Elephants are amazing animals that receive special love from people of all ages. The children shower love for these cute and gentle giants. Here is a story to teach kids about the importance of elephants as an animal species. We also talk about an elephant’s body parts and the utility they serve. We take kids through a fascinating journey, with Gajraj, a magnificent gentle giant elephant native to one of the vast and vibrant jungles of India.
A Trunk Full of Surprises
The most noticeable part of Gajraj was his long, flexible trunk. “My trunk is not just a nose,” Gajraj would say, “It’s a multi-purpose tool!” He used it to breathe, pick up objects, trumpet loudly to communicate, and even to drink water. Gajraj could suck up to 8 litres of water in his trunk and then spray it into his mouth. Imagine that! The trunk, a fusion of their nose and upper lip, is a unique body part of elephants and is essential for their survival.
Also Read: World Elephant Day
Big Ears for Big Hearing
Gajraj’s ears were like huge fans flapping on either side of his head. “Why are your ears so big?” asked a curious little monkey. Gajraj chuckled, “My big ears help keep me cool in the hot sun.” The large elephant ears allow them to release excess heat. They also help in hearing low-frequency sounds and communicate with other elephants over long distances.
Ivory Towers
Above Gajraj’s trunk were two long, curved tusks. “These are my tusks, made of ivory,” Gajraj explained. Tusks of an elephant could be visualised as large curved teeth that can be used for digging into the ground, lifting heavy objects such as logos of wood, or even as weapons of defence against a predator. However, Gajraj was sad to remind people that elephants are frequently harmed for the sake of extracting extremely valuable ivory from their tusks.
A Mighty Body
Gajraj’s body, like most grown-up elephants, was gigantic. “I weigh as much as a small truck you see on the roads!” he roared. Elephants are the largest species found on land. Their body size is their main identification. Their gigantic body helps them in many ways. It helps in maintaining a stable body temperature, dominating their habitat, and intimidating and warding off threats from other animals and predators.
Also Read: Exploring Animal Adaptations
Four Pillars of Strength
Gajraj’s legs were like strong pillars, supporting his massive body. “My legs help me to walk long distances,” he said. The legs of an elephant are uniquely structured to support their weight and enable them to walk silently despite their size.
A Tail to Tell
At the back, Gajraj had a small tail with a tuft of hair at the end. “My tail may seem small, but it is important for swatting away pesky flies,” he explained. The tail also helps elephants to communicate their mood and keep insects at bay.
Skin that Tells a Story
Gajraj’s skin was thick and wrinkled. “Each wrinkle tells a story of the adventures I’ve had,” he said. Elephant skin is highly sensitive and needs care. They often use mud or dust as a natural sunscreen to protect their skin from the polluted environment, dust, and even from the sun’s harsh rays.
Exploring Elephant Organs and Systems
Elephants have a number of other fascinating organs and systems that help them survive in their environment.
“Did you know I have a large and powerful heart that can weigh up to 46 pounds and pump over 10 gallons of blood per minute?” asked Gajraj. This allows elephants to maintain their massive size and strength, as well as regulate their body temperature in hot climates.
“If you feed me a banana or sugarcane, my digestive system can extract nutrients from them,” said Gajraj as he moved on to find his food. He is right! Elephants have a large and complex stomach that is divided into multiple chambers, similar to a cow’s stomach. This allows elephants to ferment plant material and extract as many nutrients as possible. Elephants also have a long and winding intestine that helps them absorb water and digest tough plant fibres.
As Gajraj walked majestically ahead, he proudly proclaimed “I also have the largest brain compared to any other land animal”. Elephants are known for their intelligence and complex social behaviours, which are linked to their large and highly developed brains. Elephants have a well-developed hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and spatial awareness, as well as a large prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making and problem-solving.
Also Read: Animal Safety For Kids
Elephants and Their Importance in our Ecosystem
Gajraj loved to talk about how elephants are vital to the ecosystem. “We help maintain the forest and grasslands, disperse seeds, and create pathways used by other animals,” he explained. Understanding elephants and their importance is crucial for our environment. Elephants consume a variety of plants and fruits, and their droppings contain seeds that are dispersed over vast distances. This helps in the regeneration of forests and ensures the survival of many plant species. Additionally, elephants play a vital role in shaping their habitats by creating clearings in forests and spreading nutrients through their dung.
A Gentle Giant’s Wisdom
As the sun set behind the trees, Gajraj shared a final thought, “Remember, every part of me has a purpose and a story. Respect and protect us, for we are an important part of your world.”
Like Gajraj, every elephant is a marvel of nature. Just like each of our body parts serves a very important purpose, even elephants’ body parts also serve important functions for them. Their body parts also remind us of how wonderful nature and evolution are. We must treat them with love, respect and empathy. Let us spread awareness and not let some selfish motives harm them for generations to come. Let us take proactive steps to protect these magnificent creatures and ensure their continued existence for the benefit of all.
At EuroSchool our students are deeply immersed in the elements of nature including the animal kingdom. Our students learn about various animals, their body parts, and the critical importance of each animal and their body parts to our environment. Knowing our environment and living beings better makes our students more empathetic towards other living beings, thus making them better human beings.
