There are more than 40000 muscles in the trunk of an elephant. These are further divided into 150000 units. This allows them to tear down tree branches or gently pick up a seed pod like this without damaging it.
Testing the wind. This young elephant was being cautious about our presence in the area. Making certain that it was safe was a priority before continuing to enjoy the leaves that it was eating as it moved through the vegetation.
What a happy ‘smiling’ face.
Two generations…mother and youngster move together through the bush.
The elephant on the right was foraging for roots and tubers which the youngster was trying to get a taste of.
Elephant mothers are extremely protective of their offspring. Although they are not seen as a prey species, there have been recorded incidents where lions have killed and eaten youngsters.
Time for a clean up?
Baby elephants do not naturally know how their trunk operates. They can provide endless entertainment for visitors as they try to figure out what the appendage actually does!
Did you know? It is only when they are 6-8 months old that the young elephants start to learn how to use their trunk. At about a year old they have control of their trunks to almost the same extent as the adults in the herd.
They do know how to use it to suckle, but further than that, especially around water, it is a mystery that can take months to unravel.
Did you know? Baby elephants are about 1m tall and almost 100kg at birth. They will suckle for up to two years, sometimes longer. The females will always remain within their birth herd, while males will be forced to leave and either form bachelor groups or live a solitary life. The males will only interact with females for mating purposes.
Slowly a herd leaves a waterhole. Not in a rush like impala often do, but at a stately and sedate pace, that enhances their status as the largest land animal on the African continent.
Did you know? There are 14 times more elephants than lions in Africa?
“Now I know what to do with it”! Finally, a young elephant is at an age where it is able to utilize its trunk correctly.
“I think I shall just sit here and contemplate for a while”! While humans pay money for mud treatments at health Spa’s, elephants enjoy this treatment on a daily basis.
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