“You have a memory like an elephant” – we have all used this phrase for a person who never seems to forget anything. Yes, there are still some of them, although dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and memory problems are increasingly common and in younger people. But now we will talk about the wonders of the animal world and what is so special about elephant memory.
Wisdom, intelligence and long-term memory – these are the things with which we most often associate huge animals that can reach a weight of several tons. But not only that is impressive, but also the abilities of their brain, which have repeatedly surprised scientists.
According to various studies, elephants are very good at both short-term and episodic memory, as well as remembering routes and individual individuals even for several decades. And just like us, humans, the ability to remember faces or where there are water sources is literally vital for them. Here’s what we know about elephant memory.
Elephants can remember places – both dangerous and safe. Sometimes they travel hundreds of kilometers to get to a place they were 10, 20 or more years ago because they remember that there is water and suitable living conditions there.
Elephants remember and recognize some physical features of members of their family and herd – trunks, tusks and more. According to studies, they can even recognize them from bones and remains and have been observed grieving for them after their death, which is truly impressive.
Even more impressive is how elephants remember threats against themselves, the dangers that lurk in the wild. It has been found that they react with anxiety when they see people dressed as members of tribes who are chasing them. Their social intelligence and memory reach the point where they can recognize friends and enemies, just as they recognize faces, shapes, colors and situations.
Elephant memory is a great helper in their migrations and survival. During their long lives, often over 60 years, they manage to build a mental map of places and experiences and know where it is and is not good to pass or return.
Most often, this knowledge is possessed by the elderly females who lead the group and take care of its security. With their wisdom, they make informed and very important decisions based on experience, knowledge and memories, and not on instincts. Young individuals, on the other hand, remain under their care for a long time because they do not have the same memory and knowledge of the surrounding world, and this puts them in danger, explains the Times of India.
Illustrative Photo by Charl Durand: https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-elephant-with-its-calf-6436321/
We acknowledge The European Times for the information.
