Elephant trunk in addition to absorbing water, no other use? These 3 benefits, explain the elephant trunk 90% of the perception
The use of elephant trunk
When it comes to elephants, many people think of their tusks. No one needs tusks except elephants to use them for feeding, digging pits, and attracting the opposite sex.
And not every elephant has tusks, but every elephant has an elephant trunk. The trunk acts like a human hand, and elephants can use their trunks to grab food or pick up small objects. It can also be used for sucking water when drinking, spraying water for bathing, etc.
But elephants from the day they were targeted by poachers, many elephants are doomed to their miserable lives, in addition to ivory, the trunk was sent to the table by poachers, elephant skin was made into boots, etc.
Many elephants in the wild are slaughtered on the spot, digging out the tusks, trunks, and hides. But humans are free to eat the trunk of an elephant just to satisfy their appetite? Is the trunk of the elephant only to absorb water spray? Not, the elephant trunk for the object that is life ah!
This issue together to inventory the special role of that elephant trunk, so you know that the elephant trunk there are other uses, explain the elephant trunk 90% of the perception.
Humans are talking through the nasal cavity to cause vibration and resonance, as a way to communicate and speak. The elephant trunk although much longer than the human trunk, but this use is the same. The only difference is that humans can still talk after losing their trunks, while elephants lose their trunks and lose the opportunity to communicate.
On top of the African grasslands, African elephants with their heads close to each other and entwined lovingly with each other with their long trunks are often captured by photographers, and we can see such elephants in Animal World. Biologists believe that the elephant is one of the higher IQ creatures in the animal kingdom, by the more sensitive nerve touch trunk contact with each other, and can communicate and exchange.
Archaeologists have also found about 30,000 years ago in the caves of prehistoric Europe depicting mammoths' long trunks entwined with each other murals, apparently in the ancestors of the elephant has been able to communicate through the trunk.
The trunk is about 3 meters long, and the end of the trunk can be dragged directly to the ground. The trunk is not as soft as we see, but the entire trunk is composed of nearly 40,000 small elastic muscles, and about 150,000 muscle bundles, the entire trunk is relaxed, and also very strong.
The elephant trunk has one or two finger-like protrusions at the end of the nose, the protrusions are distributed in tiny nerve endings, and both taste and smell the two functions. When they smell sweet fruit, they will stretch out their trunk, pick the fruit and branches of the tree, and then use their trunk to bring it to their mouths.
Because of the extremely developed sense of smell, elephants often erect their trunks, and swing in the air, like radar detection, the sensitive trunk can smell a few hundred meters away or even more distant places, to determine whether there are dangerous factors in the surrounding environment, and can use their trunks to determine whether the food is delicious.
If there is danger, the tight muscles on their trunk can uproot the tree, more in the enemy attack, the enemy entangled thrown. Normal people can be directly killed by a blow to the elephant trunk, the maximum impact of the trunk can reach several tons.
We can often see the elephant trunk in the water, a large mouth of water, if the elephant trunk can be used to breathe, when drinking water will not choke itself? This worry is superfluous.
After the elephant's trunk, above the esophagus, there is a special piece of cartilage, which can be used like a valve to divert water. And when the elephant is sucking water, this piece of cartilage valve for closure, so that water can enter the esophagus, and not into the lung's trachea. Because the human larynx and the nasal cavity are connected, so sometimes it will be grabbed, and hard.
After elephants lose their trunk, they will die and can not survive, because elephants simply can not live without water, hot weather to use the trunk to suck water to spray the whole body, to cool themselves. When they lose their trunk, they can not cool themselves, they will die of heatstroke, and fall to the ground. Sometimes, elephants use their trunks to suck mud and sand and spray their bodies to prevent themselves from being bitten by lice and mosquitoes.
In short, the elephant trunk is very important to the elephant, due to some special and peculiar physiological structures in the trunk, and give the trunk unique functions, so it is the elephant's missing living organ.
And in the wild, once the front of the elephant trunk crocodiles or by other carnivores bite, and scratch, they will be unable to drink, eat and inflammation and lose the sensory function of the trunk, causing death.
I hope every elephant will be treated well and kept away from poachers!
About the Creator
Aliser
be happy every day
How Much Do You Need in an ISA for a Passive Income That Beats the State Pension?
For many people in the UK, the State Pension is expected to form the backbone of retirement income. But with rising living costs and growing uncertainty about the future, more savers are asking a crucial question: Can I build a passive income that beats the State Pension — and how much would I need in an ISA to do it?
By Aarif Lashariabout 16 hours ago in Earth
Tiny Lion Cubs Struggle To Keep Up With Mom
In the heart of the African savannah, life is a constant lesson for young animals. Few scenes are as endearing — or as heartwarming — as tiny lion cubs trying to keep pace with their mother. These little bundles of fur face a world full of challenges, from learning to hunt to avoiding dangers, all while depending on the guidance and protection of their experienced mom. Watching cubs wobble and tumble as they attempt to keep up with their mother reminds us that growing up, even in the wild, is a journey full of struggle, determination, and adorable missteps. The Early Days of Lion Cubs Lion cubs are born blind and helpless, usually in litters of two to six. For the first few weeks, they rely entirely on their mother for warmth, food, and safety. Even after opening their eyes and beginning to explore, the cubs are far from independent. The first months are crucial. Cubs learn social cues, hunting basics, and survival skills simply by watching their mother and the pride. But as anyone who has observed them knows, there’s often a huge gap between observation and action. Tiny cubs often struggle to match their mother’s pace, especially when she moves through long stretches of savannah or leads the family on patrols. A Mother’s Role in the Wild For a lioness, raising cubs is a full-time commitment. She hunts, defends her territory, and teaches her young, all while staying alert to predators such as hyenas, leopards, and even rival lions. The cubs, meanwhile, attempt to mimic her every move — often with clumsy yet charming results. A mother lion’s patience is remarkable; she frequently slows down, nudges them along, or stops to ensure no cub is left behind. These moments, while stressful for the tiny cubs, are vital learning opportunities. Struggling to Keep Up: Why It’s So Hard There are several reasons why tiny lion cubs have trouble keeping pace with their mother: Short Legs, Big Steps: Lion cubs’ legs are tiny and their coordination is limited, making it difficult to cover the same distance as an adult lioness. Curiosity: Cubs are naturally curious. A single butterfly or rustling bush can distract them, leaving mom to pause repeatedly. Energy Levels: Young lions tire quickly. Even with frequent naps, the cubs’ stamina is far lower than their mother’s. Learning Through Play: Play is not just fun; it teaches hunting, balance, and social skills. Running off to pounce on a sibling or chase an insect is all part of their education. Despite these challenges, the cubs’ determination to keep up demonstrates their resilience and growing understanding of the wild world. Lessons in Teamwork and Survival Every cub struggling to keep up is also learning crucial survival skills. The journey across the savannah is more than a test of speed — it’s a lesson in: Coordination: Cubs learn how to move efficiently across different terrains. Patience: They begin to understand the rhythms of adult life and the pace required for survival. Social Skills: Staying with the group teaches cubs how to interact with siblings and the pride, which is essential for their future roles. Observation: By following their mother, cubs study hunting techniques, territorial behavior, and predator awareness. Even the moments when cubs stumble or lag behind are essential for their development. These experiences prepare them for independence, which comes sooner than many might expect. The Cutest Moments in the Wild Anyone who has watched tiny lion cubs knows that their struggles are often irresistibly cute. Video clips from wildlife reserves frequently show cubs toddling along, tumbling over each other, or getting distracted mid-step. Observers often comment that these little stumbles reveal personality, determination, and playfulness, making them one of nature’s most heartwarming spectacles. While their mother is serious and focused, the cubs inject a sense of humor and lightness into life on the savannah. Why This Matters The struggles of lion cubs aren’t just adorable — they’re vital for understanding wildlife behavior. Conservationists and animal behaviorists use these moments to study growth patterns, social structures, and survival strategies in lion populations. These observations also highlight the importance of preserving natural habitats. Cubs must learn in a safe environment to survive; habitat loss, poaching, and climate change make these early struggles even more dangerous. Protecting the African savannah ensures that future generations of lions can experience the same lessons and playful tumbles. The Road to Independence Within a year, these tiny cubs will be more agile, faster, and more confident. By the time they reach two to three years old, males may begin to leave the pride, while females often stay and become caretakers themselves. Every misstep, tumble, and lagging moment is part of the journey toward strength, coordination, and independence. Watching them now gives us a glimpse of the challenges they will overcome, and the survival skills they will carry for life. A Celebration of Motherhood Ultimately, these scenes remind us of the incredible bond between mother and cubs. Her patience, vigilance, and teaching are the foundations of their future. The cubs’ struggles highlight the trials of growing up, while their determination showcases the resilience and beauty of wildlife. For those observing, it’s a powerful lesson in care, guidance, and perseverance, not just in lions but in the natural world as a whole. Final Thoughts Watching tiny lion cubs try to keep up with their mother is both entertaining and enlightening. It’s a story of growth, struggle, and resilience — a reminder that even the fiercest creatures start small, learning step by step. These little lions capture hearts while teaching life lessons: patience, determination, teamwork, and the importance of guidance. As they tumble and waddle across the savannah, they show us that growth is a process, one adorable misstep at a time. For wildlife enthusiasts, animal lovers, and anyone enchanted by nature, these tiny cubs are proof that even in the wild, love, care, and persistence are universal truths.
By Aarif Lashariabout 16 hours ago in Earth
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.