why do elephants die when the tusk is removed?

Question

why do elephants die when the tusk is removed? I am trying to find a relation with elephants and humans, but i guess we don't relate that way. Because the tusk is on the outside and is like a tooth or something right? But when we remove nails or teeth we don't die. But then again we don't have bones that really stick out of us. So anyways why do elephants die when the tusk is removed?

good answers, and the rhino horn is actually keratin(same as our nails) not hair :) and to that 5th commenter, yes animals do feel pain :(

tips and mittens, honestly its just a innocent question, i thought they died after it and not that the poachers kill them, so don't be offended and say that anyone with common sense should know it, meaning i don't have common sense. I bet there is something that you believe that is so incorrect that you could be ridiculed heavily for it.

Answer 1

Tusk are teeth you are correct there. Rhino horns are hair.

Anyway, they do not die if they are trimmed off. To remove the tusk however requires a very large chunk taken out of the elephants face and into the skull because the tusk goes back 10 to 15 inches (depending on the size of the elephant and its tusks) back into the head. A wound that size would prevent the elephant from feeding (It is in the upper jaw remember). Circus elephants are often trimmed and wild elephants especially bulls usually break them off many times during their life. But this is outside the skull.

BTW elephants in most parts of africa use their tusks to strip bark off trees to feed.

Answer 2

Do Elephant Tusks Grow Back

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
why do elephants die when the tusk is removed?
why do elephants die when the tusk is removed? I am trying to find a relation with elephants and humans, but i guess we don't relate that way. Because the tusk is on the outside and is like a tooth or something right? But when we remove nails or teeth we don't die. But then again we...

Answer 4

I'm watching a NetFlix doc about Tyke the circus elephant and they talked about cutting her tusk down to "Equal the playing field" their quote not mine,,, anyway this has been a very interesting doc if you can find it may I suggest you watching, I do not believe in poaching them for the ivory nor do I believe they were put here for our amusement but I do know they do not die because of having their tusk removed. Now I've heard that these poachers give the elephant to villagers for them to eat, is this true?

Answer 5

When they cut off the tusk, the blood vessels and nerves, ie the pulp inside the tusk is exposed, which puts the elephant at risk for infection. This can cause a massively painful death for the elephant.

Answer 6

I don't know if they would die, but i wouldn't want to cut the tusks off of a live elephant. There is no need for the tusks, but they make useless, ornamental things out of the ivory. Apparently it is highly valued, but its illegal and only a black market trade.

Answer 7

Elephants don't die when the tusks are removed. Poachers kill the elephants so that getting the tusks isn't dangerous. Circus elephants often have their tusks removed (or cut down)

Answer 8

you can trim the tusks and they will live but the big problem in the wild they don't exactly hold still for people to cut of the tusk. so the poachers just shoot them then take the tusk cause it is much less hassle that way.


and completly wrong and ignorant in soooo many ways!

Answer 9

I don't know but anyone who does this to an elephant belongs dead, plain and simple.

Answer 10

Have you ever had a tooth pulled without pain medication first?
Even without the excellent answers given, any person with common sense should realize elephants and other mammals feel pain just like we do.
Poachers kill the elephants before removing the ivory. It is disgusting and sad.