Trending
Baby Elephant Scares Himself With Sneeze
I can't stop laughing! This adorable baby elephant is too cute for words.
Britanie Leclair
08.13.17

Sneezing can be annoying as hellโ€” but also disturbingly satisfying.

According to Scientific American, sneezing is a biological response caused by the noseโ€™s epithelium lining being irritated. Generally, the sneezing process begins when inflammatory cells (like eosinophils and mast cells) release chemicals (such as histamines and leukotrienes) after being physically irritated by irritants. These can include anything from smoke and pollution to perfume and cold air

These histamines and leukotrienes ultimately lead to fluid leakage which stimulates nerve endings and makes your nose feel itchy. The itching sensation then activates a reflex in the brain, and BAMโ€” an oh-so-relieving sneeze.

Advertisement

Although sneezing isnโ€™t the prettiest activity for most of usโ€” when this baby elephant does it, it is downright ADORABLE.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

In the 30-second clip which was uploaded to YouTube in February of 2009, we see a group of elephants crossing a dirt path.

Advertisement

Very quickly, however, the little one takes note of the people filming, turning directly their way.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot
Advertisement

โ€œAwe!โ€ you can hear the people behind the camera saying over the flash of photos. โ€œHello, baby!โ€

By the 7-second mark, however, the tiny elephant lets out a whopping sneezeโ€” scaring itself and completely cracking up his audience.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

The little elephant immediately runs to its mother, seeking protection from the โ€œscaryโ€ sneeze, the ele-family stopping to soothe the little guy before carrying on their merry way.

Advertisement
YouTube Screenshot
Source:
YouTube Screenshot

You can hear a male in the background saying, โ€œPlease tell me someone got that on video,โ€ before a woman answers, โ€œI did, I did!โ€

In a National Geographic article about animal sneezes, John Lenhardt, of the National Elephant Center, an elephant sanctuary in Florida, explains, โ€œIndeed, elephants sneeze through their trunks as it is still their nose.โ€

Advertisement

He continues, โ€œIt can be very loud, as you might imagine, and is usually accompanied by significant spray also. It is normal, but just elephant-sized.โ€

Regardless of the science behind it, I have just developed a newfound love of elephant sneezesโ€” and if Twitter is any indication, I am definitely not the only one!

Advertisement

Although itโ€™s an older video, it has once again been making its rounds, hitting an impressive 18.2 million views on YouTube.

Check it out for yourself below!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Article Sources:
To learn more read our Editorial Standards.
Advertisement
Advertisement