Elephants are generally known for taking care of themselves. To cool off and protect their skin, they often roll in mud and dust and use their trunks to spray water on their bodies to clean off dirt.
However, at the Berlin Zoo, an elephant has learned to grab a water pipe with its trunk and use it to shower itself. Scientists are viewing this behavior as an example of tool use among animals.
Scientists explain that while a water pipe may seem like a simple object, it is quite complex for animals. The elephant might have learned to use the water pipe because it resembles its trunk.
The zoo staff are benefiting greatly from this elephant’s unique skill. Instead of bathing the elephant themselves every morning, they simply hand it the water pipe.
