The truth about the 'she' elephants in the elephant world

For more than 40 years, Professor Phyllis Lee has collected data from 800 different elephants in Amboseli National Park in Kenya. And interestingly, Professor Lee found out: V- conceived survival depends on the presence of the "she" elephant .

In fact, most animals do not have " grandmother " but elephants are different. What Professor Phyllis Lee revealed below will surprise you.

Source: Benh Lieu Song / Flickr

We are all very fortunate to have both grandparents and grandparents

For each of us, grandparents are the embodiment of the experienced, caring and counseling people. Not to mention that many people are raised and grown up next to their grandparents - families do not mean that only parents and fathers raise their children.

In fact, the percentage of children born in households with both grandparents and grandparents doubled - from 1970 about 3% to 2016 was 7%. According to the 2012 study, more than 5 million children need grandparents care.

So fair to say we are really lucky to have grandparents.

Do you know which animals have " grandma "?

The elephant's "grandmother" is very important!

Elephants often live in colonies, including young elephants, immature elephants and female elephants. The oldest female elephant - often playing an important role in elephants - will be the leader.

Professor Phyllis Lee wanted to understand more about the organization of elephants and said: " It was an unexpected finding for us. We do not think we will see the close relationship between the presence of elephants." She 'helped the female elephants reproduce easily '.

Only a few animals - humans and other primates, whales and elephants - have " grandma "

For most animals, living and reproducing are two things that often go together and they often stop giving birth when they die. This helps animals like elephants to live after spawning.

It is one of the special reasons that elephants can live so long and live until the age of 70! This is simple but many other animals cannot live until they see their children ( ie grandchildren ). Even without any relationship with the elephant, the "she" elephant still took special care of them.

Source photo: Brenda / Flickr

In fact, many of their animals, " grandmother " and " mother " will fight to the end to compete for power in the same area. But not for elephants.

Professor Phyllis Lee said: " Elephants are very kind and sympathetic to each other ".

( Male elephants often leave the flock as soon as they reach puberty. Although they can live until they see their baby's children, they don't have a big role in flocks like those men in the family) .

It is not uncommon for the entire herd of elephants to raise a baby elephant, even if they do not have any direct relationship.

What role does the " lady " elephant play in the herd?

The " grandmother " elephant often protects, watches and helps baby elephants when they are trapped.

" Her " elephants are also often the leading children. They lead " big family elephants " to places where food and water are found or imported with other " elephant families ".

Herds of elephants search for water on the steppe.

One of the special things in Professor Lee's study is "Where the elephant herds work and the amount of food they have used".

Professor Lee collected data from over 800 elephants in Kenya's Amboseli National Park. Researchers have been observing Amboseli elephants for over 40 years. These are important documents you will need when studying an animal that can live as long as a human.

Professor Lee said: " We only know half of it and we need another 40 years to collect data ."

Her research work is very interesting because it gives us suggestions about animals around us - similar to: " Why do we have to go through menopause? ", Printed on Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology magazine.

Herds are as diverse and complex as our human family.

Elephants often live in groups, with members of all ages.

What makes the "grandmother" of the elephant become important?

1. The elephant headed the pack led the way to find food and water, to avoid encounters among other elephants.
2. Female elephants reproduce more often when they have the " grandmother " elephant in the herd.
3. Protect and watch over and help eliminate any obstacles that may appear on the way for young elephants.
4. Larger female elephants do not compete with other elephants for food - a common occurrence in other animals. They always give priority to the first elephant.

Professor Lee added: " Elephants are extremely intelligent animals and need more years of research to understand them ."