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Win Denver Museum of Nature & Science Tickets To See ‘The Secret World of Elephants’

POSTED BY
Laura

All winners have been drawn and notified. Elephants are among the most beloved creatures in the animal kingdom. Now you can discover the science behind nature’s most lovable giants, from how they “hear” through their feet to ways they contribute to daily life around the planet. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has a new temporary exhibit The Secret World of Elephants from October 24, 2025 to January 25, 2026.

The exhibition features a life-size model of an African elephant—the largest living land animal. A video projection on one side of the African elephant model shows the skeleton of this massive mammal and provides an inside look at how it processes the huge amount of food it eats—about 300–500 pounds per day—and elephant gestation, which can last for nearly two years, longer than any other living mammal. Photo: Alvaro Keding/© AMNH

Extra cool fun fact! Denver is the first stop on the exhibition’s national tour after its debut at New York’s American museum of Natural History (AMNH), where it was created.

Through hands-on interactive stations, you can feel the low-frequency rumbles elephants use to communicate, explore how they reshape their environments and come face-to-face with models of extinct relatives, such as dwarf elephants.

This fun, hands-on exhibition gives families a unique look at the amazing world of elephants. You’ll discover how these incredible animals evolved, learn about their fascinating behaviors, and see why they’re so important to the environments where they live.

“Elephants are more than just the largest land animals alive today—they are the final living representatives of a diverse group of mammals that once roamed across the globe including here in our own backyard,” said Dr. Holly Lutz, associate curator of mammals at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

“The new exhibition ‘The Secret World of Elephants’ tells the story of elephants’ resilience and remarkable adaptation to changing ecosystems and how they evolved into the highly intelligent and social animals we know and love today.”

The exhibit will be in the Phipps Gallery on the DMNS third floor.

In The Secret World of Elephants, visitors will encounter life-size models of an adult and calf pair of dwarf elephants (Palaeoloxodon falconeri). These extinct animals, which lived in what is now Sicily, only grew to about 4 feet tall at their shoulders. Photo: Alvaro Keding/© AMNH

Exhibit Highlights:

Mammoth tusk interactive: Explore how scientists use isotope “fingerprints” to trace mammoth migration across Alaska 17,000 years ago.

African elephant model: Discover how an African elephant processes 300–500 pounds of food daily and experiences a nearly two-year gestation period through a video projection on a life-size model.

Infrasound station: Feel the low-frequency sound waves that elephants use to communicate through the ground and watch projections illustrating how these vibrations travel to their brains.

Elephant poop interactive: Investigate the science behind elephant poop and how it helps spread seeds and provides nutrients for plants and animals.

Elephant herd magnets: Create your own elephant herd with large magnets representing the matriarch and other members of the group.

Elephant behavior interactive: Test how well you can “speak elephant” and correctly guess the meaning behind various behaviors.

Shaba: Screen a moving documentary video about how one elephant sanctuary in Kenya is working to rehabilitate orphaned elephants

The exhibit is included for FREE with Museum general admission.

In The Secret World of Elephants, visitors can investigate the science of elephant poop through life-size replicas to find out how it provides key nutrients for plants and other animals and helps expand plant ranges by transporting seeds. Photo: Alvaro Keding/© AMNH

Enter to Win DMNS Tickets

Our friends at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have given MHOTC 4 sets of family 4-packs tickets to visit the Museum and see the Elephant exhibit.

Each prize package will include general admission tickets (so you can enjoy all the museum has to offer before or after viewing the Elephant exhibit).

The tickets may be used at any time. The Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most Fridays until 9 p.m.

To enter this giveaway:

Comment below and tell us why you think elephants are cool.

Entrants must be a Colorado resident.

Limit one entry per e-mail address and/or household. (Duplicate entries will be disqualified.)

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 5 p.m.

We will randomly pick the winners and contact them via e-mail.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary L Juszynski says

    In Africa they have bee fencing to keep the elephants away from the farms and farmers…and then the elephants are free to roam where they will. Such an amazing and awe inspiring gift to the world.

  3. Rachelle Wille says

    elephants are cool because they’re such gentle giants and they have fun personalities.

  4. Linda McCoy says

    Elephants are cool because they are so protective of each other and have strong family bonds.

  12. Ave Flores says

    Elephants are cool because they pull together to take great care and protect the younger elephants in the herd.

  13. Ashley Byrd says

    Elephants are amazing because of their size and grace. Their loyalty, love & bonds for one another is truly remarkable.

  15. Dee says

    Elephants use the “it takes a village” approach to raising their babies and protecting the herd. And their bodies are unique in the animal kingdom.

  16. Debra Gordon says

    Elephants are one of my favorite animals. I would love to learn more about them. It would be great to share this with my family.

  17. Karla Henke says

    I love how they use their trunks to grab the tail of the elephant in front of them when they’re walking together.

  19. Elizabeth Finfgeld says

    Elephants are all about GIRL POWERRRrrrrrr, which is extremely cool! The eldest (and largest) lady elephant in a herd is commonly the leader of her entire family unit, using her accumulated wisdom to help all the members of her group locate valuable food/water resources as well as strategically react to dangerous situations.

  23. Lynn R says

    Elephants are emotionally rich and sophisticated. And they operate on a matriarchy, which I think is VERY logical!

  24. Joy Miles says

    The oldest and largest female is the the leader of an elephant tribe. She uses her wisdom to guide the herd. I love that grandma’s are the leaders. Elephants teach us so much of how to be a community. Love them.

  26. Laurie Claunch says

    Just looking at an elephant brings a smile to your face. They are the perfect combination of cute and weird.

  28. BETHANY WEBB says

    Elephants have always been one of my favorites!!! Such gentle creatures with so much power!! Amazing!! This would make my day.

  29. Alyssa says

    Elephants are cool because they are matriarchal and herds are guided by the most experienced female elephant. They also have incredible memories!

  30. Brenda says

    I was at a watering hole while on safari in Africa many years ago huddled up in a blanket, waiting and waiting for animals to come. Seemed like I wasn’t going to have any luck when suddenly I looked up and COMPLETELY SILENTLY an entire group of elephants appeared out of the forest and came to the edge of the water. How they can be so big and yet so silent was incredible.

  33. Jodi L Kopke says

    Interesting fact – elephants mourn their dead, similar to humans. When an elephant in a group dies, they will all gather around, touching the elephant with their trunks and make noises to one another. They have been known to stay gathered like that for hours…

  36. Wanda Carpenter says

    Elephants are so cool because they have such loving family relationships and take care of each other.

  37. Mari Johnson says

    What is there not to love about elephants. These giants that are so large are also so gentle and smart. They use their trunks to pick up the smallest items with their trunks. When you make eye contact with one of them you know they are really looking at you. And the best is how maternal they are caring for their young, caring for other young and lastly, their sensitivity that they truly mourn the passing of one of their herd. What is not to love??

  38. Sue B says

    Family is so important to elephants. The wise mothers are always on the lookout, making decisions to keep their family safe and the dominant males provide structure, stability and security in the young bull’s life.

  40. Holly Clifford says

    Colorado’s Tee Cross Ranch owner, Bob Norris, the Marlboro Man, once rescued a baby elephant who survived a cull event . He raised it on his Colorado Springs ranch and took it to local school events.

  41. Christine McLelland says

    Elephants are so cool because they are so smart with a complex social system. They are special to me because my beloved mother used to collect elephant statues, and they were all so lovely. I miss her and them!

  44. Wendy B says

    Elephants have trunks with over 40,000 muscles! African elephants have large ears shaped like Africa that help them cool down because they live in hot climates, while Asian elephants have smaller ears because they live in cooler more forested areas.

  46. Linda Weinstein says

    I love how they take care of their young and I love their ears and how they are different shapes in the different species and love love love Dumbo

  47. Quinn M Chapman says

    I read a book several years ago about elephants and learned how relational they are. I have so much respect for elephants and appreciate them even more now!

  48. Diadre says

    I used to love to visit the La Brea tar pits in L. A. as a child, now I have an opportunity to experience a new kind of exhibit experience with my teenage son..

  49. Lisa H Barber says

    Elephants are so smart!!!

    The mother elephants are amazing care takers of their young, and the young elephants of the elephant group!!

    We would truly enjoy the opportunity to see the elephant exhibit of the museum!!

  50. Tina Heirls says

    Elephants are so cool because they have matriarchal societies and are incredibly smart.

    This is from my daughter who is hopefullly graduating in May from CSU with her zoology degree. She loves every animal there is.

  51. Linda Dinsmore says

    Elephants are cool because they think of humans as cute pets. They are generally gentle and intelligent with strong family bonds. They look out for each other in the herd.

  52. Carolina says

    Elephants are cool because they have a very strong memory, they have a strong social and family unit and they are very protective of their young, and who can resist a baby elephant 😘

  53. Bonnie Chapman says

    Elephants are so cool and special because of their incredible intelligence, exhibition of emotions that are similar to humans, and they can communicate with their trunks! They also greet when one of their own dies. They are truly unique creatures.

  56. Stella B says

    Love we are lucky enough to have museums of this caliber right here on our doorstep. Looking forward to this exhibit.

  58. Jayne Lyall says

    Elephants are one of the few species, along with humans, observed to have death rituals.

  60. Pam Hamilton says

    OH how I’d love to win these tickets for a dear friend who has adored elephants since a child – so much so her profession is now organizing African safaris to share her ‘Elephant-Love’ with others. This would and will be a wonderful Birthday gift to my dear friend!!

  61. Gina Durazo says

    Interesting fact. Did you know elephants can purr as a way of communication through vibrations of their vocal folds, similar to a cat. Absolutely amazing!

  62. Dori Cosinga says

    Elephants are the coolest because they can hear through their feet! My favorite animal! ❤️

  68. Mj says

    Elephants are one of God’s most unique creature and so so big. But the babies are the most precious. :).

  70. Christina says

    Elephants are fascinating because they are highly intelligent, in addition to emotional intelligence. Plus they find humans adorable.

  71. LC says

    They are the biggest land mammals on the planet and deserve their own exhibition so that we all understand these beautiful and powerful animals now and in the future.

  75. Cindy says

    They are majestic and highly intelligent animals with a strong bond to family and community. Absolutely wonderful 😊

  77. Rebecca says

    I have LOVED elephants since I was a child. Some elements that make elephants cool are the fact that it takes decades for them to finish growing, and their skin is much thicker than humans.

  78. Merla Sirovy says

    Elephants are amazing creatures!! Their size can be intimidating, but they are also animal kind, sociable, and very intelligent. An animal that you want to get to know better..
    My family looks forward to finding out more at the museum’’s exhibit.

  80. Paula says

    Very interesting fact shared about elephants. I would love for my family to come visit. The elephant is my daughters favorite.

  81. Teresa says

    Elephants are cool because of their trunks. Watching them eat by lifting the food with their trunks to their mouth is fun to watch.

  84. Debora Skelton says

    I like the relationship they form with other animals. Small birds like to ride on elephants and they in return eat the insects from the elephants’ backs.

  85. Tj says

    elephants are cool, :-)Dumbo. they have strong family bonds and are one of the few species that can recognize themselves in a mirror

  86. Sally Snyder says

    I love Elephants. They are smart. I recently read about abuse to this wonderful animal and felt so sad and upset. I want to learn more.

  88. Yesenia says

    Elephants resemble wisdom and good luck. They’re very beautiful and large and deserve to be protected from being hunted.

  92. Tanya Walker says

    My daughter has loved elephants since she was three years old! This would be such a fun exhibit for her to see!

  93. Heather Jones says

    Elephants are incredibly intelligent. They have strong social and emotional bonds, often showing empathy and mourning. They are also physically impressive as the largest land animals. Amazing creatures!

  95. Kristina says

    elephants are so cool because they have a long memory; remembering past zoo mates from many years before.

  96. Susan Baker says

    The elephant society is so cool in that the mothers are the leaders and decision makers and all the family members help each other.

  99. Shanda Salazar says

    I love elephants because they so intelligent and loyal to their mate and family. They really help the whole herd and even grieve their loved ones. I was lucky enough as a child to ride a baby elephant bareback and it was amazing (pokey as heck, their hair is like wire).

  100. Andrew Granat says

    Elephants “partners” are in love for life and stay together. I love my wife and kids!

  101. Jodi says

    I think elephants are extraordinary creatures. I’ve learned and witnessed their intelligence, empathy, and strong social bonds…When I visited Thailand, I saw firsthand how elephants are often used and abused in tourism, which was heartbreaking. That experience pushed me to learn more, especially through a PBS documentary that opened my eyes to their depth of emotion, memory, and the way they live in tight-knit family groups led by matriarchs. I was amazed by how they protect one another, grieve their dead, and remember kindness or harm even years later. Despite the cruelty many face, their gentleness and loyalty to their herd moved me deeply, and that’s why I find them so extraordinary.

  106. Mary M. says

    As a swimmer myself and one who uses a snorkel when swimming, it is fascinating that elephants use their trunks while swimming. I also wish I had the memory capability like an elephant.

  107. Anthony Hayes says

    Elephants have a springingly fun personality, always fun to watch them play at Denver Zoo.

  110. ANTHONY L. says

    As elephants walk, it stirs up insects like grasshoppers from the grass. The egrets get an easy meal by snatching the insects. Only one of the many ways they benefit the ecosystems they are part of. THANKS MHTC

  113. Carl Grant says

    We visited an elephant sanctuary in Thailand and elephants are the most amazing and gentle animals. We found out that when we go back, these creatures will remember us.

  114. Kim says

    I love the way they live in tight-knit family groups led by matriarchs and the way they are always looking, loving on each other and their familes.

  116. Lori Pickering says

    This sounds like a cool exhibit! Did you know that it takes 2 years for a baby elephant to fully use their trunk? they are the largest land animal on earth! I’d love to win and take my grandkids to explore my favorite creature :)

  118. Mary Field says

    Elephants are amazing, this museum showing is a proper awareness for these animals. I have boycotted circuses, as animal abuse.

  122. Kelsey Kerns says

    I think elephants are cool because of the way they communicate through earth vibrations!!

  124. Kristen Hallberg says

    They are wonderful mothers. The females come together for births, protection of the young, and help each other as families/herds. These museum shows are wonderful and I look forward to another for the learning exprience.

  126. VestaL says

    Elephants are cool because they show that slow is powerful too! Having the patience to move through life is a great lesson!

  127. Jane Reddy says

    Elephants are such majestic animals and the grace and emotional connection they can teach us is so magical!! I would love to expand my knowlegde of this amazing animal❤️

  131. Pat G says

    The ability of Elephants to feel and express emotions over the loss of a member of their pack, and share knowledge of where to find water in the middle of a drought is truly amazing. They are beautiful creatures that I think are often overlooked by humans.

  133. Jennifer Niblo says

    I was going to mention that they visit the place where their loved ones died years and years later, but then I saw the cutest photo. A baby elephant was standing behind a skinny tree like they were trying to hide. If you’ve seen it, then you know!

  135. Michel Lecuyer says

    Elephants are majestic creatures! Their size and strength is unremarkable. I read a story once about when Burma was being attacked an American military officer used elephants to relocate people to a safer area

  138. Malcolm Richardson says

    I love elephants because there hearts are just as big as there bodies, meaning there so big, but yet they’re so kind, loving, and nurturing.

  139. Kaitlin B. says

    They’re my absolute favorite animals! 🩶🐘 Elephants are considered to be one of the world’s most empathic species.

  140. John says

    I now know that it’s sad and unhealthy, but I remember distinctly the awe of seeing elephants performing at the circus when I was a kid. Their intelligence was really evident even to a kid.

  143. Debi says

    Elephants are amazing! I love watching them use their trunks to feed themselves and cool themselves off with dirt.

  145. Mickey Axtell-Mauck says

    My good friend Maribel LOVES elephants and has several in her home, I’d love to surprise her with tickets to this show. She goes regularly to the zoo to watch the elephants play in the water!

  146. Susan Westhof says

    Elephants are cool because they remind me of dinosaurs!! And they have the cutest babies.

  147. Kelly D. says

    Elephants have.a gestation period of about two years. Maybe that is why they have such a strong family bond to each other.

  150. Kathy Stein says

    Elephants are amazing gentle giants. I love the way my 2 year old grandson mimics how an elephant “talks”.

  151. Kaitlyn Ruff says

    I think elephants are cool because they are so intelligent and caring for the other members of their herds. I would definitely like to learn more about elephant psychology.

  153. Emily Lewis says

    The older and relative females of the herd surround the birthing mother when she is in labor to protect her from predators. So amazing!

  154. Michael Nicholson says

    Elephants are cool because they are so huge yet so gentle. My granddaughter thinks they are the best animal ever.

  155. Emily says

    Elephants are so smart, emotional, and beautiful. They’re strong and powerful yet elegant and graceful. They mourn their dead and protect their young.

  156. Hope Watson says

    Elephants are cool because of the many ways they use their trunks, which are totally cool in and of themselves! Also, their ears!!

  159. Soni Fink says

    Fun facts about elephants:
    -Very intelligent & good communicators
    -Sensie of hearing through feet vibrations
    -Trunks can smell in addition to eating
    -They have sensitive skin & are gentle giants
    I believe they are lucky

  160. Joanne Taylor says

    I love elephants! They are very intelligent and have great memories. They exhibit different emotions depending on situations. They are very social and the females take care of the babies. They feel sadness when another elephant dies. They feel sadness when separated from other elephants. They can remember past relationships with other elephants and humans. Elephants are cool for all of these reasons and I’m sure there are more!

  162. Lisa Meltzer Buchanan says

    Elephants are highly intelligent. They have a matriarchal society. They are an endangered species.

  165. Jaimie Teresa Hayden says

    Elephants represent what many humans consider quality traits: loyalty, social awareness, empathy and affection. As the largest land animal on earth thier participation in the ecosystem is vital to the health of our planet. Humans could learn so much from them.

  166. Mary Smith says

    Elephants are cool because they can remember friends and relatives over long long periods of time. I have seen videos of elephants reunited who were clearly overcome by emotion at finally seeing a loved one again. Of course this is only one reason they’re cool, but the reason that impresses me. They are sentient beings

  168. Mary Smith says

    Elephants are cool because they remember their loved ones over long periods of separation.. i have seen videos of elephants reunited, who were clearly overcome with joy and displays of love.
    They are cool forso many reasons , but this is my favorite.

    PICK ME PICK ME! I love elephants.
    Thank you the article because now i will go even if I do not win.

  169. Ron Nowitz says

    Elephants size amazes me. I’ve watched them roll forest logs much faster than human machinery can.

  176. Brett Moniz says

    Elephants are extraordinary creatures. They can feel the vibrational pattern of rain falling miles upon miles away which I think is just incredible. They consistently show an aptitude for emotional intelligence as well and maintain familial knowledge through generations.

  177. Christine Kissner says

    Elephants are huge and gracious animals you can see not only in zoos but also in movies and on the stage in theaters like in “The Lion King”.

  180. Nancy Hartsfield says

    Would love to take my 9 year old great nephew who lives with us to see this display. His a good kid and really needs this.

  182. Rob Sokol says

    Elephants are thee largest land animals today. social creatures makes them smart, too. strong as an ox.

  184. Niki says

    Elephants are cool because they are intelligent, emotional, big, and look right into your soul.

  186. M DeLaRosa says

    Comparable to human mammals which are right or left handed…. Elephants can be right or left tusked!

  187. Karen Foley says

    Elephants are cool because they are very social and family oriented and caring of their group members from granny down to newborn. They are also very intelligent creatures and benefit much from Granny’s past experience in finding water. Looking forward to seeing the exhibit!

  188. Jon Schroeder says

    To be honest all of the animals in the entire animal kingdom are cool, even us though we have done more to change the ecosystem than most. Elephants have such complex social hierarchies, they’re among the most majestic and they have been around for millions of years!!!

  189. Melissa says

    For many years in our home elephants were known as elefunks. They mostly still are even with teenagers.

  191. Brent Logero says

    Elephants are cool because they are nature’s perfect blend of strength and grace. They possess the strength to uproot trees yet the sensitivity to mourn their dead, the intelligence to remember for decades, and the loyalty to protect their herd at all costs. They are the original symbols of wisdom and grace, moving with quiet purpose across the savannah like living monuments of memory.

  193. Belinda Kromminga says

    Elephants feel emotion and honor dying elephants by paying their respects, herding together to protect their babies, and in Africa I learned they continually grow new teeth! Their teeth gradually move forward in their mouths to the front, where they fall out. Meanwhile in the back of their gum line new teeth form.

  194. Abby Harr says

    Elephants are so cool because they are one of the animals that actually grieve their dead family. They are so intertwined with their family that they grieve. It’s so sad but so cool to know they care so much about each other!

  195. Linda Williams says

    I think that elephants are an amazing creation from God, and love learning more about them.

  196. Lori says

    elephants are one of the smartest animals on earth. they are sensitive. they have feelings. they mour the dead and have a memory greater than ours. they tell their story through their eyes. they deserve to be protected and free.

  197. Shannon L says

    My 5 year old is OBSESSED with elephants. He carries around “Mr. Trunks” everywhere since he was a baby. He has about 10 other elephant stuffing animals. He would LOVE to go see this!