Quick Take
- Elephant trunks do something beyond grabbing and spraying water, and the way elephants use them to bond mirrors a very human gesture. See how trunk cuddles work →
- Baby elephants have a self-soothing habit that looks almost identical to something human newborns do, and it also serves a second, more surprising purpose. Discover the trunk-sucking habit →
- Trunk hugs aren't the only way elephants stay connected. There's a second physical behavior calves use that's easy to miss in the wild. Explore other bonding behaviors →
- A study of nearly 500 elephant calls uncovered something about how elephants address each other that changes how we think about animal communication. Learn about elephant vocal labels →
Elephants are super sweet creatures, with herds often led by an older female matriarch, and many female elephants help raise the calves together. These close-knit animals are social and also like to cuddle, just like humans do. In a video shared to YouTube by @babyelephantdaily, an elephant calf cuddles with its older sister in a special way: by using its trunk!
In the short clip, the baby elephant walks under its sister’s head, and the bigger elephant uses its trunk to playfully hug and touch the baby, while the little one continues on, seemingly unbothered. It’s so cute! “Elephants are so pure and precious,” one person commented on the adorable clip. Another wrote, “Elder sibling is so patient with sweet baby ❤”
Why Do Elephants Use Their Trunks to Cuddle?
Elephants use their trunks like hands, wrapping them around each other in a romantic way (like holding hands), in a comforting way (such as when an elephant is sick or grieving), or to snuggle (as adult elephants do with their young), according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. During special moments, such as bonding ceremonies or after giving birth, elephants might put their trunks in each other’s mouths.
Baby elephants and adult elephants will use their trunks to show affection and cuddle.
©Mogens Trolle/Shutterstock.com
In addition to cuddling, baby elephants will suck on their trunks, much like human babies suck on their thumbs, as a self-soothing behavior. This also helps them develop strength and become familiar with their trunks, as they don’t know how to control this appendage when they’re first born.
How Else Do Elephants Show Affection?
Elephants love spending time together. If they aren’t cuddling with their trunks, they use their tails to stay connected. Elephant calves and adults will grab each other’s tails, similar to how humans hold hands, to help each other or show love. Calves may also grab onto an adult’s tail if they are scared or want to keep up with the herd.
It’s no surprise that elephants act this way, as they are very intelligent and social creatures who understand the importance of sticking together. They may wave their trunks in greeting and communicate by making loud trumpet noises. In fact, one study analyzed about 470 recorded elephant calls and found that elephants use individual vocal labels with each other — so they have a lot to say! This just shows again how sweet and social elephants are with one another.
