Hello, Elephant! Ways of Greeting Among Elephants Have Captivated Scientists 0 10

Research has shown that these animals adapt their greeting rituals based on the actions of other individuals. When one elephant has managed to attract the attention of another, it prefers to use visual gestures, and if that fails, it resorts to touch.

The lead author of the study, Vesta Eleutheri, noted that previously researchers focused on sounds and smells separately, without considering the interaction of different senses.

Eleutheri's team tracked visual gestures such as ear flapping and trunk movements, alongside vocalizations and touches. They found that low rumbling sounds often accompanied ear flapping, indicating the elephants' desire to communicate.

Elephants greet only those they know and love, which makes their communication unique. This study opens new horizons in understanding multimodal communication in animals and emphasizes the importance of social relationships in their lives.