‘If a little is not enough for you, nothing is.’ –Epicurus
Asian elephants have long been considered somewhat antisocial. Instead of living in large, tightly knit herds, as do female elephants on the African savanna, those in Asia were thought to have only small groups of friends and few outside connections. But a new study shows that many female Asian elephants are more like social butterflies, with numerous pals. And they’re able to maintain strong friendships even with those they have not seen in a year or more.
The study adds Asian elephants to a short list of other species, including dolphins, that are able to maintain complex social relationships despite not having daily contact, an ability regarded as being cognitively demanding.
{ Science | Continue reading | Read more: Elephant Research }
Elephants know the difference between good vibrations and bad, according to new research into the big animals’ low, rumbling alarm calls. They pay attention to seismic waves made by elephants they know and ignore those of strangers.
photo { Nick Brandt }
