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Reaching for the finest and juiciest leaves at the top.

The elephant’s trunk tip contains two finger-like appendages that enhance its dexterity, allowing elephants to grasp small objects and perform precise movements. (I have read that the tip is so sensitive that they are able to turn pages in a book)

Their trunk is essentially a fusion of the nose and upper lip and its incredible versatility makes it possibly the most useful body part in the whole animal kingdom. The elephant’s trunk is so sensitive that it is more capable than a bloodhound’s nose and is said to be able to smell fresh water from almost 20 km (12.4 miles) away. The nostrils are located at the tip of the trunk and function in breathing and smelling. The sense of smell is in constant use, with the trunk moving back and forth, detecting new scents and information.

It is remarkable is how the trunk is able to manoeuvre in so many directions without any skeletal support. It is able to do this by means of tightly packed muscle fibres that keep its volume constant through a variety of movements. Longitudinal, cross-sectional and lateral muscle arrangements allow the trunk to flex in literally any direction possible.

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Belfast - Northern Ireland. January 2025

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