In light of Elephant Appreciation Day this week, September 22, here are some fun elephant facts and awesome pictures of the majestic animal.
1. Elephants are the largest animals on land in the world.
2. Elephants are the only mammals who cannot jump.
3. Like cats, elephants purr to communicate.
4. Elephants can "hear" through their feet, picking up vibrations from other elephants.
5. Elephant trunks contain over 40,000 muscles and can pick up things as small as a grain of rice.
6. Elephants can live to be over 70 years old. The oldest elephant was an Asian elephant, who died at the age of 86.
7. Elephants are emotional animals - capable of crying and grieving.
8. Elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror.
Unfortunately, the population of elephants is steadily decreasing, and the World Wildlife Fund has categorized the African and Asian elephant to be endangered. It's on us, as citizens of the world, to make the effort to end poaching among elephants and preserve these amazing animals.