elephant trunk

Elephant trunk

The proboscis, or trunk, is a fusion nose and upper lip, elongated and specialized to become the most important and versatile appendage of an elephant. The tip of the proboscis of African elephants are equipped with two protuberances resembling fingers while Asian elephants have only one of these. According to biologists, the elephant's trunk may have about forty thousand individual muscles, which is sensitive enough to pick up a single blade of grass, but at the same time strong enough to rip the branches of a tree. Some sources indicate that the correct number of muscles in the trunk of an elephant is closer to one hundred thousand.

Most herbivorous (plant-eating, such as elephant) have teeth adapted to cut and tear plants. However, with the exception of the very young or infirm, elephants always use their trunks to pluck the food and take it to the mouth. They graze grass or run up the trees to pick up leaves, fruits or whole branches. If the desired food is too high, the elephant wraps his trunk in the trunk or branch and shake until the food is released or, sometimes, simply completely drops the tree.

The trunk is also used for drinking. Elephants suck water through the trunk (up to fourteen liters at a time) and then pour it into the mouth. Elephants also inhale water to dump on the body while bathing. On this layer of water, the animal then dumps dirt and mud to serve as a sunscreen. If anything, the trunk can also serve as a breathing tube.

This appendix is ​​also an important part of social interactions. known elephants-greet wrapping their trunks, like a shake of hands. They also use it while playing, to stroke during the cutting or interactions between mother and children, and shows of force - one raised trunk can be a warning sign or threat, while a fallen trunk can be a sign of submission. Elephants can defend themselves effectively slamming the trunk intruders or grabbing them and throwing them into the air.

The trunk also serves to give the elephant a very keen sense of smell. Raising the trunk in the air and moving it from one side to the other, like a periscope, the elephant can determine the location of friends, enemies or food supplies.