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this post was submitted on 07 Jan 2024
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Do the elephants actually get cold in this Indian weather? I'm not familiar with the full range of Indian climate or elephant body temps, but I know horses only "get cold" at temperatures well below human "cold" thresholds, and I would expect elephants to be similar.
I did a bit of googling. At temps below 6C or 42F, elephants are at risk of frostbite. Thinner elephants are more at risk. I assume mistreated, very young, elderly and sick elephants are more vulnerable, like humans. In the wild, healthy adult elephants huddle together for warmth.
India is absolutely massive and in the north you have the Himalayan mountains. Temps drop as low as -45C, -42F in some areas. Elephants do live in the Himalayas, but I assume not at high altitude/in the coldest parts.
Frostbite at 6C? Sounds a bit hyperbolic, so I will assume you mean the lower comfort temperature threshold which seems totally reasonable, as does the idea that many parts of elephant-inhabited India get to temps below that in the cold seasons. Thanks for the info! Also duh, Himalayas. Totally forgot about those, even if the elephants aren't exactly summiting them.
You’re welcome! Here’s the source for frostbite. No idea how reliable it is though.
I could see it causing hypothermia or some other issue but for it to be frostbite doesn't there have to be...you know...frost?
Delhi temperature: North India shivers under the grip of cold wave