Elephants are the mammals that manage to reach the largest sizes among land animals, an aspect that, without a doubt, makes them majestic and imposing individuals. But its size is not its only peculiar trait. These proboscideans have particular characteristics associated with their behavior, to the point that, for many specialists, they are particularly intelligent animals, which is reflected in the way they communicate. It has been proven that they develop a complex system of interactions through different mechanisms. If you want to know how elephants communicate, we invite you to continue reading this article on our site.
The language of elephants
Language comprises the various forms of communication that are used. In the case of elephants, it has been determined that they communicate visually, chemically, acoustically and tactilely, including the perception of vibrations, which shows the complexity of their communication systemThis is linked to their form of social organization, since they are animals that are grouped in matriarchal herds, made up mainly of females and their descendants. Adult males, on the other hand, usually live alone, staying in small groups close to the one formed by females. That is why elephants require various forms of communication to stay connected and transmit different types of information. More details:
- Visual communication: Although they don't have the best vertebrate vision, elephants rely on it to communicate, so this it is important to perceive movements and behaviors of the members of the herd.
- Chemical communication: it is highly optimized thanks to the peculiar nose of these mammals, capable of perceiving various chemical stimuli, even at long distances, an aspect that serves them for reproduction and also to detect food. Check out our article on what elephants eat for more on this topic.
- Acoustic communication: Elephants have developed their acoustic communication system very efficiently, so that the emission of various sounds is determinant for the interaction between the individuals of the species. In addition, they have an auditory system that is among the most efficient in the animal world.
- Touch Communication: Touch is used by pack members to transmit messages, primarily between mothers and their offspring.
In the following sections we review examples of how elephants use these forms of communication.
How Elephants Talk
Elephant communication, as we have seen, is very complex. Depending on whether it is visual, chemical, tactile or acoustic, elephants are capable of conveying different messages. These are some examples.
Body language
Visual communication between elephants allows them to detect certain particular messages. For example, the position of the ears and the trunk convey clear information, as does the body postureIn this way, one elephant can "read" or perceive another through its sense of sight.
Communication for Playback
The nose or proboscis of elephants is a complex structure made up of thousands of muscles, as well as multiple nerve endings in the nasal canal, which allows them to perceive chemical signals (smells) at great distances. In this sense, during the reproductive season a male can perceive the chemical changes that occur in females and thus proceed to courtship. You can read our article on how elephants reproduce if you are interested in learning more about this aspect.
Why are elephants trumpeting?
Acoustic communication is another remarkable way that elephants stay connected. Thus, these large mammals emit various types of sounds. Some can be easily heard even by people, but there are others that are infrasonic and that only they detect. Depending on whether the communication is established between mothers and children, males and females in the reproductive season or members of the same herd, the elephants will use different frequencies, which can even be perceived up to about 2.5 km away.
Touch Language
The form of tactile communication includes, mainly, the use of the trunk, which, as we have mentioned, is provided with numerous nerve endings. For this reason, elephants use it to touch each other, although it is also common for them to use their tails to perceive textures or what is behind them.
Communication through vibrations
The forms of communication of the elephants do not end in those that we have explained, since it has been determined that they are also capable of detecting vibrations in the ground, mainly through their legs. And it is that the elephants can emit different types of footprints to transmit a particular message to other elephants. For example, a mother does it when she feels threatened. They are also able to perceive, through vibrations, if a natural event is about to occur or if people or other animals are approaching.
What is musth?
This is a period that bull elephants go through During this stage they show significant behavioral and hormonal changes. Other individuals can perceive this temporary transformation because they secrete a substance through a skin gland located in the cheeks and increase their levels of testosterone and other hormones. Additionally, their physical disposition changes, walking more upright and becoming violent. They also emit specific infrasounds, mainly older elephants. These sounds can only be detected by their congeners.
How do elephants communicate over great distances?
To make themselves understood over long distances, elephants use various means. A fairly effective one is chemical communication, since, as we have mentioned, they have one of the most developed olfactory systems in the animal world. On the other hand, they can also use the acoustic communication, emitting various sounds, many so low in frequency that only they can hear them. In this way they manage to transmit fear, aggressiveness, submission, etc. Finally, the vibration communication on the ground can also be received at certain distances, so they use it when they are not close to each other.
