Measuring the force of the tip of the elephants trunk

Maximum trunk tip force assessment related to trunk position and prehensile ’fingers’ implication in African savannah elephants

“…By repeating this action, maximum force was achieved. Details of the design and functioning of this device are set out in the article dealing with the validation of this system in a zoological park [ 6 ]. Unlike the system presented in the latter article, the sensors were upright at the height of the trunk when extended right in front of the elephant, i.e.…”

“…This particular anatomy makes this organ a muscular hydrostat, i.e., an organ that retains its volume regardless of shape change. Its high degree of freedom [ 5 ] allows it to move precisely and exert significant force [ 6 – 8 ]. African elephants have colossal strength, capable of uprooting a tree, yet few studies have attempted to quantify this grasping force.…”

“…African elephants tend to pinch smaller objects between the two trunk-tip fingers and grasp larger objects by wrapping the trunk distally around them [ 2 ]. During the test sequence to validate our experimental system, it was shown that a female Savannah African elephant can apply a force of at least 32.79 N when pinching with the two fingers of its trunk [ 6 ].…”

“…Using a device equipped with force sensors and an automatic reward system [ 6 ], the maximum trunk tip pinch force has been quantified in five captive female African savanna elephants (ZooParc of Beauval, France). As previously mentioned, it was demonstrated that an elephant can apply a pinching force of at least 32.79 N [ 6 ].…”

“…Using a device equipped with force sensors and an automatic reward system [ 6 ], the maximum trunk tip pinch force has been quantified in five captive female African savanna elephants (ZooParc of Beauval, France). As previously mentioned, it was demonstrated that an elephant can apply a pinching force of at least 32.79 N [ 6 ]. Thanks to the keepers’ indications, we know that the force of the tip of the trunk is much less than that generated by a human hand grip which ranges between 274 N for women and 461 N for males.…”