Here are some more fascinating facts about these gentle giants.

The Elephant's Enormous Ears

• The elephant's ears detect sounds, close and afar.
• Outstretched ears capture sound waves.
• Flapping ears function as a cooling system.
• The gentle breeze created by the continual flapping movement cools the veins and reduces body temperature.

The Elephant's Full-sized Feet

Elephants move silently across the earth on tip toes and well padded feet.

• They amble at a slow, rhythmic pace.
• They may achieve a brisk stride or even a moderate run.
• Elephants can walk from 30 to 50 kilometres a day and achieve a speed of up to 30 kilometres per hour.

The Elephant's Tremendous Toe Nails

• Most Sri Lankan elephants have 18 toe nails in total, some have 20.
• Clean shiny toe nails are a sign of a healthy elephant.
• Mahouts (elephant keepers) pay special attention to their elephants' nails.
• Some elephants keep their toe nails clean by using another elephant as a platform and tend to their nails with their trunks.

The Elephant's Exquisite Eyes

• The outer section of the elephant's eye is comparatively small.
• The elephant's vision is limited to 25 metres.
• Their short-sightedness improves in jungle areas and is well compensated by a highly acute sense of hearing and smell.
  

"Kindness, gentility, tears and sadness, Meditative states, old and wise, Glints of audacity, Smiles of conspiracy, All live deep within elephants eyes"