Elephants are the largest land mammals on the planet, and have decidedly massive bodies, large ears, and long trunks. They use their trunks to pick up objects, sound warnings, greet other elephants, or suck up water for drinking or bathing, among other things. Both male and female African elephants have tusks and each individual can have a left or right tusk and the tusk they use most often is usually smaller due to wear and tear. Elephant tusks serve multiple purposes. These elongated teeth can be used to protect the elephant’s trunk, lift and move objects, pick up food, and debark trees. They can also be used for defense. In times of drought, elephants even dig holes with their tusks to find groundwater.
