3.5K views · 382 reactions | Why do elephants flap their ears? The backs of African elephants' ears have large blood vessels that are very close to the surface of their skin. By flapping their ears elephants cool this blood, which is then transported around to the rest of their body. This adaptation helps elephants stay cool in hot African landscapes! | Reid Park Zoo | Facebook

So many wonderful, flapping ears! Unlike humans, elephants cannot depend on sweat to cool them down, as their only sweat glands are between their toes. 👀 On hot days like today, elephants use their ears as a fan, to regulate their body temperature. By flapping their ears, they can cool their bodies by up to 5° Celcius (that is 9° Fahrenheit)! - - Video © Reteti Elephant Sanctuary #reteti #retetielephants #elephants #northernkenya #conservation #communityconservation | Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

When an elephant’s ears are flapping, just like Jan Jao's here, the elephant is cooling itself down. They have big, fat veins that run beneath the thin skin of their ears and as they flap their ears against the wind, they cool the blood and therefore their overall body temperature. It is also a good sign that the elephant is feeling relaxed. Observe Asian elephants expressing their natural behavior at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. To visit, please send us a message, call or book through our website

An Oxford-led conservation project in West Africa is helping to protect elephants in the region. It's work creates balance between local communities and the elephant population. Learn more ⬇️ https://wild.org/mali-elephants/ 🎬 | Oxford Sparks #WorldEnvironmentDay #TruePlanet | University of Oxford