Why is it that we love elephants so much? What draws us to these giant rough-skinned mammals? Is it their flappy satellite-like ears and noodly trunks? The sheer size of these animals is enough to impress anyone. I think it's more than appearances, though, that make elephants so adored by people. They are gentle (unless threatened). Elephants are herbivores which means they don't prey on other animals. They can communicate across long distances and live in family herds. They're just humble giants. I have been lucky enough to hang out with some Indian elephants on a couple occasions. Back in 2011 I spent some time in India for the first time. While riding back to Delhi from a day trip at the Taj Mahal in Agra we stopped to feed and ride some elephants on the side of the road.

And again in 2012, while in Thailand, my friends and I visited an elephant sanctuary where we got to ride them around the sanctuary grounds and then go swimming with them.