Do elephants drink snot when they drink water?

Reviewer: Chen Mingyong, Professor of the School of Ecology and Environment, Yunnan University

We all know that elephants can use their trunks to suck and spray water. You may have also heard that elephants drink water by first sucking water into their nasal cavities and then putting it into their mouths. This is because elephants are too large to bend down to drink water directly, so they use this more efficient and labor-saving method. However, have you ever thought about the possibility that drinking water with your trunk may bring about a new problem: Will you drink snot?

To answer this question, we must first clarify two things: 1. What is snot? 2. Where does snot come from?

Snot is the mucus in our nose. On the inside of our nose, there is a layer of nasal mucosa. In the nasal mucosa, there are some goblet cells that are responsible for secreting mucus. Elephants, like humans, also have a layer of nasal mucosa in their noses, so elephants also secrete snot. Of course, when they drink water through their noses, they also drink some snot into their stomachs.

Seeing this, you may feel a little gross. However, these "disgusting" snot are actually an important guardian. Compared with the benefits they bring, drinking a little snot is no big deal.

Why do I say so?

First, snot acts as a "purifier". We all know that there are a lot of harmful substances such as dust, pollen, bacteria, and viruses floating in the air all the time. However, there is snot in the nose, so when you breathe, the snot will block a lot of harmful substances, and even directly kill some bacteria and viruses, so that the air received by the lungs is cleaner.

In addition, snot also functions as a "humidifier". The mucus continuously secreted in the nasal cavity can keep the nasal mucosa moist. The nasal mucosa is a very soft film, which is easy to crack once it dries. Think about it, in the dry autumn weather, if you pick your nose hard, it is easy to tear the nasal mucosa and start nosebleeds. And once the nasal mucosa is damaged and wounds are formed, it may even cause infection and illness. And snot can just keep the nasal mucosa moisturized, allowing it to continue to work normally.

Many animals, including elephants and humans, benefit from the two benefits of snot mentioned above. And, as you might guess, not only elephants drink snot, but humans also swallow a lot of snot every day. Although we don't feel it, the nasal mucosa in our noses is actually secreting snot all the time, and the amount may scare you. In fact, according to statistics, a person secretes hundreds or even thousands of milliliters of snot every day. Put together, it almost fills up a large beverage bottle - where does all this snot go? Most of the snot will slowly flow into our throats, and before we know it, we swallow the snot into our stomachs.

So, snot is very useful, and swallowing a little snot is no big deal. Normal snot is transparent mucus. If you have a lot of snot, you have to blow your nose frequently, or your snot turns yellow, green, or even bloody, you should consider whether you are sick. In this sense, snot also serves as a health signal. Winter is here, remember to pay attention to your snot and protect your nose.