Sensory Abilities of the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

QUESTION

Other Animal’s Sensory Abilities – You are to research the sensory abilities that are held by another organism. You are required to use headings and numbers to help organize. So 1, 2, 3 a, b, …, 4a, b…

1. Specify which organism you have chosen (and why). Make sure to be as specific as possible – do not just list bird, fish, spider, dolphin, etc. In other words, I want Species level (dogs might even need to be subspecies as their senses differ even among breeds). Give official name (both full biological name and typical). Pick an animal that we know about the senses – so while dinosaurs may be interesting, we do not know much about their sensory abilities (Jurassic Park is not an acceptable resource) and they will not work. (5 points)

2. Tell me why you have chosen this animal – again in some detail. What about this animal is interesting enough to write a paper (5 points)?

3. Based on what you have been able to find out, list out and describe in detail all of the senses possessed by that organism and their capabilities. Explain which senses are considered to be dominant and which are not as dominant or missing according to research. Again, be very clear here – such as pitch ranges, additional eyes, describe extra sense, more brain, shape of organ, etc. It must be the SENSES (not breathing, eating, mating, running etc. unless you relate it to a sense). I expect complete detail on their sensory abilities along with ranges. Make sure to give references where you found this information and use in text citations (author, year).  Use the website to help with any odd references. Please note that I expect at least 3 different references here – I do not want just 1 reference and you copy that (no quotes allowed). The websites should be professional – not aimed at children. These references do not need to be scholarly articles – most of the journal articles on the animals are too specific (although you could use one if you would like). (30 points)

Here is the list of senses with possible differences to consider (this is not an all-inclusive list) – please list as given here (using the letters as given).

1. Vision – range can see (infrared or ultraviolet), color, binocular disparity, sensitivity (fovea), can see, pupils, etc.
2. Sound – range can hear, sound localization abilities (echolocation), different sensitivity in pitch, etc.
3. Touch – sensitivity differences in pressure, vibrations, temperature, pain, proprioception, kinesthetic, etc.
4. Taste – sensitivity differences (such as have taste or not), different tastes or location of taste buds, etc.
5. Smell – sensitivity levels, brain amount, etc.
6. Other senses not listed (vestibular sense, osmoregulation) or ones we do not have (electric, magnetic, air moisture), etc.

4. Assume you, as a human, suddenly acquire the organism’s senses that are new or different to you (either because humans lack that sense, or because the range over which those senses works is different for the organism you have chosen than for humans). Then based on the assumption you’ve selected, describe THREE changes you think would happen if you (or the organism) suddenly experienced this enhancement or detraction to your sensory abilities.  This can be sensory, social interactions, eating, motor, superpower, linked to sensory change etc. Please use numbers or letters to indicate the 3 items (so I can clearly see what 3).  Be detailed and creative. Make sure to link it back to your discussion of question 3. Please note, you are still human in form – what has changed is your sensory ability.  If it is an ability that you have, then you have lost the human version and gained the animal version.  If it is a new sense, then you just gain that one.  If the sense has not changed, you cannot just say “no change” – and do use a range of senses (not the same one 3 times). Remember that it is sensory – how does that impact your ability? Again, use in text citations. (15 points)

Please make sure to reference where you obtained this information (for Points 3 and 4). I have a link given in this module that will help you write appropriate references for websites, shows, etc. You will be using websites to help you out, but make sure they are all professional websites that aim to educate adults. The website listed below is NOT an adequate website as it is written for children – I merely give this to you as it contains a large number of examples to help you get started. You may also need to be more specific than the animals listed. I do not want “fish” or “bird” – be specific about your animal. Also, you may need more than 3 websites to help answer all of your questions – make sure to review multiple sources as well as your textbook. Five points are based on APA references and citations.

ANSWER

Sensory Abilities of the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Choice of Organism: I have chosen the African Elephant, specifically the Loxodonta africana species, as it is one of the most iconic and fascinating creatures on Earth. The African Elephant’s sensory abilities, especially its sense of touch and hearing, are highly developed and are vital for its survival and social interactions.

Rationale for Selection: The African Elephant is a remarkable animal due to its size, intelligence, and complex social behaviors. The sensory abilities of this species are particularly interesting because they play a pivotal role in various aspects of their lives, from foraging for food to communication within the herd. Studying these sensory abilities can shed light on the intricate world of these magnificent creatures and help in understanding the challenges they face in the wild.

Sensory Abilities of the African Elephant: a. Vision: African Elephants have relatively poor eyesight, with a limited color range (shades of blue and green) and low visual acuity. Their eyes are adapted for detecting motion rather than fine details. The eyes are relatively small compared to their body size, and their visual range is limited to around 25 meters. They rely more on other senses than vision.

 Sound: African Elephants possess exceptional hearing capabilities. They can hear a wide range of frequencies, including infrasound (below the human range of hearing), which allows for long-distance communication between individuals. They use their large ears to detect sounds and communicate with other elephants through a combination of vocalizations and infrasound.

 Touch: The sense of touch is highly developed in African Elephants, especially in their trunks. Their trunks are covered in sensitive skin and have a keen sense of touch, enabling them to grasp objects, detect subtle vibrations in the ground, and communicate with other elephants through tactile interactions. The trunk also plays a crucial role in their feeding, as it can manipulate and identify various plant materials.

Taste: Although information on the taste sensitivity of African Elephants is limited, they are known to have a preference for certain types of vegetation. The location and number of taste buds in their mouth remain areas of further research.

 Smell: African Elephants have a well-developed sense of smell, and they use it for various purposes, including identifying potential food sources and detecting danger. They possess a large olfactory bulb in their brain, indicating the importance of their sense of smell in their daily lives.

Changes in Sensory Abilities: a. Hearing Enhancement: If a human were to suddenly acquire the African Elephant’s exceptional hearing abilities, it would lead to several changes. The individual would be able to hear infrasound, facilitating long-distance communication with other animals or even detecting seismic activity. This heightened hearing would also have practical applications in emergency situations or wildlife conservation efforts.

Improved Touch Sensitivity: Acquiring the African Elephant’s acute sense of touch, particularly in the trunk, would significantly enhance one’s ability to manipulate and interact with the environment. This could lead to advanced tactile skills in activities such as art, craftsmanship, or even medical procedures.

Taste Sensitivity Change: If a human were to develop a heightened sense of taste like that of the African Elephant, it might influence dietary choices and preferences. With a more refined sense of taste, individuals might have a deeper appreciation for the subtleties of various foods and might develop a more sophisticated culinary culture.

In summary, the African Elephant’s sensory abilities, especially their hearing and sense of touch, are well-adapted to their environment and social behaviors. Acquiring some of these sensory enhancements would offer unique and advantageous perspectives on the world and potentially lead to innovative applications in human society.