Elephants and humans are akin. On WORLD ELEPHANT DAY, learn about our likenesses and how we can help each other.
At first glance, elephants and humans look as different as any two creatures could. But under their thick, wrinkly skin, elephants share several very important characteristics with humans.
One major shared trait is memory. And this has much to do with the size of their temporal lobes — the part of the brain that processes memory — which is actually larger and denser in elephants. This is what allows elephants to recognize every member of their herd, distinguish cues and danger signals, and find reliable water sources, even decades after last visiting them.
Compared to any other mammal, elephants have the largest number of scent receptors. And it’s these receptors that give elephants the unique ability to remember and respond to familiar faces, including those of humans, as well as distinguish different tribes.
Not only that, elephants have large cerebral cortexes — contributing to an elephant’s keen ability to problem solve, distinguish music tones and melodies, understand syntax (they may even have their own language), and understand basic arithmetic!
And if that weren’t enough, elephant’s highly developed brains make them some of the most empathetic creatures on earth. They form close social bonds, raise families together, and have been known to rescue species other than their own. They are also one of the few animals to show signs of grief and carry out mourning patterns similar to humans.
Sadly, despite being so akin, elephants are ENDANGERED due to human-driven activities. In honor of WORLD ELEPHANT DAY on August 12, consider donating to save elephants — animals just like us.
