When elephants stand why do they tend to sway?

Answer 1

They are trying to find their center of gravity...!

Answer 2

It is a good simple way to take stress off their legs and feet. Carrying around that much weight can be rough on their feet and cause health problems. If they are just standing around and really do not wish to move, the swaying motion allows the weight to be shifted just enough to keep the blood flowing and muscles active enough to prevent pain in their feet, legs and hips.

Kinda like how if you are stuck standing for a long time you will find yourself shifting your weight from one foot to the other.

Side note: did you know elephants cannot walk on three legs

Answer 3

I've only seen elephants in captivity doing the swaying thing. Maybe it's boredom, or having to stand for long periods of time on hard surfaces like concrete, which makes their feet and legs tired. I've never seen elephants in the wild, but I've watched lots of documentaries about them, and I don't recall seeing them swaying back and forth.

Answer 4

If you weighed 7 tons.... you'd sway too. Try standing up perfectly still... it's impossible. There is always some motion... elephants are bigger so the motion is bigger. Mine does it all the time!

Answer 5

Humans also tend to shift their weight from one foot to the other. Perhaps the elephants are just trying to get comfortable.

Answer 6

it's very hard for them to get up from a laying position.

They sway to take the weight off their legs once in a while

Answer 7

You try lifting up a couple of tons and see if you don't sway a bit!

Answer 8

They sway due to anxiety and depression! PTSD due to being in captivity! Thats why you dont see them sway in the wild!

Answer 9

only on Fridays

Answer 10

they are shifting their weight