I’m All Ears: 11 Fun Facts About Elephants

You’ve likely only seen an elephant at a circus or zoo if you’re lucky. They are hard to describe, as they are unlike any other animal on the planet. They are massive yet endearing animals that remind people to be kind to the planet and its environment. Elephants are singular, making their behaviors and legacy fascinating in comparison to other creatures. Here are some of the most fun facts about elephants we know that will deepen your appreciation and love for these gentle giants.

1. There Are Only Three Species, That’s It

You may feel like there are a lot of elephants because they are so distinct from other animals, but there are only three species, including:

• African Savannah elephant
• Asian elephant
• African forest elephant

Most people tell them apart by their ears, as they vary in size. Their trunks also have slightly different appearances.

2. Their Brains Are Enormous 

Everyone has heard the rumor that elephants never forget. This is because it is true. An elephant’s brain is massive, and they are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. Extensive studies demonstrate the remarkable nature of their memories, alongside the ability to recognize complex social nuances, among other skills that denote high intelligence. This is due to its large temporal lobe, which enables elephants to remember things more effectively than humans.

3. The Trunk Is One of the Most Multipurpose Appendages

The trunk has to be able to do everything, especially when an elephant’s legs have limited mobility. This long snout is responsible for breathing, grabbing, communicating, smelling, and feeling around its environment. They are extremely precise, picking up delicate and heavy items with ease.

4. They Are Big, But They Swim

Elephants are the heaviest land mammals, yet they somehow are extremely competent swimmers. They do this because their trunk acts like a snorkel, allowing them to walk in deep waters for extended periods. The distance doesn’t matter when they have a perpetual breathing source and a strong footing that can get them anywhere they set their mind to.

5. They Communicate and You May Not Know It

Many people are familiar with the iconic trumpet sound elephants make, which can be potentially ear-piercing to some. However, most elephant communications are more subtle and unassuming. They primarily speak through vibrations at low frequencies, which most people cannot hear very well. The sounds travel the flatlands that they roam for many miles, keeping everyone in touch despite not having a phone. 

6. Elephants Are Matriarchal

The social order of elephants is deceptively intricate and empathetic. They have a keen awareness of everyone’s connections, and their behaviors resemble those of a tight-knit family. Groups of elephants are led by a wise female, known as the matriarch. It tends to be the oldest one among them, and everyone treats her with respect.

7. They Literally Can’t Jump

Elephant legs are incredibly strong, but they are not the most flexible. Pair this with all the weight they carry, and it gives you four legs that are physically incapable of jumping. It is the only mammal that cannot achieve this simple feat. But it doesn’t matter when you have a trunk and additional height to reach everything you could ever ask for.

8. The Tusks Are Actually a Kind of Tooth

Imagine having a tooth the size of your head, and it curls upward. You can’t. However, that is an elephant’s existence. Their beautiful tusks are actually incisors. It takes several years for young elephants to develop their distinctive features, but they eventually mature into becoming part of their signature look. They need these for more than show — they use them for marking their habitats or digging up stuff from the ground. They are also a powerful weapon.

Unfortunately, these are one of the primary reasons elephant numbers have declined in recent history. Poachers will do almost anything to obtain this ivory, which is highly valuable on black markets. While this is illegal in many regions of the world, it is not a comprehensive solution without effective enforcement. Many advocacy organizations are still trying to find the best ways to curb the ivory trade before elephants become more in danger than they already are.

9. Elephants Have a Heightened Sense of Touch

Have you ever heard someone say they don’t know their own strength? Elephants, despite their size, do not have this problem. They are intensely intuitive and can control their sense of touch better than most creatures. They may not look like it, but they are nimble and can even pick up a small blade of grass without issue.

10. They Experience Grief, Much Like Humans

While this isn’t necessarily a fun fact about elephants, it is amazing for understanding how their minds and emotions work. It is always surprising when humans discover a creature that has a similar emotional capacity, and elephants go through grief when family members die just as much as people do. Some have been seen traveling specifically to visit the sites where loved ones have passed, much like people do when visiting graves. They will exhibit empathetic behaviors, such as rubbing their trunks near bones or cuddling with others.

11. They Make Watering Holes

Elephants have a significant and beneficial impact on their ecosystems because they can create watering holes. They can last four days without a sip of refreshing water, which was an adaptation to their arid habitats. However, their trunks are valuable for digging up buried reserves to share with their family. Ironically, this is an extremely exhausting activity, making them unfortunately thirsty in the process.

Fun Facts About Elephants to Share

Who doesn’t want to know something cool about elephants? Pull these interesting tidbits out at your next party or workplace conversation. Everyone will appreciate the insight. Who knows — you might inspire people to care more about them so they have a better chance at withstanding anthropogenic climate change. They are definitely worth preserving, just like any beauty in nature, especially when they are so caring and magnificent.