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Lots of sites warn you not to ride elephants as they are often treated poorly and don't have freedom (1,2).

But these sites also mention that it’s bad for the back of an elephant. With some elephants weighing 4,000kg (3), it’s hard to believe that a human weighing 2% of that weight can do any damage to it.

They aren't built for any heavy lifting (4). But I feel like it goes for any animal that they would be able to carry an additional 2% on their backs.

So how come elephants are so vulnerable to carrying stuff on their backs?

Laurel
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SirDuckduck
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    In your first and second resource it is mentioned "Instead of smooth, round spinal disks, elephants have sharp bony protrusions that extend upwards from their spine," Carol Buckley, president of Elephant Aid International, said. "These bony protrusions and the tissue protecting them are vulnerable to weight and pressure coming from above." Isn't this already an answer to your question or do you not trust this statement or is this still not sufficient to convince you? – Maxim Apr 19 '19 at 12:45
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    @Maxim They make saddles for elephants, assuming a correct saddle is used both the elephants spine and the riders backside should be protected. – James Jenkins Apr 19 '19 at 12:54
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    @Maxim I do not entirely trust the statement, as its quite hard to research an elephant (they don't fit in an MRI). And i'm specifically asking about the relative small weight of a human. – SirDuckduck Apr 19 '19 at 13:20
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    You don't need an MRI to study an elephant, or any other creature. You can simply perform autopsies (or even vivisection, though I'd hope that is no longer practiced). –  Apr 19 '19 at 20:29
  • @HorusKol I know this is pedantic, but technically it's a necropsy not an autopsy, when performed on a non-human animal. – Scott Baker Apr 19 '19 at 21:59
  • 2% on your back is not a lot, but if you have to carry it all day long, you will feel it. Try to walk all day with a full backpack for example. – Taladris Apr 20 '19 at 04:49
  • @Taladris A full backpack is closer to 6~8 kilos. While 2% for a human is less then 2 kilos. Which is about the weight of my jacket (with maybe some stuff in the pockets), which I wear a whole day with ease. – SirDuckduck May 03 '19 at 09:32

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