Do Elephants Worship the Moon? Fact or Fiction

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If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen enthusiastic creators talk about how elephants worship the moon. But is this, in fact, true, or a ploy for followers? It’s a question that has sparked curiosity and debate. Elephants are known for their intelligence and complex social behaviors and have also long been the subject of myths and legends. This article dives into the world of elephant intelligence and explores the truth behind the moon worship theory.

do elephants worship the moon? — Do these magnificent creatures worship the moon?

The Elephant Moon Worship Myth

The idea that elephants worship the moon has its roots in ancient observations combined with the human propensity to create myths. This belief can be traced back to Pliny the Elder, a Roman author from the 1st century AD. In his writings, Pliny described the curious behavior of elephants in Mauretania. He claimed that herds would go to a river called Amilo during the new moon to perform a purification ritual. At the river, they supposedly sprinkled themselves with water. And, this was their way of paying respect to the moon before returning to the woods.

From Pliny the Elder’s Natural History:

“The elephant is the largest of them all, and in intelligence approaches the nearest to man. It understands the language of its country, it obeys commands, and it remembers all the duties which it has been taught. It is sensible alike of the pleasures of love and glory, and, to a degree that is rare among men even, possesses notions of honesty, prudence, and equity; it has a religious respect also for the stars, and a veneration for the sun and the moon.”

This ancient account sparked people’s imagination and led to the spread of the elephant moon worship myth. However, it’s important to note that Pliny’s writings, in general, often mixed fact with fiction. And, while elephants are known for their intelligence and complex behaviors, there’s no scientific evidence to support the idea that they actually worship the moon.

The claim often circulates on social media, gaining thousands of likes and shares. But, experts who study elephants have found no evidence of ritualistic behaviors related to the moon. Instead, elephants’ complex behaviors are linked to their social structures, memory, and problem-solving abilities.

It’s unfortunate that this myth gets retold again and again without due research. It makes sense that social media creators would post it because it is really cool and many people want to believe it. Sadly, though, in this case, there is just no proof behind the claim, and continuing to relate it as fact doesn’t do any good for anyone or animals.

Baby Elephant Plush

The Memory of an Elephant
by Alex Lasker

Loving Elephants Figurine

Elephant Behavior and Intelligence

Elephants possess remarkable intelligence and complex social behaviors. Their large brains, which are comparable to those of great apes, are excellent at long-term memory, spatial awareness, and social cognition. These gentle giants show empathy, self-awareness, and even behaviors suggestive of mourning. Elephants use tools, communicate through various vocalizations, and have intricate social structures led by matriarchs.

Elephants can recognize individual calls from up to 1.25 miles away. And they can remember the voices of family members they haven’t seen in years. Their ability to solve problems, cooperate, and adapt to changing environments are examples of their cognitive flexibility.

elephant behavior — Elephants using their trunks to greet and communicate with each other

Actual Ritualistic Behaviors in Elephants

While elephants don’t worship the moon, they do engage in other ritualistic behaviors. One of the most interesting is the “Greeting Ceremony,” where elephants meet familiar herd members after a period of separation. These ceremonies can go on for up to five minutes, with elephants trumpeting, roaring, and rumbling as they gather together and touch trunks.

The greeting ceremony length varies based on how long the elephants have been apart. Those who have just been separated for a short while (like over the course of a few hours or a day) give shorter, less vocal greetings.

Elephants also display remarkable behaviors around death. They often investigate the remains of deceased elephants, gently touching the body with their trunks. Some have been observed covering dead elephants with soil and vegetation in actions that resemble burial rituals.

Check out the amazing Elephant Voices project to learn more about elephant communication.