The trunk is formed by a combination of the nose, upper lip and certain facial muscles. There are no bones in the trunk. The two nostril tubes are surrounded by approximately 60 000 muscle ‘units’, divided into 6 major muscle groups, which are responsible for the dexterity and fine movement of the trunk, as well as its strength. (Amazingly, the entire human body only has 639 muscles!).

An elephant can lift 4.5% of its own weight with its trunk – in the case of a bull this is around 270kg.

Elephants breathe through two nostrils at the end of their trunk. The trunk is also used to get water and food. To get water, the elephant sucks water into the trunk, then curls the trunk towards the mouth and squirts the water into it. The trunk of African elephant has two prehensile (grasping) extensions at the tip, which it uses like a hand; the Asian elephant has only one finger (which it uses as a scoop). These ’fingers’ on the tip of the trunk are capable of very detailed movements and are able to pick up something as small as a single seed. Once an animal has been weaned, everything an elephant eats or drinks is put in the mouth by the trunk.

An elephant can breathe through its mouth as well as through its trunk, so it can retain water or dust in the trunk without having to hold its breath.

The trunk also plays a key role in many social interactions. Elephants will greet each other by entwining their trunks. They use them during play-wrestling, caressing during courtship and for dominance displays – a raised trunk can be a threat, while a lowered trunk can be a sign of submission. Elephants can also use their trunks to defend themselves by flailing their trunk at unwanted intruders or grasping and throwing them.

An elephant also uses its trunk to smell – raising it up in the air and swivelling it like a periscope, it can determine the location of fellow elephants, predators and food/water sources.

The trunk is also used in communication. It not only helps to produce sounds, but by laying it on the ground, the elephant trunk is also able to pick up sensitive infrasound communications, which travel through the ground, from other elephants.