EleFact Friday: Elephant Skin

Happy EleFACT Friday — today is all about elephants and their skin. The skin of an elephant can weigh as much as 2000 pounds (over 900 kg) and varies in thickness across their bodies. On vulnerable spots, like on the trunk, legs, and back, the skin can be 2.5 to 3.8 cm thick, but behind the ears, by the eyes, on the abdomen, chest and shoulders, it’s considerably thinner. The thickness of the skin aids in keeping the inner pressure of their bodies comforted and secured. For example, if you buy one apple at the store, you may just use a plastic produce bag to carry it. But if you buy 10 pounds of apples, you’ll probably need something thicker to withstand the weight.

The skin lacks moisture, making it loose, especially around the joints, to ensure the necessary flexibility for motion. Wrinkles on the skin also help retain moisture. We get a lot of questions about the pink or lighter areas of skin on our Asian elephants, which is from a lack of pigmentation. This difference in color can be influenced by age, habitat, genetics, or nutrition. Elephants from different parts of Asia also have different coloration on their bodies, but, because they dust themselves so often, elephants tend to be the same color as their enclosures.

Photo of Lady, showing off an example of differently pigmented skin

Comments(12)

Patricia says
June 4, 2021 at 3:56 pm
They are each miracles! Thank you for this!
SHEILA says
June 4, 2021 at 4:05 pm
WOW, LOOK AT THIS SWEET LIL LADY❤️🐘❤️ SHE LOOKS LIKE SHES HAPPY!! I THOUGHT IT WAS LADY WHO HATED CAMERAS AND TURNS HER BACK ON THEM?? SMART SWEET LADY. SO CUTE WITH HER PINK FRECKLE EARS😍
THANKS FOR INFO👍
- REPLY
  Sara says
  June 4, 2021 at 4:44 pm
  She definitely prefers not to have phones or cameras around when we are working with her. Other times, she is more willing to let us take photos.
Ellen Bollinger says
June 4, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Very Cool!
Beji says
June 4, 2021 at 5:12 pm
Lady looks like she’s throwing some shade…that side-eye. How cute!
Julie says
June 4, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Thank you so much. Interesting thing I never thought of. Lady looks so serene and beautiful!
Terry Feleppa says
June 4, 2021 at 5:55 pm
So what I have learned about reddish/orange skin is not true! I was told it is from the sun and sunburn.
- REPLY
  Sara says
  June 4, 2021 at 5:59 pm
  Elephants often dust themselves to protect their bodies from the sun. That can cause an orange tint to the skin.
Katie Howard says
June 4, 2021 at 5:56 pm
My beautiful sweet Lady!
Audrey says
June 4, 2021 at 6:58 pm
Elephants are amazing, individual beings. I love them ❤️ 🐘
Mollie says
August 18, 2021 at 2:12 pm
What a wonderful forum for us to learn more, thank you!
- REPLY
  Sara says
  August 18, 2021 at 2:57 pm
  Thank you for reading. We love being able to share more about these amazing animals.

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