African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth, towering over their Asian cousins by size. But despite this, Asian elephants carry a surprising advantage: their brains are about 20 percent heavier. This new finding comes from an international research team led by scientists at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW).
The study also reveals that elephant brains grow dramatically after birth — tripling in weight by adulthood. This postnatal brain growth surpasses that of nearly all primates. Human brains grow at an even faster rate after birth.
Extracting elephant brains is an exceptionally rare and challenging task, which explains why these insights are fresh. The researchers analyzed 19 brains from deceased zoo and wild elephants. They supplemented their data with earlier studies. This combination helped them reach their conclusions.
WHAT BIGGER BRAINS MEAN FOR BEHAVIOR
The heavier brains of Asian elephants may underlie key behavioral differences between the two species. For instance, Asian elephants have been domesticated in many cultures for thousands of years, serving as work animals. African elephants, on the other hand, resist domestication and are more difficult to habituate to human contact.
Researchers suggest the larger brain size in Asian elephants might correlate with their social adaptability and learning capabilities. Elephants live in complex social groups. They rely heavily on memory and experience. Matriarchs, in particular, lead and care for the young over many years.
CEREBELLUM SIZE AND MOTOR SKILLS: THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT’S TRUNK ADVANTAGE
Interestingly, the study found that the cerebellum—a brain region responsible for motor control—is proportionally larger in African elephants than in Asian ones. African elephants have two “fingers” at the tip of their trunks. This is compared to one in Asian elephants. This feature enables more precise and varied movements.
This motor skill complexity is reflected in their brain structure. This suggests the cerebellum’s relative size supports the African elephant’s sophisticated trunk use.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS: UNLOCKING ELEPHANT BRAIN MYSTERIES
Lead scientists Malav Shah, Michael Brecht, and Thomas Hildebrandt emphasize how much remains to be discovered about elephant brains. Understanding how brain size and structure affect their remarkable intelligence is crucial. It is also important to study their memory, social behavior, and motor skills. This is a key goal for future research.
WHY IT MATTERS
These insights deepen our understanding of two iconic species separated by millions of years of evolution. They highlight the importance of brain development in shaping social behavior and survival strategies in elephants—some of the most intelligent and socially complex animals on the planet.
