Elephant's eye with "tears" running down the cheek |
The sight of an elephant is quite poor and they can
only see for short distances of up to 20 metres. In by-gone days elephant riders
mounted on tame elephants were able to venture unnoticed into wild herds to select those
suitable for training and subsequent sale. The eye is small in
comparison with the head and there is only a vestigial tear gland. Elephants do not
have a tear duct and 'tears' simply evaporate or run down the cheek. Sight
improves when in jungle areas or shade.
The poor eyesight is more than compensated by excellent hearing,
sense of smell and tactile sense. |
Hearing
