This October, elephants are taking over the ATL! Ferbank’s newest exhibit: ‘The Secret World of Elephants,’ tells the hidden stories of earth’s gentle giants & their importance in our world. Keep scrolling to learn all about ‘The Secret World of Elephants’ at Fernbank.
The Secret World of Elephants
‘The Secret World of Elephants’ teaches viewers all about the unexpected and exciting lives of elephants, including their evolution, anatomy, habitat, cultural influence, threats, conservation, and more.
Cara Martinez, School Programs Manager and Education Specialist for Fernbank, says in a statement,
A keystone species and a cultural symbol, elephants have long been a source of fascination for us. In this exhibit, guests can explore the ways our ancestors depended on ancient elephant relatives and trace that shared journey to modern day, where we study their amazing physiology and explore ways that we still depend on the strength and wisdom of these giants.
And the best part? Learning all about these gentle giants is a hands-on activity at Fernbank!
What can guests expect in ‘The Secret World of Elephants’ exhibit?
‘The Secret World of Elephants’ is more than a boring lesson, though. Guests will get the chance to explore the lives of elephants though a a variety of models, experiences and interactives, including:
- a full-scale woolly mammoth model
- stations to experience elephant vocalizations and the low-frequency sounds elephants use to communicate
- a touchable mammoth tooth cast
- elephant dung model and interactive that helps scientists learn about how much food they consume per day
- life-size models of an adult dwarf elephant and its calf
- a life-size African elephant model with a video projection that reveals the innerworkings of its body
- an ear-flapping activity to demonstrate how elephants regulate their body temperature
- an interactive mammoth tusk model that demonstrates how scientists use isotope “fingerprints” to reveal
how prehistoric mammoths traveled - an activity to explore elephant vocalizations
- a large screen video showing the many ways elephants alter their environment
And on top of that, part of the importance of elephant is cultural and historical… Fernbank doesn’t leave out the way elephants have influenced humanity, either!
Some cultural objects on display in “The Secret World of Elephants” include:
- puppets from Vietnam that depict the local history of the Tru’ng sisters, who rode elephants into battle some 2,000 years ago
- a large figure of the Hindu god Ganesh, who had an elephant’s head and a human-like body
Bobbi Hohmann, VP of Programming and Collections says in a statement,
Elephants are great ambassadors and highlight the intersection between science, nature and culture which are all pillars of Fernbank’s mission. Their fascinating stories connect across topics like evolution, biology, ecosystems, and human culture, deepening our understanding of these incredible animals.
Okay, I’ve gotta check this out! Gimme the details.
Where: Fernbank | 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta
When: October 10th, 2026 – January 3rd, 2027
Tickets:
- General admission tickets are $25.95 for adults
- $24.95 for seniors
- $23.95 for children ages 3-12
- free for children ages 2 and younger
- free for Fernbank Members
Don’t miss out on this MASSIVEly good time! You can learn more and snag your tickets to the museum on Fernbank’s website, here!
See you there, Atlanta!