Fatigued African Elephant Sprays Water Onto Its Body in Hwange National Park

Synopsis

Elephants have a distinct anatomical structure called the pharyngeal pouch, situated behind the tongue in the upper throat, which functions as an emergency water storage. This reservoir is used very rarely, typically during severe droughts when water scarcity leads to dehydration. In such instances, elephants may resort to regurgitating water from this pouch to sustain hydration and regulate body temperature.

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