The African Savanna Elephant

What if one of the biggest animals on Earth could change an entire neighborhood just by taking a mud bath?

Meet the African savanna elephant, a giant mammal with enormous ears, a remarkable trunk, and a very important job in its ecosystem!

In the golden grasslands of Kenya's Tsavo National Park, a young elephant named Jambo is HOT. Luckily, his big sister Ellie knows just where to find a little relief. Together, they turn a tiny puddle into a magnificent, glorious, perfectly squishy mud hole!

There's just one problem. Other animals keep showing up! And Ellie isn't so sure she wants to share their special place.

Can two elephants keep an entire mud hole a secret? And what happens when a very tired little warthog needs their help?

Along the way, we’ll learn: 

• How elephants use their trunks to smell, breathe, drink, grab objects, and explore the world around them
• Why elephant ears are like “ear conditioning” 
• Who leads elephant families 
• What it means to be an ecosystem engineer

This week’s Wild and Kind mission is focused on using your voice to fight for animals. Need some inspiration? Our friends at History’s Kids have an episode this week detailing the true story of how a group of fourth graders fought to protect the endangered California freshwater fish. (Listen here.) 

Wild and Kind Kids is a screen-free animal podcast for curious kids ages 3–8 and their grown-ups. Each episode brings together an original animal story, real wildlife science, and a gentle invitation to care for the natural world. It's a fun way to explore animal adaptations, habitats, and conservation during car rides, quiet time, or family listening.

Keep exploring:

• Visit wildandkindkids.com to request your favorite animal or join our FREE Kids Club
• Sign up to support the podcast at wildandkindkids.com/support
• Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkids for more animal facts and behind-the-scenes fun.
• See more episodes from our friends at History’s Kids. 

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

• African savanna elephants (The World Wildlife Fund) 
• African elephant (National Geographic Kids) 
• VIDEO: What you didn’t know elephants can do with their trunks (Nat Geo Kids) 
• Elephants may hear ground vibrations through their bones (Discover Magazine) 

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