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Inspiring Elephant Moving to the Beat of its Own Drum

elephant plays drum
Elephant plays the drum. Image by the pet collective on youtube.

Today, we embark on an awe-inspiring journey into the world of elephants, exploring their remarkable abilities, the connection between their brains and hearts, and a wholesome video that showcases an elephant’s extraordinary talent – playing the drums.

The Elephant Brain

elephant plays drum
Elephant close up. Image via Pexels.

Elephants, the largest land animals on our planet, also boast some of the largest brains in the animal kingdom. Weighing a whopping 10 to 12 pounds, an elephant’s brain explains their incredible intelligence. Elephants exhibit extraordinary memory, often recalling specific places, individuals, and experiences for many years. Their ability to navigate vast landscapes and maintain social bonds over great distances underscores their remarkable cognitive prowess.

Elephant Communication

elephant plays drum
Blakc and white elephant image. Image via Pexels.

One of the most interestig aspects of elephants is their communication system. They converse with each other using an array of sounds, including trumpets, rumbles, and roars, each carrying a different meaning. The low-frequency infrasound travels great distances, allowing them to communicate with fellow elephants far beyond the range of human hearing.

The Tender Heart of Elephants

elephant plays drum
Elephant spraying sand on itself to cool down. Image via pexels.

Elephants are known not only for their physical strength but also for their emotional depth. These animals form tight-knit family groups led by a matriarch who guides and protects her herd. Within these familial units, elephants display an incredible capacity for empathy, often caring for injured or grieving group members.

The Incredible Drumming Elephant

African elephant
African elephant in musth. You can tell he’s in musth by the liquid (temporin) being secreted from the temporal glands in his face. Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Amid the myriad talents elephants exhibit, a recent video shared shows an elephant learning to play the drums. A drummer plays his drum in front of an elephant, and soon, the elephant displays its extraordinary ability to create rhythmic beats on the drum by tapping its trunk on it.

YouTube video
“Adorable Elephant Learns to Play the Drums! #Elephants #Shorts” Source: YouTube, Uploaded: The Pet Collective

The Elephant’s Role in Conservation

Elephant and Calve
Elephant mothers nurse their calves for four to six years. Image via Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

As herbivores, they shape landscapes by dispersing seeds and creating pathways through dense vegetation. Their role as “ecosystem engineers” impacts numerous plant and animal species’ survival, vital for preserving biodiversity. Unfortunately, elephants face numerous threats, including habitat loss, poaching for ivory, and human-wildlife conflicts.

Conclusion

Elephant family in Tanzania
elephants are extremely social and form complex relationships, working together. Image via Floodmfx, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ultimately, elephants are sentient beings with complex minds, deep emotions, and incredible abilities. From their memory to communication, these gentle giants continue to amaze us. I hope you enjoyed reading about the elephant that played the drum.

    Latest posts by Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology (see all)