Elephants are one of the most majestic creatures on this planet. They’re also one of the smartest and most complex animals on earth. Despite their size, elephants are gentle giants that often enjoy interacting with people. But there’s much more to these creatures than meets the eye! Check out some little-known facts about elephants below. You might be surprised at what you learn!
My favorite fact: did you know a baby elephant is called a calf? How sweet is that?
They are also one of the most intelligent and fascinating creatures that you can encounter on your travels.
Did you know, for example, that an elephant’s trunk has more than 100,000 muscles? Or that they can swim distances up to six miles? Read on to learn more interesting facts about these fascinating animals. You may even be inspired to add an elephant safari to your next travel itinerary!
Africa is known for its vast, untouched landscapes and for being the home of some of the world’s most fascinating animals. While on safari in Africa, you can often see elephants roaming through the brush or crossing rivers.
These gentle giants are amazing creatures that deserve our respect and protection.
I had the opportunity of feeding elephants at the Chaminuka game reserve. It was quite exciting to tough the almighty, most sort out tusk of the elephant. They love to eat mangoes and all things sweet. The feed by suctioning the food from your hands, pull by their trunk and to their mouth. Pretty neat sequence. One has to be quite fast in bring the food towards their trunk, else they can pull in your hands.
Feeding the elephants is one of the special activities at this game reserve, that will leave a lasting memory in your mind, thus, never to forget. While feeding them, you take a good look at their gigantic structure up close, as well as touch their skin.
The elephant’s skin is like a tough rug, very hard and rough to the human hands. Impossible to cut through except with a very sharp object.
Another cool fact about elephants in Africa is the that they cross the main highway whenever they want. There was actually a street sign I saw that said, “elephants crossing” That was a first for me, but the locals said, it was very common to see a whole family of elephants crossing at a time. All cars and pedestrians have to stop, and wait for them to finish crossing, oh and they don’t move as fast as those waiting would prefer.
Elephant crossing time is not all bad, because this is when visitors can get some great pictures.
Being very caring and protective of their young is another cool fact about elephants. This mother elephant I met was very active in sharing food with her young. You could also see her protecting them from preys and from fighting each other. It was quite cute to see.
In some cases, elephants are used as a means of transport of people and or luggage. It is interesting to see when tourist ride elephants across streams or river as a tourist activity. Everyone is scared at first until they get a hang of the routine, then they begin to enjoy the exercise, as they hope the elephant remains in good spirits and behaves well
The coolest fact about this animal, I think is the fact that it belongs to the big five impressive animals of Africa.
If you love animals and will like to include it in your travel adventure itinerary, these are some places where you can find elephants and other exotic safari type animals.
- Chaminuka Game reserve https://www.chaminuka.com
- The Lilayi Elephant nursery in Lusaka. This location is a wildlife rescue project (elephant orphanage project) It is advisable you to visit this lodge on a Sunday during their feeding time.
- The Cincinatti zoo also have some big elephants and much more (There is an African elephant family in this zoo)
Wildlife video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6eoJZTiQtE&t=2s