Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores02:40

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

13.1K
Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...
13.1K
Migration00:53

Migration

8.0K
Migration is long-range, seasonal movement from one region or habitat to another. This common strategy, carried out by many different organisms around the world, is an adaptive response that typically corresponds to changes in an organism’s environment, like resource availability or climate. Migrations can involve huge groups of thousands of animals as well as single individuals traveling alone and can range from thousands of kilometers to just a few hundred meters.
8.0K
Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers01:17

Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers

1.2K
The muscles of the forearm that move the wrist, hand, and digits are numerous and diverse. They can be classified into two groups based on their location and function — the anterior and posterior compartment muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi...
1.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Moo-ving mountains: grazing agents drive terracette formation on steep hillslopes.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same author

Bridging Science Across Species: A Biomechanics Outreach Event at the Zoo.

Integrative organismal biology (Oxford, England)·2026
Same author

Gait transitions in load-pulling quadrupeds: insights from sled dogs and a minimal spring-loaded inverted pendulum model.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same author

Meniscus Profiling of Fly Fishing Lures by Optical Diffraction.

Integrative and comparative biology·2026
Same author

TAMP-OS: An Open-Source Workflow for Tactile 3D-Printable Lithographs.

Integrative and comparative biology·2026
Same author

Bioinspired Light-Scattering Structures for Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026
Same journal

A bio-inspired, soft-bodied jumper.

Bioinspiration & biomimetics·2026
Same journal

Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Exoskeletal Architecture of the Cuttlebone.

Bioinspiration & biomimetics·2026
Same journal

Design, Kinematic Modeling and Aerodynamic Performance Evaluation of a Beetle-Inspired Folding Wing with High Folding Ratio.

Bioinspiration & biomimetics·2026
Same journal

Proprioceptive Feedback Control Improves Peristaltic Turning in Confined Environments.

Bioinspiration & biomimetics·2026
Same journal

Design of an Inchworm-Inspired Crawling Robot Based on Dielectric Elastomers.

Bioinspiration & biomimetics·2026
Same journal

Landing-Induced Viscoelastic Changes in an Anthropomimetic Foot Joint Structure are Modulated by Foot Structure and Posture.

Bioinspiration & biomimetics·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Design and Use of an Apparatus for Presenting Graspable Objects in 3D Workspace
09:11

Design and Use of an Apparatus for Presenting Graspable Objects in 3D Workspace

Published on: August 8, 2019

5.8K

Elephant trunks use an adaptable prehensile grip.

Andrew K Schulz1,2, Joy S Reidenberg3, Jia Ning Wu4

  • 1Schools of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States of America.

Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
|January 18, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

African elephants use their trunks to lift heavy weights, adjusting grip by changing acceleration, trunk orientation, and wrapping. Wrinkles on the trunk enhance grip by increasing surface area for heavier objects.

Keywords:
capstanpowerweight lifting

More Related Videos

Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates
16:00

Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates

Published on: November 11, 2011

22.5K
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Grasping Abilities for Hemiplegic Patients with Flexible Robotic Limbs
03:55

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Grasping Abilities for Hemiplegic Patients with Flexible Robotic Limbs

Published on: October 27, 2023

2.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Design and Use of an Apparatus for Presenting Graspable Objects in 3D Workspace
09:11

Design and Use of an Apparatus for Presenting Graspable Objects in 3D Workspace

Published on: August 8, 2019

5.8K
Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates
16:00

Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates

Published on: November 11, 2011

22.5K
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Grasping Abilities for Hemiplegic Patients with Flexible Robotic Limbs
03:55

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Grasping Abilities for Hemiplegic Patients with Flexible Robotic Limbs

Published on: October 27, 2023

2.2K

Area of Science:

  • Zoology
  • Biomechanics
  • Robotics

Background:

  • Elephants (Loxodonta africana) are known for trunk dexterity but their weight-lifting strategies are poorly understood.
  • Understanding elephant trunk mechanics can inform bio-inspired soft robotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how African elephants adjust their trunk grip strategy when lifting objects of varying weights.
  • To analyze the role of trunk shape and wrinkle geometry in grip adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • An African elephant was trained to lift barbell weights ranging from 20-60 kg using only its trunk.
  • Trunk shape and wrinkle patterns were analyzed from a frozen elephant trunk specimen.
  • Mathematical models were used to correlate weight, trunk force, and surface area.

Main Results:

  • Elephants employed strategies like reduced acceleration, vertical trunk orientation, and increased trunk wrapping for heavier weights.
  • Trunk tensile force remained constant, while barbell-wrapping surface area increased with weight.
  • Trunk wrinkles were found to increase the surface area for grip.

Conclusions:

  • Elephant trunk grip is adaptable to object weight through behavioral and morphological adjustments.
  • Trunk wrinkles play a crucial role in enhancing grip stability and surface area.
  • Findings can inspire the design of advanced soft robotic grippers with adaptable surface morphology.