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Researchers Discover the Social World of Male Elephants
Male elephants leave their family herds during adolescence, and experts assumed they lived lonely, solitary lives, but new research shows the opposite.
As the only humans left, we commonly assume we’re also the only so-called intelligent species on the planet. However, this assumption is changing as animal sciences advance and identify species with remarkable intelligence, like elephants. Not only are elephants supremely smart, but they’re also highly empathic with complex relationships and communities that mirror our own in many ways. Some experts even suggest elephants should have personhood.
Aside from their intelligence, elephants’ social behaviors are especially interesting. One reason is that they form matriarchies, where elder females lead their female relatives. Meanwhile, the males leave their herd during adolescence, after which it was assumed that they live lonely, solitary lives. However, recent research spanning two decades has discovered that this assumption about male elephants is wrong.
African Elephants
Weighing an average of 6 tons and standing 11 feet (3.3 meters) at the shoulder, African elephants hold the title of being the largest land animal…
