Why Elephants Have Big Ears: The Secret to Staying Cool

wild elephants, mother and son
Aelice/Shutterstock.com

Written by Kaylee Keech

Published: December 13, 2024

Share on:

Advertisement


Elephants’ massive ears are one of their most distinguishable characteristics. Alongside their long trunks, an elephant’s big ears are the first thing we see. These large ears easily give elephants a commanding presence. While extra-large ears help with hearing, that’s not the reason for their size. Elephants have giant, floppy ears because they regulate body temperature in extreme heat. African elephants are the biggest land mammals in the world. African elephants can weigh up to 15,000 pounds. They have massive bodies to keep cool Keep reading to learn more about elephant ears!

Why do Elephants have such Big Ears?

Bull elephant, loxodonta africana, in the grasslands of Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Front view.

The blood vessels in elephants’ big ears keep them cool.

Elephants have massive ears to help regulate their body temperature. They have huge blood vessels in their ears. The blood vessels are large and quite visible on the backs of the elephant’s ears. The vessels allow for excellent blood circulation. As the blood flows through the ears, it cools down. The cooled blood then circulates through the rest of the elephant’s body. Elephants encourage blood circulation by flapping their ears like giant fans. Flapping their ears also helps cool down the front of their body as the flapping creates a slight breeze. Fapping ears keeps pesky insects at bay. too!

Do Big Ears Give Elephants Better Hearing?

Elephant ears are designed to keep the body cool. The ears’ large size also gives elephants remarkable hearing. Researchers think the large outer ear may help direct sounds to the inner ear, making it easier to hear. Having excellent hearing helps elephants better detect possible threats.

Big Ears are Great for Communication

Elephants are excellent communicators. They use vocalizations, vibrations, and body language to talk to each other. They move their ears to tell fellow animals about their intentions. Elephants have more facial neurons than any other land mammal in the world. The abundance of these neurons gives them remarkable control of their ears. They will flick their ears forward to show they are listening to something, and when elephants flare their ears. They may be excited or trying to fend off predators or challengers.

African and Asian Elephants have Different Ear Sizes

Asian elephants have smaller ears than African elephants because their habitat doesn’t get as hot.

African and Asian elephants have ears that are different sizes and shapes. African elephants have larger ears than Asian elephants because their bodies are larger and their habitat is hotter.


Share this post on:
About the Author

Kaylee Keech

I am a content writer who focuses on pets, wildlife, sustainability, and the environment. I specialize in blogs and love showing my readers how fascinating everything can be! I graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Concentration in Marine Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Science Writing. I volunteered at Raven Ridge Wildlife Center for five years, where I helped care for injured and orphaned Pennsylvania wildlife. I love all animals, wild and domestic. I've had all kinds of pets, including dogs, cats, birds, fish, a lizard, a snake, and a guinea pig. I may be curled up with a good book or my crochet when I'm not writing. I also enjoy exploring new places, especially by hiking or kayaking.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?