Why do elephants have big ears?

The large flapping ears of an elephant are very important for temperature regulation.



Elephant ears are made of a very thin layer of skin stretched over cartilage and a rich network of blood vessels. On hot days, elephants will flap their ears constantly, creating a slight breeze. This breeze cools the surface blood vessels, and then the cooler blood gets circulated to the rest of the animal's body. The hot blood entering the ears can be cooled as much as ten degrees Fahrenheit before returning to the body.



Differences in the ear sizes of African and Asian elephants can be explained, in part, by their geographical distribution. Africans originated and stayed near the equator, where it is warmer. Therefore, they have bigger ears. Asians live farther north, in slightly cooler climates, and thus have smaller ears.



The ears are also used in certain displays of aggression and during the males' mating period. If an elephant wants to intimidate a predator or rival, it will spread its ears out wide to make itself look more massive and imposing.



Oh, and because Noddy wouldn't pay the ransom.
Why do elephants have big ears?
coz they will stick out like a sore thumb amongst all the other animals if the were so huge but had rat's ears...
Reply:to keep cool
Reply:they have big ears because the local jellery shops only sell over sized earings, and you know how elephants are allways wanting to look their best.
Reply:SO THEY CAN MAKE TRUNK CALLS
Reply:why do bats drink blood? it's nature, who knows, but elephants rule!
Reply:to hear??? just a thought.
Reply:cos they would look silly with little ones
Reply:so that they can listen our conversation
Reply:to blackmail noddy?
Reply:because they have big bodies
Reply:For decoration.
Reply:Well I couldn't imagine them with little ears. Could you? :)
Reply:So Disney could make millions making a movie about it!
Reply:For the ransom



(Big Ears being Noddy's Friend)
Reply:Because they've got big noses ...



;^)
Reply:So they can listen in on your conversation!
Reply:to cool down the heat exits through them
Reply:millions of years ago when there was less land mass elephants used to fly to find greener partures.
Reply:Because Noddy wouldn't pay the ransom.
Reply:CUZ THEY CANT WEAR BLACK CADET HATS SO THEY SHOULD JUST GIVE THEM TO ME.......I WANT A BLACK CADET HAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:Q:Why does an African elephant have such large ears?



The enormous ears of elephants act as cooling devices. The gigantic earflaps (which can measure up to 2 square metres (21.5 square feet) are equipped with an intricate web of blood vessels. When the animal flaps its ears, the blood temperature lowers by as much as 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit). Back to Top
Reply:coz god created them with it
Reply:Cos when they were dinosaurs they could fly thx to their ears. Bit like Dumbo ...