Can Elephants Swim?
What a question! don't you think an elephant, such a big animal, can swim?
In this article you'll know.
Elephants are excellent swimmers like all other mammals. The only mammals that have to learn to swim are humans and the primates. And for some of us is a really difficult thing because in some cases we never get to learn how to do it.
The pachyderm’s massive body, very surprisingly, gives them enough buoyancy to float easily. They swim completely submerged, with their head above the water and their mouths below, and use all four legs to paddle. The biggest advantage that elephants have above all other mammals is their trunk. A very versatile proboscis, they use their trunk like a snorkel. This enables them to breathe normally when swimming and allows them to swim long distances.
Elephants love water and are great divers. You will often see an elephant sticking its trunk up for breath and disappearing under water for a considerable amount of time. Baby elephants enjoy playing in water.
I was really surprised when I figured this out, I thought for them was harder, but instead it is harder for us.
By: Dina Reyes
Bibliography:http://www.wildanimalpark.org/can-elephants-swim/
