Elephants-Behavior,+Communication,+Socialization

Elephants are some of the most intelligent animals on Earth. They can display signs of grief, joy, anger, and love. Elephants have been seen shedding tears over their deceased and attempting to bury them by covering them in mud and twigs. To express joy, they have been seen playing with other her members. An example of anger or terror has occurred when baby elephants wake up screaming because their families have just been poached. This is a type of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Elephants can express empathy as well. For example, one herd that was researched moved along slowly every so the member recovering from a broken leg would not get left behind.

Elephants live in matriarchal herds that usually consist of six to twelve individuals depending the terrain and family size. If there is not enough food for the whole group in one area, the herd may split and head to different areas. Herds consist of a leader, or matriarch, her daughters, and their calves. The matriarch is the oldest and usually largest member. When a matriarch dies, one of her daughters, usually the oldest, takes over for her. All calves are raised and protected by the herd, but males set off on their own when they are between the ages of twelve and fifteen. Once males leave the herd, they live solitary lives, but may temporarily join a bachelor herd. Being around individuals other than their mother helps calves learn to be with others and develops their bonds with members of the herd.

Elephants tend to mainly socialize with their family members and other herd members. Adult males only socialize with females or groups of females if he looking to mate. Males usually remain alone, but sometimes travel in a small group with other males. Females socialize with the other members of their matriarchal herd. Elephants can be very emotional and empathetic to others, which makes them easy to get along with. For example, if one elephants is in danger, another might help it out.

Recent studies have shown that elephants communicate with sounds too low for the human ear to register. They communicate over long distances by producing sub-sonic rumbles that can travel over the ground faster than sound can travel through air. The elephant receiving the message receives it through the sensitive skin on their feet and trunks. Scientists believe this is how individuals as well as groups communicate from a distance. Elephants also use body language, tactile communication which uses the elephant’s sense of touch, and chemical communication which uses their acute sense of smell.