A Conversation for The Quite Interesting Society
Elephants
Godless-Years Started conversation Sep 9, 2008
Hello there. This is my first question. I found something interesting so I guess I'll set a challenge.
We all know that, like humans, elephants have an extraordinary capacity for memory, but what other unique ability do humans and elephants share?
Elephants
Godless-Years Posted Sep 9, 2008
They may well have but I'm not sure that having two sets of teeth is unique to elephants and humans 
Elephants
Br Robyn Hoode - Navo - complete with theme tune Posted Sep 9, 2008
Cartography?
Well, they seem to be good at knowing and passing on information pertaining to their range and environmental features...
Second guess is theem having an opposeable 'thumb' (on the end of their trunk)
Elephants
Icy North Posted Sep 9, 2008
Fear of mice. (I think there are alternative words for the same thing)
Muriel, despite its similarity to the Latin for mouse doesn't derive from there, it's a Scottish traditional name, apparently from Old Celtic words meaning 'sea' + 'bright'.
Elephants
Icy North Posted Sep 9, 2008
And...
They both eat buns,
Africans are taller than Indians,
They both live into their seventies.
Elephants
swl Posted Sep 9, 2008
They're the only animals other than humans that get embarassed when they fart?
Elephants
Br Robyn Hoode - Navo - complete with theme tune Posted Sep 9, 2008
Are we talking physical, emotional or social skills?
Elephants
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Sep 9, 2008
They can draw a self portraits?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He7Ge7Sogrk
Elephants
Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. Posted Sep 9, 2008
double back-flip, tuck with a twist? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK27aknWVI4
Elephants
Godless-Years Posted Sep 9, 2008
Clive is on the right tracks there with that
The question is quite vague in retrospect, it is more to do with perceptive traits.
Also, +1 QI for Icy as that was quite interestin 
Elephants
minichessemouse - Ahoy there me barnacle! Posted Sep 9, 2008
is it that they can recognise themselves. ie, when you put distinctive markings on them, they touch the markings on themselves rather than trying to attack a mirrored image of themselves. i know theres a special word for this but cant remember it.
Elephants
Mu Beta Posted Sep 9, 2008
I'm sure I've seen demonstrations of chimps that can recognise themselves, so I don't think it's that.
Elephants swim recreationally, don't they? Not for cleanliness, just because they like swimming. Can't imagine many other animals do that.
Except dogs, but they're domesticated, so they don't count.
B
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Elephants
- 1: Godless-Years (Sep 9, 2008)
- 2: Mu Beta (Sep 9, 2008)
- 3: Godless-Years (Sep 9, 2008)
- 4: Br Robyn Hoode - Navo - complete with theme tune (Sep 9, 2008)
- 5: Mu Beta (Sep 9, 2008)
- 6: Icy North (Sep 9, 2008)
- 7: Br Robyn Hoode - Navo - complete with theme tune (Sep 9, 2008)
- 8: Godless-Years (Sep 9, 2008)
- 9: Icy North (Sep 9, 2008)
- 10: Br Robyn Hoode - Navo - complete with theme tune (Sep 9, 2008)
- 11: Icy North (Sep 9, 2008)
- 12: swl (Sep 9, 2008)
- 13: Br Robyn Hoode - Navo - complete with theme tune (Sep 9, 2008)
- 14: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Sep 9, 2008)
- 15: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Sep 9, 2008)
- 16: A Super Furry Animal (Sep 9, 2008)
- 17: Godless-Years (Sep 9, 2008)
- 18: Clive the flying ostrich: Amateur Polymath | Chief Heretic. (Sep 9, 2008)
- 19: minichessemouse - Ahoy there me barnacle! (Sep 9, 2008)
- 20: Mu Beta (Sep 9, 2008)
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