Check out that elephant! What animal might be its relative? Something big and gray, like a rhino? Something with long tusks, like a walrus? How about an animal with big feet, like a hippo?

Each of these animals has features in common with elephants. But none of them are actually an elephant’s close relative. It took scientists decades of detective work to identify one of elephants’ closest cousins. Its identity will likely surprise you!

Check out that elephant! What animal might be its relative? Something big and gray? Maybe a rhino? Something with long tusks? Like a walrus? How about an animal with big feet? For example, a hippo?

These animals all have things in common with elephants. But none of them are actually an elephant’s close relative. It took scientists years of detective work. But they finally found one of elephants’ closest cousins. It will likely surprise you!

All land animals evolved from a common ancestor that lived 600 million years ago. Over many generations, animals spread into new environments. Their bodies and behaviors gradually changed to better fit their new homes. How? Certain inherited traits helped animals survive long enough to reproduce. Then these traits were passed to offspring. This process continued over time. When two related groups grew so different they could no longer have offspring, scientists considered them to be different species.

People make family trees to track relationships between relatives. Scientists think about animal relationships in a similar way. But when shared ancestors lived a long time ago, “figuring out who is related to whom is a little iffy,” says Erik Seiffert. He’s one of the scientists investigating how elephants are related to other animals.

For clues, scientists like Seiffert can study living animals. Just like siblings might have similar eye or hair color, animal species that are closely related usually have traits in common.

All land animals evolved from a common relative. This relative lived 600 million years ago. Animals spread into new places. Their bodies and behaviors slowly change. That allows them to better live in their new homes. How? They develop certain inherited traits. These features help the animals survive. They pass these traits to their young. Over time, groups with different traits grow apart. They can no longer reproduce. They become different species. 

People make family trees. This helps them trace their relatives. Scientists think about animal families in a similar way. But shared ancestors often lived a long time ago. That means “figuring out who is related to whom is a little iffy,” says Erik Seiffert. He’s one of the scientists who studied how elephants are related to other animals.

Seiffert looked to living animals for clues. Closely related animal species usually have traits in common. It’s like how brothers and sisters might have similar eye or hair color.

The answer: A manatee!

“They don’t look much like each other,” says Ross MacPhee. He’s a scientist who recently curated an exhibit on elephants at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Even though it’s not obvious, elephants and manatees share some important traits. Both have thick gray skin for protection, large back teeth for chewing grasses, and upper lips that grasp things.

Scientists suspected that the two animals inherited these traits from the same ancestor—but they didn’t have proof. More detective work was needed.

The answer: A manatee!

“They don’t look much like each other,” says Ross MacPhee. He’s a scientist at the American Museum of Natural History. It’s in New York City. He recently organized an exhibit on elephants.

Elephants and manatees share some important traits. Both have thick gray skin for protection. They have large back teeth for chewing grasses. And they use their upper lips to grasp things.

Scientists think the two animals got these traits from the same relative. But they didn’t have proof. More detective work was needed.