The trunk of an elephant has over 40,000 muscles. In comparison, the human body has only 639 muscles in total! 1)
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 because they have 40 copies of the genes that encode the cancer suppressant protein p53. Humans only have two. 3)
Elephants have two types of gait: a walk and a faster walk similar to running. They cannot jump or gallop but can swim. 4)
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)
In ancient times, elephants were used as war animals. 6)
Elephants are herd animals and live in family groups. The herd is headed by a female. 7)
Elephants devour a variety of grasses, leaves, branches, boughs, and fruits. 8)
Elephants eat about 250 – 300 pounds of food and drink about 50 gallons of water per day. 9)
Elephants grow new teeth six times during their lifetime. 10)
The tusks are extended incisors and grow throughout the elephants' lives. 11)
African elephants are larger than Asian elephants. 12)
The African elephants' ears are used for thermoregulation. The Asian elephant protects itself from the sun in shady forests. 13)
Elephants run faster than humans. 14)
Elephants can hear from up to many miles away. 15)
African elephants have the best sense of smell in the animal kingdom. 16)
Elephants live an average of about 65-70 years. 17)
About 30,000 elephants are killed by poachers every year. 18)