August 12 is recognized as World Elephant Day, drawing global attention to these magnificent creatures and inspiring further exploration into their habits, physical features, and survival status.
As the largest land-based mammal in existence, elephants often leave a lasting impression due to their size—some African elephants stand as tall as four meters and can weigh over 10 tons, while the majority of elephants consume around 150 kilograms of food daily.
These enormous animals are divided into two main species: the African elephant and the Asian elephant, with the African elephant further categorized into the African savanna elephant and the African forest elephant. Elephants are known for their longevity, generally living from 60 to 70 years.
One of the most distinctive features of elephants is their long trunk, which serves multiple purposes, including tearing leaves and drinking water. The elephant's trunk is composed of a vast array of muscles, enabling it to perform precise gripping actions, with its unique skin structure enhancing this functionality.
The skin on the upper and lower parts of the trunk varies in flexibility: the upper skin features deep folds that allow for high flexibility, aiding in grasping objects, while the lower part has smaller wrinkles that provide a steady grip when handling items. This intricate structure enables elephants to complete precise tasks, giving them an advantage in foraging and survival.
Beyond their physical structure, elephants also benefit from a highly developed sense of hearing. They are extremely sensitive to low-frequency sound waves and can detect distant thunder and rainfall, enabling them to anticipate weather changes.
This ability is crucial in arid regions, as it allows them to find water sources or adjust their route, improving the group's chances of survival. Elephants also possess remarkable memory, which allows them to remember water sources and key migration paths—a skill essential to their survival.
In comparison to other mammals, elephants display an unusual characteristic: they are one of the species with the shortest sleep duration among mammals. Wild African elephants sleep, on average, only two hours a day and occasionally even go without sleep entirely.
Scientists believe that this trait may relate to their large size and social living arrangements. Given their substantial food requirements, they spend a significant amount of time foraging, and reduced sleep may be an adaptation to environmental demands.
As social animals, elephants thrive in groups. A study examining hormone levels in elephant dung revealed that solitary elephants experience higher levels of stress than those in groups.
Social bonds play a crucial role in their psychological well-being, and elephants display strong emotional connections within their groups. They have been observed grieving the death of companions, exhibiting a depth of feeling that highlights their complex emotional world.
It is surprising to learn that despite having a cancer cell count one hundred times higher than humans, elephants have a much lower rate of cancer-related deaths.
Researchers have discovered a unique gene in elephants—leukemia inhibitory factor 6 (LIF6)—that works in conjunction with multiple copies of the P53 gene, known for its cancer-suppressing properties, to eliminate damaged cells and prevent cancer formation. This discovery opens new research avenues and offers potential insights into cancer prevention.
However, the survival of elephants faces severe challenges. Global climate change and human activities, particularly poaching, pose significant threats to their populations.
Asian elephants and African savanna elephants are classified as endangered, while African forest elephants are critically endangered. Each year on World Elephant Day, animal protection organizations conduct awareness campaigns and activities, urging worldwide efforts to safeguard these giant creatures.
In China, the "northward journey and southward return" of a group of wild Asian elephants in Yunnan in 2021 captured the nation's attention. This migration not only provided valuable insights into the elephants' natural behaviors but also showcased China's extensive efforts to protect elephants on the global stage.
