White elephants are something unreal, distant and even fabulous. We are all accustomed to these giants of gray color, but it turns out that in nature there are also smoky, pink and very bright animals. In fact, it all depends on the soil on which they live. All elephants are conditionally divided into two categories: African and Asian. The second ones are slightly smaller and calmer than their violent relatives descended from deserts. In many Asian countries, the elephant is considered to be a good and faithful animal, an excellent assistant, helping out both in peacetime and in military operations.
White elephant is considered a very rare species. In the wild, it is not easy to meet him, so even those individuals who have a bright spot are ranked in this category. Such animals are captured and placed in reserves because they are considered sacred. The tradition of worshiping white elephants appeared in India. This is due to one of the deities who appeared to people in this form. Buddha, appearing in this world, as a vehicle he chose a three-headed snow-white giant capable of causing rain.
White elephants are mentioned in the culture of not only Asian, but also European countries. In particular, in England there is an expression that sounds like “give a white elephant”, which means giving an unnecessary, irrelevant thing. This is due to the fact that this sacred animal cannot be used for its own purposes, to carry goods on it, ride, etc. It is only necessary to take care of him, feed, drink, care, that is, no use, but only losses.
White elephants are especially honored in Thailand. Snow-white giants are depicted on the flag of the naval forces of this country, and the Order of the White Elephant is considered one of the most honorable awards, it is personally presented by the king. Some researchers believe that albinos do not exist among these individuals. This is due to the fact that most of the captured animals have a pink tint, but they are also considered white.
There are many myths associated with these kind and calm giants. There are very few real ones, some of them are only partially true, others contain fiction. For example, for a long time it was believed that elephants were afraid of mice. In the course of research, it turned out that they were really trying to stay away from rodents, but this was not due to timidity, but to natural caution.
White elephants are physiologically no different from ordinary ones, their life expectancy is on average about 60 years, but under favorable conditions they can survive a century. They sleep on average 4 hours a day. To do this, they lie on the ground, yawn, and when they fall into a deep sleep, they snore loudly. Standing sleeping only sick animals. Females females bear up to two years, the birth takes another elephant. The duties of the latter include cleansing the placenta and taking the baby elephant away from the mother, because the woman in labor is so excited that she can trample her cub.
In the wild, elephants die of hunger, because with the advent of old age they lose their teeth and muscle atrophy. To soak, they go to more humid places, where they are buried in silt, and they are attacked by crocodiles. Related to this is the fact that in the desert it is impossible to find the remains of these animals, other inhabitants completely destroy them. In physiological terms, white elephants are no different from ordinary ones. Photos of these giants allow us to believe that they really exist. Some individuals live in nature reserves in Thailand.
