![]() 8 Savanna elephants are endangered and forest elephants are critically endangered – both appear on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Today, populations remain stable and high in much of Southern Africa, but there’s a rising threat in the east, due to poaching. Worldwide, elephant populations are dwindling rapidly due to organised crime and the ivory trade. These gentle giants have even known to bury their dead, or cover them with leaves.Īnd if that wasn’t impressive enough for you, they’re also capable of imitating the sounds of other elephants and even some human words. They demonstrate compassion, too they help injured members of the herd and show grief when a family member dies. Elephants can also recognise themselves in a mirror – another rarity in the animal kingdom, as only the great apes, crows and bottlenose dolphins display the same levels of self-awareness. ![]() They’re one of very few species that understand what pointing means – for example, many dogs understand it, but chimpanzees do not. Their trunks allow them to be dextrous beasts, using them to move and manipulate objects in much the same way that we would use our hands and arms. They’re adept at problem-solving, from piling up blocks to reach food, to using branches and rocks as tools. 5Įlephants rank alongside dolphins and chimpanzees in terms of levels of intelligence. The matriarch of a herd can lead family members to waterholes by calling up complex mental maps that cover hundreds of kilometres. It allows for retaining details that are vital for elephant survival, such as where to go to find food and water – and how to get there. Their temporal lobe region (the area responsible for memory) is exceptionally developed, with a greater number of folds, meaning it can store more information. ![]() They say, 'an elephant never forgets', and there’s actually some truth in that saying. However, it’s three times as large as ours, with three times as many neurons – 250 billion, in fact. They also have an impressive brain to show for it: it’s the largest of any land animal, with a structure similar to that of a human brain. Elephants are highly intelligent mammals – they’re born this way, which takes time. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |