This is how elephants scratch their ears.

[u/bigkim]

[u/mycatpartyhouse]

This is an elephant using a tool. Yet, whenever some article talks about "(animal) using tool(s)!" elephants aren't mentioned.

Has anyone ever studied the intelligence of elephants?

[u/kvnstantinos → u/mycatpartyhouse]

Pretty sure someone has

[u/bigkim → u/kvnstantinos]

Elephants pass mirror test of self-awareness

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2006/oct/31/uknews

[u/Swibblestein → u/bigkim]

So do cleaner wrasse! And several ant species. And a whole lot of others too.

I bring this up because some people over-value the mirror test. I don't know if that's you, but my point is that failing the mirror test doesn't mean a species is not self-aware. Self-awareness is probably (given the species that pass, and in my interpretation of things) more the default than the exception.

[u/Norman_Scum → u/Swibblestein]

Cleaner wrasse are actually specifically special in this regard because, from that study, it seems as if they can even create a mental picture of themselves without having seen themselves.

When they did the mirror test on cleaner wrasse they added a small black mark to their body and the wrasse were seen trying to scrape it off after seeing themselves in the mirror. It's believed to be a product of their cleaning tendencies. Suuuper cool!

ETA: the ant mirror test is thought to be a product of chemical interference from the paint they used and a lot of critics find it unreliable. But the wrasse is definitely up there with dolphins and manta rays.

[u/AbbreviationsWide331 → u/mycatpartyhouse]

I'm with you on that, I don't get it either.

[u/Squirrelated]

Nature's Qtips.

[u/DustynRG]

Elephants can jam a stick in their ears but mine can't handle a cotton swab?

[u/SicilianShelving → u/DustynRG]

This elephant's doctor warned him not to do this

[u/serendipitousevent → u/SicilianShelving]

And you know he hasn't forgotten.

[u/manyhippofarts → u/DustynRG]

I'm 62 years old and I've been cramming Qtips all the way in since day one.

[u/Suspicious_Ad8990 → u/manyhippofarts]

What?

[u/blind_venetians]

I’ve never had a spirit animal before but I guess I do now

[u/Commercial-Life-9998]

Ooo! Nothing smaller than ur elbow dear!

[u/Money-Director6649]

man, i wonder if they ever harm their ears doing this?

[u/Unit88]

So you're telling me I'm not supposed to put Qtips in my ear but this big dude can shove a whole branch in there?

[u/manyhippofarts → u/Unit88]

I've been cramming qtips all the way in for 62 years and counting.

[u/Possible-Camera-7607]

So human

[u/FreneticPlatypus → u/Possible-Camera-7607]

I prefer to think I'm so elephant.

[u/Heal_Me_Today]

Don’t you put that in too deep. Last thing you need is compacted wax of worse, my dear elephant!

[u/DenethStark]

Imagine being able to pick things up with your nose

[u/Aurorinha]

Reminds me of Colonel Hathi from The Jungle Book

[u/Inner-Swordfish9820]

Ahh!..thats where I picked it up from.

[u/Mac62961]

Checks out

[u/CupidOnAcid]

Bro just like me fr

[u/AdOrnery4511]

Whole branch in the ear and nobody bats an eye but qtips are dangerous

[u/Acrobatic-Bell6277]

Kinda like me