Why you should not try to castrate an elephant

Unlike most mammals, elephants have their testicles nestled deep within their bodies

Male bull elephants in South Africa. They belong to a diverse group called afrotherians - mammals that live in or originated from Africa.
Male bull elephants in South Africa. They belong to a diverse group called afrotherians - mammals that live in or originated from Africa. PHOTO: NYTIMES
A rock hyrax in South Africa. Though the rock hyrax does not have descending testicles, it does have the two inactive genes that are specifically associated with testicular descent.
A rock hyrax in South Africa. Though the rock hyrax does not have descending testicles, it does have the two inactive genes that are specifically associated with testicular descent. PHOTO: NYTIMES
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Reader, here is an incomplete list of things you should not try with elephants: a memory contest, jump rope and castration.

See, in addition to having uncanny recall and a firm relationship with gravity, elephants have their testicles nestled deep within their bodies, all the way up near their kidneys.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 05, 2018, with the headline Why you should not try to castrate an elephant. Subscribe