Elephant

A Closer Look First lets look at the elephants body, starting at the bottom--the feet. The elephants foot is a spongy...

A Closer Look First lets look at the elephants body, starting at the bottom--the feet. The elephants foot is a spongy pad with four or five toes and toenails. The pad acts like a cushion with each step, absorbing the impact and taking some strain off the leg. Like the pillars of a palace, an elephants legs are positioned directly under it. In contrast, the legs of most other mammals, such as dogs or horses, are in an angular position. In addition elephant bones are semi-solid, lacking the normal marrow cavity in favor of a perforated bone tissue that provides optimum strength and still allows blood cell production. Both its legs and skeleton are suited to handle its massive weight, while not sacrificing too much in mobility. An elephant can walk forward and backward, amble at 25 mph, negotiate steep terrain, swim in deep water, and stand on its hind legs with the help of a tree. Notoriously thick-skinned (1 inch in some places), elephants are grey and rough to the touch, almost resembling stone. However, elephant skin is very sensitive, and they take pains to keep themselves cool and free of pests by wallowing in mud and flinging dust on themselves with their trunks. Now, I know this doesnt sound like the cleanest way to go, but the mud is actually very affective at blocking UV radiation and heat, which elephants find much less comfortable than dirt. Ticks are especially bothersome, and elephants often have favorite scratching trees for noninvasive operations. Their skinny tails help keep off flies in the hindquarters, but when there is a serious itch, a sit and a rub on the nearest termite mound will do.