Elephant evolution is one of the most interesting stories in the history of Earth. For millions of years now elephants increased their size.
From pig-size beasts, they evolve to the majestic creatures of the present. But their story can end decades from now.
Elephant evolution is unfortunately in danger because of poaching. Hence the elephant population is shrinking by every single year.
No one in the world needs an elephant tusk but an elephant.
Thomas Schmidt
Here we are telling their evolution story because it is important for us to know how they will evolve and if they can adapt to climate change impacts.
From their evolution tree, scientists have discovered that elephants can adapt to climate change by becoming bigger in size and brain.
By becoming the giant beasts we all know now, they protect themselves from predators.
In this episode, we are learning that the only elephants that adapted to the current climate are Asian elephants and African elephants.
However, poaching for ivory is reducing their population. That is why elephants are evolving to lose their tusks.
Already Asian females elephants do not have tusks. Among males, some have tusks and some don’t. On the other hand, the African elephant population has reduced significantly.
Hence if we do not protect elephants, we might no have them in just a few decades.
The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?
David Attenborough
What do you think about the elephant story? How can you help save elephants? Share your story below.
Important: share only your own story directly in the comments. Links to other posts, videos, websites, etc. will be removed.
Thank you for sharing your comments.
With love…for science,
Konstantia
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Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Thanks, Serita.