This Elephant Uses a Hose to Give Herself a Shower Every Day
Briefly

Mary, the Asian elephant at Berlin Zoo, has taken self-care to another level by using a hose to shower herself, showcasing advanced tool use. Notably, her skills highlight animals' innovative behaviors that point to cognitive sophistication and the social learning aspects of these magnificent creatures.
The techniques exhibited by Mary and Anchali reveal elephants' ability to modify their environment and interact with tools, indicating a higher level of problem-solving skills. Dr. Michael Brecht emphasized this as significant, illustrating that Mary's hose shower is not just a novelty but an instance of complex behavioral adaptation.
Observing Anchali's behavior of disrupting Mary's hose flow adds a new layer of communication and social interaction among elephants, suggesting an understanding that goes beyond mere imitation. This sabotage behavior not only displays intelligence but also indicates the social dynamics and competition for resources.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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