Why do African Elephants have wrinkles?

Beating the heat: An elephant's wrinkles could be called wisdom lines, but not just for vanity's sake. Unlike some mammals, elephants don't sweat, so the creature's signature cracks and crevices hold mud and water to keep them hydrated and regulate their temperature.

This fissured skin surface retains five to 10 times more water than a smooth surface, which helps to keep the elephant cool as the moisture (from rain or mud) evaporates from the cracks. Unsurprisingly, Asian elephants have smoother skin than their African cousins, as they live in wetter environments and have less trouble keeping cool.