Elephants are one of the most majestic and awe-inspiring creatures on Earth. Despite being one of the largest land animals on the planet, there is still a lot that we don’t know about them. Here are 10 lesser-known facts about elephants.

1. Elephants have a complex social structure – Elephants live in groups, led by a matriarch, who is usually the oldest female in the group. These groups can contain up to several hundred elephants, and they are incredibly social creatures that exhibit a range of emotions and complex communication.

2. Elephants never forget – It is a popular belief that elephants have excellent memory, and it is true. Elephants remember other elephants they’ve met and even remember humans after several years of not seeing them.

3. They have an acute sense of smell – Elephants have a highly developed sense of smell, which is essential to their survival. They use it to detect food, water, and even danger.

4. Elephants are intelligent creatures – Elephants show a high level of intelligence, which has been demonstrated through various tests and experiments. They have been known to use tools, solve problems, and are even thought to have self-awareness.

5. The African elephant is the largest land animal on Earth – African elephants are the largest land animal on the planet, weighing in at up to 6,600 pounds and standing up to 13 feet tall at the shoulder.

6. Elephants cry – Elephants have been documented shedding tears, and it is thought to be a sign of emotion. They have also been seen comforting each other during times of distress.

7. They are excellent swimmers – Despite their size, elephants are excellent swimmers. They can swim long distances, and their trunk acts as a snorkel, allowing them to breathe while underwater.

8. Elephants can communicate over long distances – Elephants are known to communicate with each other over long distances through infrasonic sound waves that can travel up to six miles.

9. They are the only animal that can’t jump – Elephants are unique in that they are the only animal that can’t jump. Despite their great size and strength, their body composition makes it difficult for them to lift all four feet off the ground at the same time.

10. Elephants are an endangered species – Sadly, elephants are an endangered species due to poaching for their ivory tusks and habitat loss. It is estimated that there are only 415,000 African elephants left in the wild and around 40,000 Asian elephants.

In conclusion, elephants are truly remarkable animals with many fascinating characteristics that make them unique. However, with the current threat of extinction, it is important that we all take action to protect these gentle giants and their habitat.