Even a small hill presents a significant challenge for an elephant, which is why they tend to avoid steep slopes, a new study reveals.
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(Photo: LiveScience) |
Researchers utilized a global positioning system to track the movements of elephants in northern Kenya, an area that is home to approximately 5,400 thick-skinned animals (such as elephants and rhinoceroses). They discovered that the density of elephants significantly decreased in regions with steep slopes.
Could it be that these massive creatures cannot find water in these areas or wish to avoid injury? However, the researchers calculated that the energy required to climb slopes is the determining factor. For every 91 meters they climb, elephants would need to spend half an hour grazing just to replenish the energy they expended.
“Clearly, climbing hills is not an easy task and must be carefully considered,” the scientists concluded.
The study was conducted by Fritz Vollrath from the University of Oxford, along with Jake Wall and Iain Douglas-Hamilton from the organization Save the Elephants. The scientists believe that these enormous animals perceive their environment in a very different way compared to smaller creatures.
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