10 facts about the majestic pachyderm

1. There are three distinct species of elephants left in the world: The Asian elephant and the African forest and savannah (bush) elephant species. Savannah elephants are larger, with curved tusks, while forest elephants are smaller, with tusks that are straighter and point downward.

2. The elephant’s gestation period is 22 months – it's the longest pregnancy in the animal kingdom. All baby Elephants are born blind, but they can stand up almost immediately.

3. The word “elephant” comes from the Greek word “elephas” which means “ivory”.

4. Elephant skin is over an inch thick. But because it’s loaded with nerve endings, their skin is also highly sensitive. Elephants from the same herd will often use touch to greet each other, either wrapping their trunks around each other or giving each other friendly “hello” taps on the body.

5. Research has shown that Elephants communicate over long distances using a sub-sonic rumble that can travel over the ground faster than sound through air. Other Elephants receive these messages through their feet and trunks. Scientists believe that this is how potential mates and social groups communicate with each other.

6. Elephants have large, thin ears that contain a complex network of blood vessels that help to regulate body temperature. The average ear of a male African Elephant weighs over 100 pounds.

7. You know how they say “an Elephant never forgets”? Research has proven that they are extremely intelligent. And their memories are vital during the dry season, when matriarchs guide their herds– over for countless miles– to watering holes they’ve visited in the past.

8. Elephants spend between 12 to 18 hours eating grass, plants and fruit every single day! They use their long trunks to smell their food and lift it up into their mouth – what a life 😉

9. Elephants have deep family bonds and tight-knit groups of related females and their offspring.  Each herd consists of anywhere from 8-100 Elephants, all led by the oldest (and often largest) matriarch. When a calf is born, it’s raised by the whole herd. Males usually leave the herd between the ages of 12 to 15, living solo or temporarily hanging out with other males.

10. Elephants can give birth until they’re 50 and can live to be over 70 years old. The oldest on record– an Asian Elephant named Lin Wang– died at the ripe old age of 86.