Sara Boboltz The Huffington Post 12/08/2014 13:30 BST |Updated 06/12/2017 22:18 GMT page 3
6. And they're smarter than we give them credit for. Research in the past decade has shown elephants to rival the brainiacs of the animal kingdom in their ability to use tools. Elephants have been observed using tools in captivity and the wild, including branches to swat away flies. In one study, however, researchers were able to show just how insightful this species can be. After hanging a delicious cantaloupe treat in the enclosure of seven-year-old Kandula -- just out of reach -- researchers observed him rolling a square cube to the treat, standing on it for better reach. What was remarkable about that feat, the researchers explained, was that Kandula did it without any trial and error, demonstrating an understanding of cause-and-effect problem-solving. Watch him here.
7. Some of them are even gay. Bonds between male elephants of the same sex have been observed in the wild -- homosexual mounting and erotic play being a fairly common sight between young males in particular.
And it's also been observed at a certain zoo in Poland, angering a local politician. ("We were supposed to have a herd, but as Ninio prefers male friends over females, how will he produce offspring?") Unlike humans, elephants are probably a little more accepting of others' personal preferences.
8. Elephants are all-around curious and creative creatures. Prepare to be dazzled by the not-entirely-harmonious piano stylings of this elephant named Peter and his human friend!