, charging is a way to display strength, and they often mock-charge to assert their dominance and impress others.

Mock Charging

Male elephants enjoy showing off their power, making as much noise as possible, often accompanied by ear flapping. While there is no intention to harm, it is important to respect their space to avoid provoking a real charge. The body language during a mock charge involves the elephant extending its trunk, thundering toward its target, ears flapping, then suddenly stopping, kicking up dust and trumpeting loudly.

Intentional Elephant Charge

In a true charge, the elephant lowers its head, tucks its trunk, and positions it's tusks to make contact. Female elephants are particularly protective of their young. If they or their calves feel threatened, a serious charge will follow. A female’s charge is always intentional and direct.

Protecting Their Young

Teaching younger herd members the art of charging is vital for their survival in the wild. Elephants learn quickly, as they must. Besides poachers, young elephants are vulnerable to predators like lions and crocodiles.

Charging is not only a defense mechanism but also an important way for young elephants to practice communication with their siblings and the rest of the herd, as demonstrated by this infant.