Elephants are magnificent creatures, both in size and charm.
Asian elephants, for instance, can weigh anywhere from 6,000 to 13,000 pounds and stand 7-10 feet tall at the shoulder.
While they might be smaller than their African counterparts, they’re still among the most massive land animals.
Their diet is diverse, including grasses, leaves, shrubs, fruits, and roots, with the specific foods they consume depending on their habitat and the time of year.
When it comes to fruits, there’s one that elephants particularly relish during the autumn season: pumpkins.
These gentle giants can’t seem to get enough of this tasty treat.
It’s worth noting that elephants dedicate a significant portion of their day, around 16 hours, just to eating.
They consume food equivalent to about 6% of their body weight daily and won’t hesitate to travel great distances in search of a delicious snack.
Their love for pumpkins is so profound that the staff at Oregon Zoo have taken note.
Recognizing the elephants’ pumpkin passion, the zoo has an annual event called the “Squishing of the Squash.”
Not only is it fun for the elephants, but also for anyone there to witness it!
The zookeepers present the elephant family with some extra-large pumpkins, and the results are delightful.
They smash the pumpkins as if they’re nothing more than light, fluffy cakes.
A couple of years ago, this pumpkin-smashing festivity was even captured on video and shared on the Oregon Zoo’s YouTube channel for all to witness.
The video showcases the sheer size and power of these animals.
Even though the pumpkins are enormous, they appear minuscule next to the elephants.
Initially, the elephants inspect the pumpkins curiously.
But soon, they begin to crush them one by one, as effortlessly as if they were squishing soft objects.
In no time, the pumpkins are reduced to bits, and the elephant family happily feasts on their Halloween treat.
For those curious about the size of these pumpkins, they weigh an impressive 1,200 lbs each.
The video quickly gained popularity, amassing over 4 million views and receiving nearly 2,500 comments.
Viewers were captivated by the gentle manner in which these colossal creatures smashed the pumpkins and loved the sounds they made too.
Many comments highlighted how much the elephants seemed to enjoy this special treat.
One viewer humorously commented, “Pumpkin season for Elephants is equivalent to humans finding a roll of bubble wrap that no one has popped any bubbles on.”
This sentiment perfectly captures the joy the elephants derive from this activity.
Another heartwarming observation by many was the cooperative nature of the elephants.
Instead of competing for the pumpkins, they took turns smashing them and shared the resulting feast.
This behavior isn’t just limited to the Oregon Zoo’s elephants.
In general, elephants are known for their communal and sharing nature.
They truly are remarkable creatures.
Check out the special pumpkin-smashing event in the video below. It’s A LOT of fun to watch!
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