Hello, elephant lovers! Today, we are thrilled to share with you some captivating and rare footage showcasing the majestic sight of a massive herd of approximately 200 elephants gracefully crossing a vast reservoir. This mesmerizing scene was expertly captured by our drone camera, highlighting the challenging yet rewarding effort involved in documenting such a breathtaking scene.
During the monsoon season, the large tanks are replenished with water. . The elephant herd travels many miles to access this precious water source. In the banks of the tank, abundant tender grasses have grown, serving as a favorite food for the elephants.
Elephants have a fascinating social structure, with the basic family unit called a breeding herd. It consists of related females, including a mother and her grown daughters with their offspring. The matriarch, recognizable as the largest cow in the herd, leads the group and sets the activities and movements.
In this clip, you'll see them diving into this huge water source, having a great time as they swim across to the other side of the tank. It's their way of making it back home to their native habitats.
Let’s take an in-depth look at how elephants fare in water rather than on land. How does such a large animal like an elephant keep itself afloat, anyway? Can elephants swim underwater, too?
Water holds a special place in the hearts of elephants. In the wild, they consume approximately 150 to 200 liters of water daily, explaining their frequent presence near freshwater sources. By the age of around one year, elephants typically master the art of trunk-drinking by observing their parents or other experienced members of the herd. Due to the absence of sweat glands, elephants not only drink water to stay hydrated but also relish cooling off their bodies and engaging in playful splashes with their companions.
Amazingly, elephants are very strong natural swimmers. Almost all species of mammals are able to swim from birth.
Practically all mammal species have an innate ability to swim right from birth. Elephants employ a simple yet effective technique for swimming - they use their massive legs to paddle, much like a dog would. Their immense leg strength enables them to swim for up to six hours without interruption. Often, they traverse significant water bodies collectively to reach food and shelter, or they utilize lakes and rivers as convenient shortcuts to get from place to place.
On an average swim, an elephant maintains its head and body just beneath the water's surface while paddling its massive limbs in a back-and-forth motion. Interestingly, the elephant ensures its formidable trunk remains elevated above the water, functioning like a snorkel. This adaptation enable the elephant to breathe even when the rest of its body stays in the water for hours at a time. Consequently, elephants have a remarkable ability to avoid drowning!
Swimming is a surprising pastime for many elephants, especially among babies and juveniles! Aside from swimming simply to get to where they need to go or to keep their bodies cool when traversing their scorching hot habitats, these gentle giants actually enjoy swimming for pure enjoyment, too.
Support us on patreon / elephantzone
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @elephantzone
Stay with us to watch more videos on majestic elephants and don’t forget to subscribe our channel. Enjoy and let us know your comments about in this video.
bit.ly/2VNE94E
#ElephantZone #elephanttreatment #elephantrescue