# Elephants (DD-140)

> Elephants are the largest living land animals, with three living species: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. Females and young live in close family herds led by an older matriarch, whose experience helps the group find water and avoid danger. A 2006 study found that one of three Asian elephants tested passed the mirror self-recognition test. Researchers have also documented elephants lingering at and touching the remains of dead elephants. Elephants communicate with calls, touch and body language, including infrasonic rumbles below the range of human hearing that can carry for kilometers. The footage shows elephants in the wild, with the presenter.

- Department: Nature (also Science)
- First published: 2023-12-24
- Last updated: 2023-12-24
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/elephants/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-140-F01**: There are three living elephant species. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Three species))_
- **DD-140-F02**: Family herds are led by an older female. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Matriarchs))_

## Write-up

Elephants can talk over kilometers with sound too low to hear. Researchers have seen an Asian elephant recognize itself in a mirror.

1. **Three species**: There are three living elephant species.
2. **Matriarchs**: Family herds are led by an older female.
3. **Mirror test**: One of three Asian elephants passed the mirror test in a 2006 study.
4. **Responses to death**: Elephants have been seen lingering at the remains of dead elephants.
5. **Infrasound**: Low rumbles can travel for kilometers.

## Related case files

- [Tigers (DD-112)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/tigers/): I linked another big, endangered mammal
- [Rhinos (DD-142)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/rhinos/): I linked another giant land mammal
- [Suricata Suricatta (DD-139)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/suricata-suricatta/): I paired it with another animal that lives in close family groups

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'These intelligent creatures are capable of recognizing themselves in a mirror': only one of three Asian elephants passed in the 2006 study, so it's shown in some individuals, not all.
- **Note**: 'Mourn their dead': researchers describe the behavior, but whether it is mourning is an interpretation.

## Video: Elephants: Elephants Can Talk Over Kilometers With Sound Too Low to Hear

- Duration: 24.8 s · Published: 2023-12-24
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C1QiaZtNFyZ.mp4

### Transcript

Elephants have an incredible memory, and they are known for their strong social bonds. DID YOU KNOW? These intelligent creatures are capable of recognizing themselves in a mirror, displaying a form of self-awareness. Elephants also mourn their dead and show empathy towards other members of their group. The intricate communication within elephant herds involves a variety of vocalizations, body language, and even infrasound. Low-frequency sounds that can travel over long distances to convey messages to other elephants. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How many living elephant species are there?**  
A: Two African, one Asian. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Three species) · Wikipedia: Elephant)_

**Q: Who leads a family herd?**  
A: The matriarch. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Matriarchs) · Wikipedia: Elephant)_

**Q: How many of three tested Asian elephants passed the mirror test in 2006?**  
A: The study was in Asian elephants. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Mirror test) · Wikipedia: Elephant cognition)_

**Q: What have researchers seen at dead elephants?**  
A: The meaning is debated. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Responses to death) · Wikipedia: Elephant cognition)_

**Q: What is infrasound?**  
A: It travels far. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Infrasound) · Wikipedia: Elephant; Wikipedia: Elephant cognition)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Elephant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant)
- [Wikipedia: Elephant cognition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_cognition)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Elephants." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-140, last updated Dec 24, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/elephants/