9 things you didn't know about elephants

The elephant is the symbol of Sto Gran Tour and, naturally, one of our all-time favorite animals. So much so that we looked into them because we wanted to learn more.

Here are 9 facts about elephants that you probably didn’t know:
 

1. LONG-DISTANCE CALLS

How many people could you recognize just by their voice? Well, female elephants can distinguish the calls of 100 different individuals. And they can do it from as far as 2.5 km away! This helps them recognize friends and stay alert to enemies: if they hear a suspicious call, they close ranks and prepare to face a potential intruder.

2. THICK SKIN, BUT NOT EVERYWHERE

People generally think elephants have extremely thick skin: that’s true, but only partly. On the trunk, legs, and rear, it is indeed 3–4 cm thick, but behind the ears, on the sides, chest, and belly, it is much thinner. Even the thicker areas are still very sensitive because they are rich in nerve endings: elephants can feel every fly that lands on them.  
 

3. THEY ADOPT ORPHANS

For many species, if the mother dies, the young have little chance of survival. With elephants, it is different. There are cases of older sisters taking care of their siblings when the mother dies, even if they already have a calf of their own. But even more surprising is that they may also adopt orphans that are complete strangers to the herd.
 

4. STRONGER TOGETHER

If an elephant is in trouble, the others help. Biologist George Wittemyer recalled that once, while a female elephant had been sedated so that a tracking collar could be fitted, the others saw her unsteady on her feet and, thinking she was injured, tried to keep her upright by leaning against her or lifting her with their tusks. For elephants, solidarity is a very important feeling.
 

5. AN INCREDIBLE MEMORY

An “elephant memory” is not just a saying. These animals also remember precisely where trees and waterholes are located—something vital for them in the dry savannah, considering they consume huge quantities of leaves and drink about 180 liters of water a day.
 

6. THE AMAZING TRUNK

If the pachyderm’s trunk ends in two finger-like projections, you are looking at an African elephant; if it has only one, it is an Indian elephant. Made up of more than 100,000 muscles, the trunk is so strong that it can lift weights of over 250 kg, yet so sensitive that it can pick a single blade of grass. It is also used to trumpet, bring water and food to the mouth, and throw mud. 
 

7. SIGN LANGUAGE

The trunk is also used to communicate through a kind of sign language. If it forms an “S,” it means “I want to get acquainted.” If two trunks cross, the elephants are greeting each other, like a handshake.
 

8. THEY CAN’T JUMP

Unlike many mammals, the bones in elephants’ legs are structured in such a way that they do not have the “spring” needed to lift themselves off the ground. To defend themselves from predators, they use other strategies.
 

9. THEY SLEEP VERY LITTLE

The elephant is among the animals that sleep the least: its priority is feeding, so it devotes only about 3–4 hours a day to sleep. However, it is not true that elephants sleep only while standing up. If the sleep is long and not just a short nap, they lie down on the ground and often snore!

Do you know where you can see lots and lots of elephants? In Etosha National Park in Namibia. And do you know where you can visit Etosha National Park? On our NAMIBIA ADVENTURE TOUR. Take a look at the itinerary!