Elephants are the world’s largest land mammals – and, aside from the great apes ) and the most intelligent.

African elephants ears are bigger and shaped like Africa, while Asian elephants have smaller ears that look like India.

Just as humans are right- or left-handed, elephants are known to use one tusk more than the other.

African elephants have a lifespan of up to 70 years in the wild, but tend not to live quite so long in captivity. Asian elephants have a shorter lifespan of around 48 years. Their lives depend on their teeth (when they lose their last set, they die of starvation)

Newborn elephants have little control over their trunks and must learn how to use them, this one is struggling a bit

They are not always graceful

And Elephants appear to understand what other elephants are feeling. Experiments show that when one elephant is unhappy, others share their feelings, something known as ‘emotional contagion’. In these situations, they will go over to their ‘friend’ and comfort them, often by putting their trunk into the other’s mouth, something that elephants find reassuring. Elephants will also assist other injured elephants

They have a great sense of humor and can be sneaky

They do play for fun and need a lot of space to run

They can form bonds with humans and even mourn the loss of a human companion

The best animals in the world, ladies and gentleman: THE ELEPHANT