EleFact Friday: Elephants in Motion

We’re checking in for another EleFACT Friday. You may have noticed in the videos we share, there is one elephant in particular who has a need for speed, and that’s Bambi. Today we’ll be breaking down elephants and their movement, whether it be fast or slow.

Most four-legged vertebrates change their entire stride while running or moving at high speeds. When this happens, all four feet leave the ground at once. Elephants are special in that they take steps that are faster and longer, but all four feet never actually leave the ground at the same time. This helps in spreading out their weight as much as possible. However, because of this, it could be argued that although elephants can move at speeds up to 15 miles (24 km) per hour, they’re never actually running – just walking very quickly.

Despite their large size, elephants actually have quite a light and graceful step. Studies from The Journal of Experimental Biology report that a human runner exerts forces of 3 times their body weight while running. Elephants exert 1.4 times their body weight at most and don’t shift their center of gravity much. According to the study, when an elephant is charging at 11 miles (18 km) per hour, their center of mass may only move up and down by about a centimeter.

Photo of Bambi, our resident runner…or speed walker

Comments(8)

Cintia says
June 11, 2021 at 3:47 pm
Bambilicious!!!
Always spilling grace speeding in the Sanctuary runway…
Julie says
June 11, 2021 at 4:27 pm
These ele-facts make me pay attention to things I usually wouldn’t. Now I’m watching my dogs and granddaughter closer when they run….hehe! Thanks for the extra effort it takes to include us in this journey! It’s much appreciated!
bo says
June 11, 2021 at 4:52 pm
… and then again we learn something very interesting about elephants!
but of course : everything about elephants is interesting 🙂
can’t get enough about elephants.
always so great to learn more and more, thank you thank you!
Lori Hoover says
June 11, 2021 at 5:15 pm
HA! Bambi really does look on the move in that photo. She seems as if she could walk right out of the picture, quickly, of course.
Ellen Bollinger says
June 11, 2021 at 5:26 pm
Bambi is stealthy
SHEILA says
June 11, 2021 at 7:20 pm
OH MY HERE IS SUCH A SWEET PICTURE OF THAT BIG❤️🐘❤️ PUPPYGIRL BAMBI. SHES LOOKING SO SWEET KINDA HIDING IN THE BUSH! YES I THINK WE ALL LOVE SEE BAMBI.🐘 RUNNING OR WALKING VERY FAST! BAMBI CAN MOVE QUICKLY! SO NICE TO SEE SHE HAS NO FOOT LEG ISSUES!!! I WONDER HOW MAIA 🐘WOULD FARE IN A BIG FAST WALK AGAINST BAMBI❓AH THESE LADIES R SO SWEET MAYBE ONE DAY WE WILL SEE THIS!!😀
Tammy says
June 12, 2021 at 9:38 am
Wow, very interesting elefacts! Its amazing how elephants are so gentle with their young the way they gingerly move them with their huge feet and all the weight is mind boggling then we watch as they step on a watermelon and smash it unbelievable how these gentle massive giants are so graceful yet powerful! Love them all so much and now I’ve got my grandbabies involved in their stories from being abused in captivity to their journey of love and freedom at the sanctuary! Thank you everyone for sharing all these great stories and incredible facts it’s really fun to learn new things about our girls and elephants in general😘🐘💞
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
June 12, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Another wonderful, educational elle post. This picture of Bambi is so beautiful. I cannot forget how haggard, frightened, and dehydrated, she looked at the zoo, and what shape her skin was in. The photo of her hiding in the darkened shed as compared to now is unbelievable . Just look at this girl go!! SANTUARY HEALS. Love you GSE.

How To Help

Adopt an Elephant

Donate Today

GSE Merchandise

Elephant Wishlists

Blog