Why Elephants Never Forget 1
Last Modified: 03/07/2020
Elephants are not only known for their huge size but also for their impressive memory.
- 1Unlike many proverbs, the one about elephant memory is scientifically accurate.
- 2Elephants know every member in their herd,...
- 3...able to recognize as many as 30 companions by sight or smell.
- 4This is a great help when migrating...
- 5...or encountering other potentially hostile elephants.
- 6They also remember and distinguish particular cues that signal danger...
- 7...and can recall important locations long after their last visit.
- 8But it's the memories unrelated to survival that are the most fascinating.
- 9Elephants remember not only their herd companions...
- 10...but other creatures who have made a strong impression on them.
- 11In one case, two circus elephants that had briefly performed together...
- 12...rejoiced when crossing paths 23 years later.
- 13This recognition isn't limited to others of their species.
- 14Elephants have also recognized humans they've bonded with after decades apart.
- 15All of this shows that elephant memory goes beyond responses to stimuli
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