How do elephants use branches as tools?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Elephants utilize branches as tools primarily to assist with grooming. By holding branches with their trunks, they are able to scratch themselves in areas that are otherwise unreachable by their trunk or tail. Additionally, elephants may wield large branches as part of threat displays, sometimes throwing these objects to assert themselves.1