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Elephants

Episode 6 of 12

Chris Packham explores what makes animal groups successful. How hairs keep elephants cool, how feet sensors guide them towards rain and how their mouths store water.

Chris Packham explores the anatomy and physiology of the largest land animal on the planet - the elephant. Their size seems ill-suited to surviving the most arid regions of Africa, but their inner workings allow them to defy the extreme heat of the desert and find food and water in seemingly barren landscapes, while their extraordinary memory enables them to repel predators.

Chris reveals how hairs on the skin help keep elephants cool, how sensors in their feet may be able to guide them towards rain and how a unique pouch in their mouths stores water. Recent research has even discovered that elephants can distinguish between the voices of human friend and foe.

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 10 Feb 2024 15:35

Clip

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • The xx

    Angels

  • Daughter

    Lifeforms

  • George Fenton

    Minus 40

  • Elbow

    Mirrorball

  • Nitin Sawhney

    Wild Horses Part 2

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Chris Packham
Executive Producer Jonny Keeling
Director Francis Welch
Producer Francis Welch
Series Producer Aaron Paul

Broadcasts

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