The Trunk Down There
Elephant penises are prehensile — they can move independently, swat flies, and even scratch the elephant's belly.
Male elephants possess one of the most versatile penises in the animal kingdom: it's prehensile, meaning it can move and grip independently, almost like a second trunk.
An elephant's penis can weigh over 60 pounds and reach lengths of nearly 6 feet. But its most remarkable feature is its mobility. Controlled by a combination of muscles, the penis can:
- Move in multiple directions independently - Be used to swat away flies and insects - Scratch the elephant's own belly - Prop the elephant up when it's lying down
During mating, this prehensility is essential. Because of the size difference and positioning challenges between elephants, the male's penis needs to essentially "search" for the female's reproductive tract, which is located further forward than in most mammals.
The penis also has an S-shaped curve when erect, which helps with positioning during mating. Male elephants don't reach sexual maturity until their late teens or early twenties, and competition for females is fierce.