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I had a lively arguement with a friend today about the ability of elephants to swim. I don't just mean splashing around in water, but being able to travel a long distance in deep water. My friend says they can't, I'm sure they can, although apparently they will only do it for survival. (PS, not sure if there is a difference between Asian and African elephants).
-------------------- I like free speech. It lets me know who the idiots are. Posts: 407 | From: Ireland | Registered: Jul 2005
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These strong animals can swim long distances without a problem. Experts suppose that elephants once swam from Southern India to Sri Lanka where they settled.
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When no one's around, they sometimes do the backstroke.
-------------------- "No hard feelin's and HOPpy New Year!"--Walt Kelly Hear what you're missing: ARTC podcasts! http://artcpodcast.org/ Posts: 7581 | From: Gainesville, Georgia | Registered: Jun 2000
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I love how they use their trunk like a snorkel. Cool stuff.
-------------------- "Tis too much proved that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar o'er the devil himself." - Hamlet Posts: 344 | From: Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Troberg: I've seen a documentary where they swimmed between islands, several kilometers apart. Worked nicely.
Yes I have seen that too. I was surprised how well and quite effortlessly they swam. Do you remeber what was the distance between these islands? I have a feeling something like 20 km ???? They also had their babies with them.
Posts: 214 | From: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: Oct 2005
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Elephants used to be migratory and would swim from West Africa to Florida to lay their eggs. However, as Florida beaches became overdeveloped, they stopped doing that. They can't stand the scent of Coppertone.
-------------------- "No hard feelin's and HOPpy New Year!"--Walt Kelly Hear what you're missing: ARTC podcasts! http://artcpodcast.org/ Posts: 7581 | From: Gainesville, Georgia | Registered: Jun 2000
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quote:Do you remeber what was the distance between these islands?
Nope. I do, however, remember being irrationally impressed by the guts of the divers filming it from below, despite knowing that the elephants will not sink quickly no matter what.
quote:Elephants used to be migratory and would swim from West Africa to Florida to lay their eggs. However, as Florida beaches became overdeveloped, they stopped doing that. They can't stand the scent of Coppertone.
No, that was the mammoths. Why did you think there are no mammoths in north america today?
-------------------- /Troberg Posts: 4360 | From: Borlänge, Sweden | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Troberg: Why did you think there are no mammoths in north america today?
Um...they hate America?
-------------------- "No hard feelin's and HOPpy New Year!"--Walt Kelly Hear what you're missing: ARTC podcasts! http://artcpodcast.org/ Posts: 7581 | From: Gainesville, Georgia | Registered: Jun 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Lonely Mountain: I love how they use their trunk like a snorkel. Cool stuff.
I guess I always thought that's what an elephant's trunk was for.
I always figured that elephants were excellent swimmers because of their trunks without ever having any proof. I'm glad to know I was right for once.
Posts: 23 | From: Fargo, ND | Registered: Jul 2006
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