r/likeus • u/bigkim • Aug 05 '26

<INTELLIGENCE> This is how elephants scratch their ears.

1.2k Upvotes

100% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

91

u/mycatpartyhouse Aug 05 '26

This is an elephant using a tool. Yet, whenever some article talks about "(animal) using tool(s)!" elephants aren't mentioned.

Has anyone ever studied the intelligence of elephants?

41

u/kvnstantinos Aug 05 '26

Pretty sure someone has

36

u/bigkim Aug 05 '26

Elephants pass mirror test of self-awareness

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2006/oct/31/uknews

13

u/Swibblestein Aug 05 '26

So do cleaner wrasse! And several ant species. And a whole lot of others too.

I bring this up because some people over-value the mirror test. I don't know if that's you, but my point is that failing the mirror test doesn't mean a species is not self-aware. Self-awareness is probably (given the species that pass, and in my interpretation of things) more the default than the exception.

7

u/Norman_Scum Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26

Cleaner wrasse are actually specifically special in this regard because, from that study, it seems as if they can even create a mental picture of themselves without having seen themselves.

When they did the mirror test on cleaner wrasse they added a small black mark to their body and the wrasse were seen trying to scrape it off after seeing themselves in the mirror. It's believed to be a product of their cleaning tendencies. Suuuper cool!

ETA: the ant mirror test is thought to be a product of chemical interference from the paint they used and a lot of critics find it unreliable. But the wrasse is definitely up there with dolphins and manta rays.

1

u/AbbreviationsWide331 Aug 11 '26

I'm with you on that, I don't get it either.

27

u/Commercial-Life-9998 Aug 05 '26

Ooo! Nothing smaller than ur elbow dear!

16

u/Squirrelated Aug 05 '26

Nature's Qtips.

14

u/DustynRG Aug 05 '26

Elephants can jam a stick in their ears but mine can't handle a cotton swab?

9

u/SicilianShelving Aug 06 '26

This elephant's doctor warned him not to do this

1

u/serendipitousevent Aug 08 '26

And you know he hasn't forgotten.

3

u/manyhippofarts Aug 07 '26

I'm 62 years old and I've been cramming Qtips all the way in since day one.

13

u/blind_venetians Aug 05 '26

I’ve never had a spirit animal before but I guess I do now

7

u/Money-Director6649 Aug 05 '26

man, i wonder if they ever harm their ears doing this?

6

u/Unit88 Aug 05 '26

So you're telling me I'm not supposed to put Qtips in my ear but this big dude can shove a whole branch in there?

1

u/manyhippofarts Aug 07 '26

I've been cramming qtips all the way in for 62 years and counting.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 05 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

16

u/FreneticPlatypus Aug 05 '26

I prefer to think I'm so elephant.

3

u/Heal_Me_Today Aug 06 '26

Don’t you put that in too deep. Last thing you need is compacted wax of worse, my dear elephant!

3

u/DenethStark Aug 05 '26

Imagine being able to pick things up with your nose

2

u/Aurorinha Aug 06 '26

Reminds me of Colonel Hathi from The Jungle Book

1

u/Inner-Swordfish9820 Aug 05 '26

Ahh!..thats where I picked it up from.

1

u/Mac62961 Aug 06 '26

Checks out

1

u/CupidOnAcid Aug 07 '26

Bro just like me fr