Can elephants jump? You may have heard the rumor that elephants are the only animals that cannot jump. This is true?
In cartoons, we often see elephants jumping out of fear when the mouse scares them. Let’s find out the facts about whether such scenes are true or fictional.
Can elephants jump?
No, elephants can’t jump. Elephants have never been observed jumping, and their anatomy makes them unlikely to jump.
Why can’t elephants jump?
To date, there is no scientific research examining the exact reasons why elephants cannot jump. According to John Hutchinson, professor of evolutionary biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary College London, it can be assumed that the causes fall into the following categories:
- Weight
- Weak leg muscles
- Stiff ankles.
- No need
Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Weight
Elephants are big. Asian elephants weigh 8,800 pounds, while African elephants weigh up to 13,000 pounds.
Some doctors estimate that when you step, your knees absorb 3 pounds of pressure for every pound of your weight. If the same is true for elephants, this means that a large African elephant could put 39,000 pounds of pressure on the knee joint if it jumped!
In addition to the joint damage that a jump can cause, it takes a lot of strength to move 10,000 or more pounds of body weight. Next, we’ll see if the elephants’ leg muscles are enough for what they need.
Weak leg muscles
When you jump, you engage many muscle groups – the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calf muscles.
What about elephants? Do their muscles have what it takes? In an interview with Living Science, Hutchinson, quoted earlier, said: “Jumping animals need really flexible ankles and really strong Achilles tendons and calf muscles, and elephants have very weak calf muscles and not very flexible ankles.”
Since elephants do not use their muscles to jump, these muscles do not develop strength that can be used in this way. But elephants are strong – they can knock down trees and walk up to 50 miles a day. They can run at 25 miles per hour for short distances. It’s faster than most athletes!
You will remember that the ankles were also mentioned. We will check them further.
Inflexible ankles
When you jump, your body flexes at your hips, knees, and ankles. When you land, flexing these joints helps absorb the impact.
But the bodies of elephants are not arranged that way. Of course, they flex at the hip, shoulder, and knee so that the animal can move. But the ankles are designed to support the weight of an elephant. Compared to many mammals, the ankles do not flex very much.
Besides, Smithsonian magazine said: “If you look at the skeleton of an elephant, you will see that he is on tiptoe … all the bones are directed straight down.” This structure supports the weight of the animal while standing or walking, but cannot provide the “spring upward from the legs” necessary for jumping.
No need
Another reason elephants don’t jump is because they don’t need to jump at all. The main reason smaller animals jump is to run away from danger. They use flexibility and speed, such as jumping, to get away from predators. But the enormous size of the elephants, as well as their tusks and trunks, protect them from hungry predators.
What would happen if an elephant jumped?
If the elephant jumps, the pressure on the knees and ankles can cause injuries. Elephants live long lives, often 50 to 70 years old. Jumping stress injuries increase arthritis pain and reduce mobility. This can shorten the life of an elephant, making it difficult to migrate in search of food and water. If the animal stumbles and falls to the ground while jumping, injuries can become serious.
Thus, instead of risking injuries that could shorten their lives, elephants use walking and sometimes running to get around.
Next: The 8 Best Animals That Can See in Infrared Light
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are elephants the only animals that can’t jump?
No, elephants aren’t the only animals that can’t jump. Similar large land mammals such as hippos and rhinos cannot jump for the same reasons. Interestingly, however, rhinos and hippos can lift all four legs off the ground while running. This is another sporting feat that elephants can’t handle. Elephants always have at least one leg on the ground.
The sloth is another mammal that cannot jump. His muscles and metabolism are designed for slow, conscious movements.
Can elephants jump over a fence?
No, elephants cannot jump over the fence. But they can get through most fences if they are not electrified. This led to close encounters between humans and wild elephants.
Do elephants jump when they are scared?
Elephants can be intimidated by sudden movements, but they do not jump when frightened, as humans and other animals sometimes do. However, they react to danger, although there is little threat to an adult elephant. Elephants can attack or run towards a perceived threat to intimidate or scare away. A herd of elephants will gather their young in the center of the group, using the bodies of the adults as a shield. If provoked, elephants can step on the attacker or attack him with fangs and trunk.