It’s also quite common to see these gentle giants swim in groups as form of a social activity and to stay cool from the hot sun. Amongst scientists, Elephants are believed to be swimming from one island to another in order to find a mate or to simply explore their habitat. It is interesting to note that elephants are the only mammal that can float without any floating devices.

Calves will suck water into their trunks and spray each other playfully. Elephants also love to cool themselves by having a mud bath. They will scoop wet soil from the bottom of a lake or the river and spray it on to their body to get respite from heat. Despite being that heavy, elephants can swim. Actually, all species of elephants are great swimmers.

The pachyderm’s massive body, very surprisingly, gives them enough buoyancy to float easily. They swim completely submerged, with their head above the water and their mouths below, and use all four legs to paddle. The biggest advantage that elephants have above all other mammals is their trunk. A very versatile proboscis, they use their trunk like a snorkel.

Six elephants drowned in Thailand’s national park. Raging waters swept a baby elephant, and others drowned trying to save it. Yes, elephants can swim underwater for short distances. They are able to hold their breath for up to two minutes while diving fully underwater.

This includes the use of force, like hitting, kicking or pulling on the elephant, and a sharp metal tool called a bullhook. You'll be laughing your trunk off thanks to these elephant-themed jokes. The sensitive soles allow them to sense the rumblings of other elephants through the ground. This enables them to communicate over great distances. Containing 40,000 muscles, the trunk can lift weights up to 500kg, yet it can easily pick up a grain of rice and smell water from 12 miles away.

If you run, the elephant will be more likely to chase you. The sea faring elephants of the Andamans and Sri Lanka are very well known. Legends like the elephant named Rajan, of the Andamans, was featured in a Hollywood movie too. However, I had not been lucky enough to see one actually swim, until this March, in Kaziranga, when I was a first hand witness to that. He felt so comfortable with Nazroo and didn’t want to be far from him.

Rajan’s body lies deep within the forests of his adopted home where it will lay undisturbed after 66 years of a truly unconventional life. The largest ever recorded elephant swim was over 22 miles long and took place in India. The elephant trunk serves as a snorkel while they’re swimming, this helps them to breathe while they are underwater.

True or False, the elephant’s trunk is part of its leg. Every now and then he would surface and throw out a jet of water. The trunk was like a snorkel, sticking out of the water, taking in the funny elephants air to help him breathe. He was spurting out water through his trunk every now and then like a fountain. I’ve had incredible experiences as a photographer. I think it’s important to share those experiences to encourage and inspire people to get out of their comfort zone and have their own adventures.

It is clear that they are not limited by their size and can use their abilities to adapt to their environment. In addition to being hunted, elephants are also at risk of being caught in fishing nets and other fishing gear. This can lead to them drowning or being injured. Elephants typically swim using somewhat of a breaststroke.