Hanekom Family in Wellington New Zealand
Elephants use their feet to detect and interpret vibrations in the ground.
The feet stomping display of aggression can be detected some distance away as warning vibrations traveling through the ground, causing the elephants to gather in defensive formations .
It has also been noted that if unknowns vibrations are detected, the animals vacate the area.
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The Elephant has the longest gestation period of any mammal (roughly 22 months). This is longer than larger mammals like whales including the largest of all; the Blue Whale.
Interestingly, the Indian Elephant, which is smaller than the African Elephant has a longer gestation period (mean of 645 and 640 days respectively).
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Most four legged animals have a definitive gait change when they want to move faster; walk, trot, galop.
The elephant by contrast walks and walks faster. Even at its top speed at least one foot always touches the ground.
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Did you know, during their lifetime, elephants have six successive sets of molars? A new set develops in the back of the jaw and moves forward to replace an older set that has worn away grinding down the vegetation they eat.
A single tooth can weigh as much as 5 kilograms.
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