Table of Contents

Elephants

40,000 muscles

The trunk of an elephant has over 40,000 muscles. In comparison, the human body has only 639 muscles in total! 1)

Huge brain

The African elephant is not only the largest living land animal but also has a huge brain. Their brain can weigh up to 5.4 kg and is undoubtedly the largest brain of all land mammals. 2)

Elephants rarely get cancer

Elephants rarely get cancer because they have 40 copies of the genes that encode the cancer suppressant protein p53. Humans only have two. 3)

No galloping

Elephants have two types of gait: a walk and a faster walk similar to running. They cannot jump or gallop but can swim. 4)

Thick but sensitive

An elephant's skin may be up to 2.5cm thick, but it is so sensitive that the elephant can feel a fly walking on it. 5)

War animals

In ancient times, elephants were used as war animals. 6)

Headed by a female

Elephants are herd animals and live in family groups. The herd is headed by a female. 7)

Herbivores

Elephants devour a variety of grasses, leaves, branches, boughs, and fruits. 8)

Amounts consumed

Elephants eat about 250 – 300 pounds of food and drink about 50 gallons of water per day. 9)

New teeth

Elephants grow new teeth six times during their lifetime. 10)

Tusks

The tusks are extended incisors and grow throughout the elephants' lives. 11)

African elephants

African elephants are larger than Asian elephants. 12)

The ears

The African elephants' ears are used for thermoregulation. The Asian elephant protects itself from the sun in shady forests. 13)

The ears

Elephants run faster than humans. 14)

Sound detection

Elephants can hear from up to many miles away. 15)

The best sense of smell

African elephants have the best sense of smell in the animal kingdom. 16)

Longevity

Elephants live an average of about 65-70 years. 17)

Poaching

About 30,000 elephants are killed by poachers every year. 18)