Elephants are huge and surprisingly agile animals. They can run at speeds of up to 25 mph, and their babies are able to support themselves and walk on their own within just hours of birth! In fact, after only a few days, the baby elephants are strong and fast enough to keep up with the walking and running of the adult herd. But can elephants swim?
Let’s take a closer look at how elephants behave in water rather than on land. How does a large animal like a giant elephant stay afloat anyway? Can elephants swim underwater? Read on to learn more; the answers will surprise you!
How do elephants swim?
Surprisingly, Elephant is a very strong natural swimmer. Almost all species of mammals are able to swim from birth.the only mammal cannot The natural swimmers are humans and most other primates, who have to learn by trial and error, and some unusual species, like giraffes and camels, that haven’t evolved swimming at all because they don’t have much exposure to water .
Despite their massive size, elephants’ bodies are buoyant enough to stay afloat even when they’re not actively swimming. Similar to humans and many other mammals, they can simply stop swimming and allow their bodies to surface if they get tired.
Elephants swim by simply using their thick legs to propel themselves through the water in a “dog paddle”. Their legs are so powerful that they can swim continuously for up to six hours at a time! They often travel in large groups across large bodies of water for food sources and shelter, or use lakes and rivers as short cuts to get from one place to another.
During an average swim, an elephant keeps its head and body below the surface of the water as it paddles its thick limbs back and forth. However, it keeps its powerful torso above the water and uses it as a sort of snorkel so that it can still breathe even if the rest of its body is in the water for hours at a time. This means that elephants are almost never drowned!
Do elephants like swimming?
Swimming is an amazing pastime for many elephants, especially among babies and juveniles! Besides swimming just to get where they need to go or to keep their bodies cool while traversing a scorching hot habitat, these gentle giants actually like to swim for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Elephants are highly sociable and curious, and will even “play” in groups among their herds. When they encounter a body of water, they often swim together and splash each other with their limbs and torso.
Studies have shown that both captive and wild elephants engage in social play from time to time, and play is often an indicator of long-term survival and success in the wild. Even the older members of the herd sometimes join in, letting the little ones climb on them and playfully splash them with water!
Can elephants swim underwater?
Yes, elephants can swim great distances underwater too! By using their trunks as a modified snorkel, elephants can dive underwater and swim amazingly long distances while fully submerged. They keep their torso above the water’s surface and their body below the surface.
Admittedly, elephants are not very deep divers, although they can hold their breath for a few minutes or so in dire situations. They’re very fond of keeping their torso out of the water as much as possible, and they don’t have much reason to swim deep underwater. So, although they can technically swim completely underwater, elephants tend to stay only a foot or two deep.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
