Elephants can’t jump. But did you know elephants also can’t jump or gallop? They are the rare animal that always has at least two feet on the ground. Not a bad idea when you weigh 6,000 pounds (the average weight of a female Asian elephant). Read on for more!

Elephants can’t speak, but they can “talk”

In the cartoon, Dumbo displays advanced language skills. In the live-action film, he communicates largely through doe-eyed expressions. Elephants prefer a more low key – more accurately, a low frequency – approach.

Indu, Reba and Sheena rumble, groan and trumpet, but most of their communication is done through vocalizations that are far too low frequency for us to hear. Those sound waves travel through the ground and are picked up by elephants’ very sensitive feet. Such seismic spiels can be sensed miles away.

Elephants want (and need) to have fun

As a circus performer, Dumbo has one job – to perform. And while he may be a one-trick elephant, it’s a darn good trick.

At the Phoenix Zoo, the keepers are busy performing for the elephants. It’s called “behavior enrichment” and keepers employ various tactics to keep the elephants active while bringing out behaviors seen in the wild.

Each morning a small tractor churns up the enclosure’s terrain, just to give the elephants a different texture. It also rearranges the logs and tree trunks for a new look. Each day keepers enhance living spaces. One day they’ll scatter herbs and spices, a scented treat. The next they may add a new toy (tires are a favorite), or smear grape jam on various surfaces.

It’s all about keeping it fresh and unpredictable, just as in nature but without the predators.

Older elephants require special care

Dumbo may not age, but time (and gravity) catches up with elephants, who typically live into their mid-60s. Each morning, the Phoenix Zoo’s three elephants take turns soaking their feet in warm water and Epsom salts before getting a nice warm shower.

They also get various age-related supplements and pain relievers, either via Gatorade (keepers pour a cup at a time into their trunks) or buried inside a soggy mash of elephant treats.

Elephants are intelligent

Dumbo sets a pretty high bar when it comes to following orders, but Indu, Reba and Sheena could be Mensa members of the animal kingdom. Each knows as many as 30 commands, which comes in handy when they are bathed.

For example, they come to the bars and stay still while hosed, then turn around to have their other sides done. The step willingly to the Epsom salts bath, and even present their front and rear feet for daily inspection.

All keepers need to do is give a vocal command or stand in a certain space for their charges to respond.

But there’s a reason for those big floppy ears

Even in the heat of a spotlight, Dumbo never broke a sweat. Nor do elephants. To cool off, they flap those floppy ears, fanning themselves in the heat.