The Flexible Giant
Seeing the Elephant Whole

By Craig Holdrege

Nature Institute Perspectives, #2, 2003

ISBN 0-9744906-0-1

65 pages; paperback; $10.00

This fascinating little book, a fine example of Craig Holdrege’s whole organism biology, opens up a pathway to a deeper, more dynamic understanding of the elephant. Holdrege’s insightful descriptions of various aspects of the elephant’s anatomy, development, and behavior show how each manifests another facet of one ubiquitous, outstanding quality. This is most clearly evident in the elephant’s trunk, perhaps the most flexible, versatile and remarkable of mammalian organs. The trunk’s flexibility, dexterity and strength allow for innovative and varied behavior. Lifelong growth and maturation make up the developmental, more internal dimension of the “Flexible Giant.” In Holdrege’s descriptions, each aspect of this huge yet sensitive and adaptable animal provides yet another fascinating insight into its extraordinary nature.

Contents

1. Introduction—Portraying the Elephant
2. The Trunk and Flexibility
3. Variety and Versatility in Food and Habitat
4. Lifelong Change and Social Interactions
5. Teeth Reveal the Whole
6. Flexible Ideas
7. The Sensitive Giant
8. The Head in the Context of the Whole
9. The Sensitive Boundary
10. A Further Dimension of the Elephant’s World: Hearing
11. Comparison and Contrast to the Human Being
12. Elephantine Intelligence
13. Summarizing Picture
References and Bibliography