*from Google Images
I didn’t believe it, but apparently it’s true. Today is National Elephant Appreciation Day.
Why shouldn’t they get their own day? They are pretty magnificent. Who doesn’t like elephants, or at least respect them?
As Graydon Carter, an American journalist, says, “We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence.“
Of course we, as humans, have an odd way of showing our respect sometimes, the rest of that quote goes on, “But the way we treat them puts on display the very worst of human behavior.“
I guess they have been considered endangered/vulnerable species, but without doing some digging I don’t know where they stand today. I seem to recall once hearing that a zoo would give their elephants painting supplies and sell their artwork to generate funds. Apparently elephants are considered to be extremely intelligent and have a sophisticated elephant culture.
But when it comes to quotes, I think Dr. Seuss says it best, “I meant what I said and I said what I meant – An elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent!“
Here are some fun facts about Elephants, in no particular order:
- Elephants don’t really like peanuts.
- Asian elephants don’t actually run, which would require having all four feet off the ground at once. Asian elephants always have at least two feet in contact with the ground.
- Elephants will recognize themselves in a mirror.
- Elephants can get sunburned.
- Elephants have 6 toes.
These and other fun facts were found at Smithsonian.com website.
And even though it’s not Tuesday, here’s a joke in honor of National Elephant Appreciation Day:
Q: What do you get if you cross an elephant with a whale?
A: A submarine with a built-in snorkel.
This and other elephant jokes can be found at Elephant Jokes-Lanet.
Have a great day, and don’t forget National Elephant Appreciation Day!
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Janie's Place 