Elephants Keep Tabs on Family

New research suggests that elephants keep track on up to 30 absent relatives by sniffing out their scent and building up a mental map of where they are. Herd members use their good memory and sense of smell to stay in touch as they travel in large groups.

Scientists collected samples of female elephant urine from the ground and presented it to relatives to trick them into believing that the elephant had recently passed by. Elephants showed surprise when they encountered the scent of an individual who was actually walking behind them so could not possibly have been there. The elephants also reacted when the urine was from a family member who was far away, and not supposed to be in the area.