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.
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.
Linda McCoy says
Elephants are cool because they are so protective of each other and have strong family bonds.
Hilary Bak says
They are such friendly giants!
David says
They are big but friendly.
Ashley Byrd says
Elephants are amazing because of their size and grace. Their loyalty, love & bonds for one another is truly remarkable.
Irene Baca says
would love to win this🐘
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.
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.
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.
Victoria says
they are very family oriented
Briana says
I love that they think humans are cute.
Lynn R says
Elephants are emotionally rich and sophisticated. And they operate on a matriarchy, which I think is VERY logical!
Christine Buckler says
Elephants are gentle giants!
Laurie Claunch says
Just looking at an elephant brings a smile to your face. They are the perfect combination of cute and weird.
BETHANY WEBB says
Elephants have always been one of my favorites!!! Such gentle creatures with so much power!! Amazing!! This would make my day.
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.
Anna says
herds are lead by a female