The Sentient World of Animals

Elephants Have Excellent Sense of Smell and Good Memory

Wild elephants form family groups when they travel and socialize together. They need to keep track of each other if family members split up into smaller groups or overtake companions.

A study by psychologists from the University of St. Andrews found that wild elephants living in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park are able to remember the whereabouts of up to 30 family members simultaneously – by scent. They keep track of whether a member of the family is in the group and in what position, front or behind. Female elephants have a particular interest in monitoring family members with whom they are traveling.

It is already hard enough for us to keep track of two or three kids in a busy shopping center. Imagine trying to do it with 30, it would be quite a challenge! In this regard, it seems that elephants have two advantages over humans: an excellent sense of smell and a good memory.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7127276.stm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article3001086.ece

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