The African Elephant, my favourite animal to see at Londolozi, and the largest land mammal on Earth, is a majestic creature that has captured the imagination of people worldwide. These gentle giants are more than just their size and strength; they are deeply intelligent, socially complex, and integral to their ecosystems. I am often asked about the features of the African Elephant when on a game drive, so here are five interesting and unusual facts about African Elephants that reveal just how extraordinary they truly are.
1. Ears for Africa
One of the most iconic features of the African elephant is its large, fan-like ears. What makes them even more special is their resemblance to the shape of the African Continent. But these ears aren’t just for show; they serve a vital purpose in regulating body temperature. African Elephants live in hot climates, and their ears act as natural cooling systems. The thin skin and network of blood vessels and veins in the ears, allow heat to dissipate when the elephants flap them before their enormous heart (+- 25 kilograms in weight) pump the cooler blood from behind their ears through the rest of their massive bodies.

The large number of blood vessels in an elephant’s ears covered by a thin layer of skin assists in carrying cooler blood to the brain and the rest of the body.
2. Sound from the Ground
While Elephants are well-known for their trumpeting calls, they also communicate in ways that are less obvious to the human ear. African elephants can detect and send low-frequency rumbles and vibrations that travel through the ground as seismic waves. These vibrations can be sensed through their highly sensitive feet, enabling them to communicate over long distances—sometimes up to 10 kilometres away. This unique ability is crucial for coordinating herd movements and warning others of potential dangers.

The sensitivity of the underside of an elephant’s foot allows for the animal to receive the seismic vibrations used in their communication. Soft tissue fibres and cartilage in the base of the foot are receptive to the vibrations and form a critical part of Elephant communication.
3. Keystone Species
African Elephants are often referred to as “architects of the savanna” because of their significant impact on their habitats. They are considered keystone species, meaning their presence is essential for maintaining the structure and health of their ecosystems. For example, Elephants use their tusks to dig for water, creating drinking holes and mud wallows, that benefit other animals. They also knock down trees while foraging, which helps maintain the balance between grasslands and forests, as well as providing homes and shelter for insects and other terrestrial animals, like mongooses. By dispersing seeds through their extremely fertile dung droppings, they contribute to the regeneration of vegetation, ensuring the survival of various plant species.
4. Good Mourning
Elephants are known for their remarkable emotional intelligence, and one of the most poignant examples of this is their response to death. African elephants have been observed exhibiting mourning behaviours, such as staying with a deceased herd member’s body, gently touching the bones with their trunks, trying to move the bones, and even covering the body with leaves and branches.
![Elephant Trunk Smelling Elephant Bones (3) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/11112856/Elephant-Trunk-Smelling-Elephant-Bones-3-RCB-1398x932.jpg)
It would seem as though this elephant was intently investigating what looked like the pelvis of the dead elephant by smelling it and moving it around with its trunk.

A sight to behold! An elephant skull lies near the road, but it is constantly moved across and around the existing position as family members practice mourning rituals to remember their lost herd members.
5. The Trunk: A Multifunctional Marvel
The African Elephant’s trunk is one of the most versatile and powerful appendages in the animal kingdom. It’s a combination of the upper lip and nose, containing over 40,000 muscles—far more than the entire human body. This incredible tool allows elephants to perform a wide range of tasks, from picking up tiny objects like a single blade of grass to ripping branches off trees. Their trunks are also used for drinking water (+-200 litres per day), smelling their surroundings, and even expressing affection by intertwining them with other elephants’ trunks. The dexterity and strength of their trunks are nothing short of extraordinary.
The fascinating and unusual characteristics of African elephants not only deepen our appreciation for them but also underscore the importance of preserving their habitats and combating threats to their existence. These magnificent creatures are not just a wonder of the natural world; they are vital to the health of ecosystems and the biodiversity of our planet.
Whether it’s their uniquely shaped ears, seismic communication, or mourning rituals, African elephants continue to amaze me with their amazing complexity and grace.
Thank you for the information on these magnificent animals. For their size they are one of the most gentle animals we still have the pleasure to observe in their natural environment.
Hi Lana,
I totally agree – they are incredible animals, and it is such a privilege to be able to view them the way we do.
Nice job, Nic.
Thank you, David.
Thanks Nic for the review of the African elephant. They are my favorite animal.
Hi William.
They are my favourite animal as well. There’s a deep complexity to their behaviour and one can never tire from watching them in their natural habitat.
I find the most surprising thing about elephants is how quiet they sound when they are casually walking.
I must agree Cynthia.
I recently had the pleasure of seeing a breeding herd of elephants on my way back to camp, in the evening. We turned off all the lights and kept very quiet to softly hear them moving and feeding around the vehicle. It was surreal!
Hi Nick, great article, but do you know that giraffe show similar behaviour to elephants and have similar way to communicate but for the fact that we can’t hear them ever? I think there’s a lot to discover in many creatures… elephants are surely a marvel of nature and help relax! So pleasant to see!
Hi Francesca.
I have read a few articles about giraffe showing similar behavioural traits to those mentioned above. As you say, there’s so much mystery and so many learnings we can still take from these wild animals. We are incredibly lucky.
Hi Nic, the gentle giant is an amazing mammal. The five facts of the elephant are very interesting and stunning at the same time. The way they mourn after one of their family dies is astronomical. Their trunk is an amazing tool that can be used for different things. Extra ordinary mammal and must be appreciated at all times and be protected at all times.
Absolutely Valmai.
Elephants are very important in shaping environmental spaces, Londolozi included, and as a result, it is important we try and understand their behaviour that will aid in their protection for many generations to come.
African elephants are magnificent! I’ve been blessed with multiple encounters with them at Londolozi.
Lucky you Judith, what an amazing experience.
Interesting blog, Nic. I’ve always wondered why the African elephant’s ears are so large compared to its Asian cousins as the latter live in hot conditions as well. Do Asian elephants have another means to help them keep cool?
Hi Mary Beth.
Thank you for the comment.
Asian Elephants and African Elephants are very similar, however, aside from their general size differences, Asian elephants practice more water and mud bathing than African elephants. This helps to keep them cool and also protects their skin from the sun. Furthermore, the densely shaded habitats of the Asian elephants means they benefit from natural shade, reducing their direct exposure to the sun.
Dear Nic, thanks for this views about elephants, love them
Absolute pleasure Jutta. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Elephants are such extraordinarily special animals. Thanks, Nic for all this information on them.
I love watching breeding herds, the antiques of the young ones and “teenagers” are often so funny.
It’s also great to watch how young bulls are being taught by the older ones about life as an elephant .
Hopefully this iconic species will be around to be admired and estimated for many more generations.
Hi Christa.
Yes, elephant herd dynamics are fascinating to watch. The composition of the herd is often multi-generational and it is amazing to see the care that is shared among all individuals. Being long-lived mammals, young elephants will always have a lot to learn from the older individuals, both males and females.
I also enjoy the playfulness and attitude of some of the younger ‘teenagers’.