Elephants need to drink approximately 40
gallons of water each day. So an ample water supply is
critical for any elephant group. As a consequence, it
is not surprising that the annual cycle of monsoon rains
in the weather pattern of Asia plays a major role in
determining where elephants live and why they move from
place to place throughout the year. During the rainy
season when running streams are available everywhere,
obtaining sufficient water is an easy matter. However,
during the dry seasons, elephants often need to travel
over long distances just to find enough water to satisfy
their needs.
photo M. Noonan
During dry seasons, elephants move long
distances to reach water
More than just
drinking water, elephants almost always bathe in
it as well. This seems to be a way in which
they cool off, as well as an important part of
their skin care. It also, quite frankly,
appears to be just plain fun for them.
photo M. Noonan
Whatever the reason,
it is in the nature of elephants, when they
encounter open water, for them to wade in,
wallow around, and even roll and swim, using
their trunks like snorkels. In fact, they enter
the water so often, and they move so well when
in it, some scientists refer to elephants as
almost semi-aquatic in nature.