Baby elephants don't learn to control their trunks until they’re about a year old.

The claim that baby elephants don't learn to control their trunks until they are about a year old can be broken down into two main components: the timeline of trunk control development and the degree of control at various ages. Evidence indicates that elephant calves start experimenting with their trunks as early as 6 to 8 months old, using them to eat and drink, but their motor skills are not fully developed at this stage.

By around one year of age, they achieve much better control, approaching the dexterity seen in adult elephants. This developmental timeline is supported by observations and videos showing young elephants fumbling with their trunks before mastering precise movements. The complexity of the trunk, with over 50,000 muscle units, makes this a challenging skill to acquire.

While some sources are anecdotal or community discussions (Reddit), the Upworthy article cites developmental milestones consistent with expert observations. The claim is mostly accurate but simplified; trunk use begins before one year but full control is typically reached around that age. There is no strong contradictory evidence disputing this timeline, though exact ages may vary slightly among individuals and species.

The verdict reflects that the claim captures the general developmental pattern but omits the gradual learning process starting earlier than one year.