After a recent post about a change in temperature here in Brazil, we had several people ask questions about how elephants react to cooler weather, and what the sanctuary does to prepare for cold weather events. We thought we’d share a bit about what we’ve learned and how we would react in a scenario where long-term cold weather persisted.
Elephants are very individual as to their reactions to various temperatures; some thrive in cold weather, while others might get chilly faster. For instance, Rana, Maia, and Lady seem to like cooler temperatures (though we don’t do Lady’s foot soaks when it is chilly and overcast). Thinner elephants may get colder faster but, again, it is based on the individual. Technically, caregivers need to become concerned when temperatures reach 42 degrees F (6 degrees C) or below. That is when elephants may get frostbite on some of their more vulnerable areas.
In some parts of Asia where elephants live, it stays cold for months. The weather is not only wintry, but also rainy; Asia has many older elephants with compromised health, so they need to be able to keep the elephants warmer than we might here, as the climate stays warmer and it is almost never rainy and cold at the same time. Many elephants there have mahouts, or elephant keepers and riders, that stay with their elephant almost all the time. In those colder climates, and with constant supervision, it is possible to cover elephants with blankets. Ramba had a blanket in Chile, which she wore when it was very cold, but also enjoyed throwing it around more than wearing it.
Here, it does not get cold enough for the elephants to need blankets. Besides, when elephants have freedom of choice, they have the ability to push a blanket off almost immediately – where it can be a toy that is ripped into pieces or something that gets eaten.
On the coldest days here in Brazil, it may drop into the 50s F (10+ degrees C) in the evenings, and it almost never remains at that temperature for a full 48 hours. We estimate that happens perhaps ten times per year. In most situations, cooler temperatures last for about a day. The following day, the sun comes out and temperatures warm up significantly. Elephants store up heat in their core and, because a brisk day is generally preceded by a sunny day, they don’t get cold if there is a chilly evening. Elephants slowly release heat throughout the night and the entire next day. For that reason, they do not get particularly cold during the first chilly day. Should there be a second cool day, they may begin to get chilled, because the heat they have stored runs out. But the sun generally shines again on the second day, so the impact on their body temperature is minimal.
In order to receive accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (we are one of only 3 elephant sanctuaries in the world to be accredited), we must have a barn large enough to house our elephants and a source of artificial heat that can maintain a safe temperature, should the weather fall to a temperature unhealthy for elephants. We have the ability, if an elephant’s health becomes compromised, to make adjustments to the barn to accomplish this, but that has not been necessary, to date.
All in all, we have plenty of contingency plans in place in the event of cold weather that might negatively impact the elephants’ health. However, we don’t anticipate needing to employ those measures at this point.
Pictured: Maia under overcast skies
FAQs
Elephants store up heat in their core and, because a brisk day is generally preceded by a sunny day, they don't get cold if there is a chilly evening. Elephants slowly release heat throughout the night and the entire next day. For that reason, they do not get particularly cold during the first chilly day.
How do elephants handle cold weather? ›
Because of their size, elephants lose heat slowly and can tolerate lower temperatures.
What happens to elephants in the winter? ›
When temperatures do drop below freezing, the herd often goes outside for short periods of time. This is especially true on snow days, when the elephants can be seen venturing out to explore, sometimes choosing to spend time under the heated shelters located throughout their habitat.
What do elephants do in response to weather or seasons? ›
When the rainy season arrives, usually from October to December and March to June, elephant herds return to native regions to feed on the lush, green vegetation the rains helped regenerate. Elephant migration allows time for the re—growth of vegetation in exhausted grazing areas.
What weather do elephants like? ›
Elephants' day-to-day thermoregulation is interesting because their daytime body temperatures can later be balanced by the cooler nighttime conditions. However, a study out of Myanmar found that elephants generally thrive in temperatures closer to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius), but that can vary.
What kind of temperatures can elephants tolerate? ›
Despite living in hot environments, elephants are actually very sensitive to heat. For example, one study in Myanmar found that the temperature at which Asian elephants are most likely to thrive is a mere 23 degrees Celsius (73.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Rising above that optimum temperature places elephants at risk.
Do elephants shiver when cold? ›
In actual fact, when the temperatures drop you can see elephants physically shivering. Although their skin is thick, it is incredibly sensitive meaning that some captive elephants need to wear an extra layer to ensure they keep their body temperatures up.
What do elephants do when another elephant dies? ›
Elephants do grieve, and they are one of the few animals who are similar to humans in mourning patterns. Believe it or not, elephants cry. They bury their dead and pay tribute to the bodies and to the bones.
Are elephants OK in snow? ›
Elephants are generally adapted to live in warm climates and are not well-suited for extremely cold environments. While they can tolerate cooler temperatures to some extent, prolonged exposure to very cold conditions can pose risks to their health and well-being.
Do elephants mourn other elephants? ›
Numerous instances have been recorded across the world wherein these gentle giants were found to react when coming across the remains of other elephants, regardless of the strength of relationships they might have shared with the deceased individuals.
New information from Texas A&M University and other institutions shows that elephants can sense rain up to 150 miles away, even predicting when the rainy season — and a storm within that season — begins.
Can elephants hear thunderstorms? ›
The conservative estimates detailed above thus suggests that elephants can hear infrasound generated by thunderstorms from very long distances from the source.
How does temperature affect elephants? ›
A study of African savannah elephants found that they alter their behaviors when they experience higher temperatures. They spend more time seeking out shade and bathing themselves in water to cool down. Their feeding, walking, and resting behaviors also changed.
What do elephants enjoy the most? ›
Socializing: Elephants are highly social animals and enjoy spending time with their herd members. They engage in playful interactions, such as touching, grooming, and using their trunks to communicate with each other. Bathing and swimming: Elephants love water and often engage in bathing and swimming activities.
Do elephants feel sadness? ›
One of the most moving displays of elephant emotion is the grieving process. Elephants remember and mourn loved ones, even many years after their death.
Can elephants survive in cold climates? ›
The answer to this question is quite interesting. African elephants are exposed to both cold and hot temperatures in the wild. In Botswana, home to the largest wild elephant populations in the world, the temperatures can drop into the low 40s at night. These temperatures do not seem to bother the elephants.
What is the coldest an elephant can survive? ›
For elephants between 1 month and 17 years of age, maximal survival was reached at -24 degrees C, and any departures from this temperature increased mortality, whereas neonates and mature elephants had maximal survival at even lower temperatures.
How do elephants adapt to warm temperatures? ›
Wrinkly Skin
This is because it helps them stay cool. Their skin is actually pretty thin, and the wrinkles allow the heat to escape their bodies. Sometimes, elephants will take a dip into cool water to escape the heat. Their wrinkles trap the cold water, allowing them to stay cool for a longer period of time.
What is the minimum temperature for elephants? ›
Elephants exposed to temperatures below 40°F (5°C) for longer than 60 minutes, must be monitored hourly to assess the potential for hypothermia.
After a recent post about a change in temperature here in Brazil, we had several people ask questions about how elephants react to cooler weather, and what the sanctuary does to prepare for cold weather events. We thought we’d share a bit about what we’ve learned and how we would react in a scenario where long-term cold weather persisted.