- there are at least three different species of elephant:
- herds consist of females and their calves, but mature male elephants are solitary.
- along with trumpeting and a throaty rumbling, elephants also communicate through infrasounds which can cross vast distances and help different herds co-ordinate with each other.
- elephants court using affectionate nuzzles and gestures; they are first initiated by males and returned by the female if she is interested.
- homosexual elephants are also well-documented and mate year-round, whereas females can only mate for a few days a year.
- baby elephants are born blind and are known to soothe themselves by sucking their trunks, much like human children do with their thumbs.
- elephants care for their ill herd-members and try to revive them if they die. once it is clear there is no hope of revival, they will bury the elephant and remain at their grave for days afterwards.
- they will do the same with solitary elephants and any deceased humans they may find.
- elephants are some of the most intelligent animals on earth and they have been known to show humour, playfulness, compassion, co-operation, self-awareness and even exhibit signs of depression.
- oh, and they are the only living animals, aside from humans, that have chins.
dec 6 2012 ∞
dec 7 2012 +