Many people believe that only humans are playful and have a sense of humor, but new studies show that elephants also exhibit these traits. These traits are critical for the development of social and physical sᴋɪʟʟs that are essential for survival.

For African elephants, having fun doesn’t just happen when they’re young; both male and female elephants still enjoy themselves in their 40s and 50s (the species typically lives up to around 70 years).

When playing, elephants are quite inventive and occasionally use bones, stones, plants, or sticks. These pachyderms are known for their trademark “floppy runs,” in which they trot while their enormous ears swing from side to side while trumpeting and snorting.

Elephants live in a largely matriarchal community where moms teach many of the social sᴋɪʟʟs needed for survival on their young. Calves need their elders not only for food, shelter, and instruction, but also to fundamentally learn how to behave like an elephant.

Males become independent by the age of five, and they may even abandon the herd entirely when they reach adulthood, whereas young females remain with their herd for the most, if not the entirety, of their life.

Read more at Elephant World category