The animals shown below were all photographed in the Addo Elephant National Park.
Cape buffalo
Their large drooping fringed ears hang down below the horns. They sometimes look torn, ragged, or scarred from fighting.
Elephant
The size of the ears of elephants helps to cool them down. They can act as a fan to move air over the body and also cool the blood as it circulates through the veins in the ears. Through careful observation one can learn to identify individual elephants by the nicks, notches, holes and missing bits caused by their travels through the bush.
Kudu
Kudu have an acute sense of hearing, thanks to their large round ears that alert them to danger.
Red hartebeest
White hair covers the inside of the long pointed ears of red hartebeest.
Warthog
The ears of the warthogs are prominently placed above their heads. They are leaf-shaped, with erect, slightly rounded tips.
Zebra
Zebras have large, rounded ears with lots of hair that helps to keep the dust out of them. It is interesting to note that the position of their ears can signal whether or not they are feeling calm or are alert to imminent danger in their vicinity.
Something Over Tea 
Only you would think of a post like this, but how delightful!
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I thought it might be fun to be a little different and am pleased you found it so.
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Wonderful photographs. I am reminded of our trip to Tanzania in 2018, visiting the NgoroNgoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. We were fortunate to witness these and a plethora of other animals and birds.
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How good it is to be reminded of such a wonderful place 🙂 We are fortunate to be able to see these animals less than two hours away from where we live.
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I think horses’ ears are like zebras…very indicative of their inner state, agitated or calm….fun to focus upon ears!! Mine stick out, but work pretty well.
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Ha! Ha! Mine do too, Julie 🙂 I was teased unmercifully about them when I was young. You are right about horses and zebras though – it is an interesting observation.
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An interesting take on these wonderful animals, Anne. Lovely photos too!
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Thank you, Belinda. It was time to present the animals in a different way 🙂
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What fun to see the ears of various animals that we would never see in the Maine forest.
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It is pleasing to know that you enjoyed discovering them as you scrolled down, Laurie.
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I love looking at ears and eyes of animals or people. I thought I would never get used to the stiff ears of our current dog. My past dogs had soft ears. I was happily surprised at your focus on ears.
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Thank you, Lisa. You are right about ears … perhaps I should focus on the eyes sometime in the future 🙂
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Oh, what I wouldn’t give to sit at Hapoor Dam right about now…
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That would be heaven … we are planning a trip to MZNP in July, which I am greatly looking forward to!
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Wat n wonderlike vooruitsig!
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Ek sien uit daarna … ‘n stukkie van die hemel 🙂
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splendid collection, Anne!
✨🙏🕉🌱🌿🌳🌻💚🕊☯🐉✨
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I am pleased that you have enjoyed seeing these photographs.
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🐘
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A marvellous collection of photographs so well described. The Cape buffalo does look sad
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I have yet to see a happy looking buffalo, Derrick.
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Great pictures Anne! The size of the elephant ears the fact it can use them like a fan – wow!
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Elephants have very large ears.
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It’s been years since I have been to a circus or a zoo and forgot. My boss went to South Africa a few years ago at Christmastime and early January. I know he went on a safari but don’t recall seeing any elephants in his photos.
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Depending on where he visited, it would be almost strange for him not to have come across an elephant (in a game park that is).
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He did take a safari in a game Park – hmm.
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A very enjoyable post. Its true that buffaloes generally don’t look exactly cheerful but the one in your photo looks particularly soulful.
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It does indeed – one could guess that its burden of woes has become too much.
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