Humans are not the only ones who can use instruments. Chimpanzees use sticks to play instruments. Dolphins, crows and elephants also use tools.
In a study by Cell Press published in Current Biology, elephants are shown to be able to use a hose as a flexible showerhead. The researchers discovered that an elephant can turn the water off, possibly as a “prank.”
Elephants can be amazing when using hoses. Michael Brecht, a senior author at the Humboldt University of Berlin. Elephant Mary, the queen showerer is elephant Mary.
Researchers made an important discovery after Lena Kaufmann from the Humboldt University of Berlin observed and recorded a showering Asian elephant, named Mary, at the Berlin Zoo. She was so impressed by her observations that she immediately shared them with colleagues who became captivated. Lea Urban was the first author of the study. She then conducted a thorough analysis of Mary’s skillful use of the hose.
Elephants are incredibly adept at using hoses, according to Lea’s research. Brecht says.
Mary showed off impressive control of the hose using her hands. She would typically grasp the hose at its tip and transform it into an accurate showerhead.
She used a lasso to wash her back by swinging the hose from higher up. Mary chose her trunk over a heavier, larger hose. This shows her ability to choose the right tool.
Researchers claim their findings provide an example of goal-oriented tools usage. What surprised them most was Anchali’s reaction during Mary’s shower. The researchers reported that the elephants were aggressive around the time of the shower. Anchali started pulling the hose away from Mary and towards her, twisting it, bending it, to stop the water flow.
Anchali may not have been deliberately sabotaging another elephant, but it did appear that he was showing off a second-order tool usage.
The surprise for me was Anchali’s “kink and clamp” behavior. Brecht says. Nobody had ever thought she would be so clever to perform such a feat.
The researchers also engaged in extensive discussion in the laboratory regarding the implications Anchali’s actions. She soon employed another inventive method to interrupt Mary’s bath. Anchali did what researchers call a trunk-stand, which effectively stopped the flow of water by placing her trunk onto the hose, and then dropping her weight on it.
Brecht points out that elephants have been trained to not step on hoses in order to keep their keeper from reprimanding them. He states they do not often step on hoses. Researchers believe that Anchali may have developed complex techniques to block the water flow during Mary’s baths.
When Anchali showed a second behaviour that interfered with the water flowing to Mary, it made me pretty sure that she was trying to sabotage Mary. Brecht said.
The unique dexterity and manipulation abilities of elephant trunks are evident in these observations. Researchers are eager to see what elephants’ natural behaviors can be revealed by these zoo-based behavior.
Elephants in the Wild: Do they play tricks? Brecht asked. When I first saw Anchali’s kinks and clamps, I burst into laughter. “Does Anchali think that this is funny or just mean?”
Reference to Journal:
- Lea Urban, Rolf Becker, Andreas Ochs, Florian Sicks, Michael Brecht, Lena Valentina Kaufmann. Asian elephants shower and use water-hose tools. Current Biology, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.017
