8 Surprising Facts About Elephants

Get ready to learn some fascinating elephant facts... 

There are not many left

There are about 400,000 African elephants left in the world, but only 40,000 or so Asian elephants.  

Ladies rule! 

Elephant herds are led by female matriarchs who make the decisions, guiding herds to food, water, and safety.

Elephants can’t run 

But they can walk very fast. Their charging speed is over 15mph. 

Elephants really do have astonishing memories

They can recognise each other, their carers, geographical locations... even after many years.

Careful and graceful! 

Forest elephants walk almost silently, stepping over obstacles and navigating difficult terrain without disturbing their environment.

Compassionate

They care deeply for each other, comforting one another by touching and vocalising.

Elephants express deep sorrow

In their mourning of the dead, they return to the remains of their dead, and vocalise. 

Elephants are sophisticated in using tools

For comfort (branches as fly swatters), survival (bark to plug waterholes), and defence (throwing things!)

They even make their own straw sun hats by plonking straw on their heads!

This fantastic blog has been written by Colette Hiller. Discover more about elephants in the spectacular true story picture book, The Elephant and the Piano by Colette Hiller and illustrated by Nabila Adani.