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Zoologists in Germany have uncovered a [previously / previous] unknown sensory faculty [in / by] elephants. It explains why the giant beasts' trunks are so [ambidextrous / dexterous] . The scientists found that the whiskers at the [tap / tip] of the trunk are sensitive enough to [defect / detect] the smallest, most delicate objects. The scientists are from the Haptic Intelligence Department at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. They say the incredible sensitivity [at / of] the whiskers compensates for the elephant's [pore / poor] eyesight. The whiskers are essential [on / for] navigating, locating food, and social communication. The researchers say the whiskers are "[smart / smarting]" and give the elephant an [added / add] sense of intelligence.

Scientists believe the [insights / sights] from their research will assist in [advances / advancing] robotics and neuroscience. Study co-author Dr Andrew Schulz said: "Each whisker on elephants' trunks [enacts / acts] as a [tactile / facile] sensory organ." This allows an elephant to pick up something as delicate as a potato chip without breaking [them / it] . The research could help increase dexterity in robots. Dr Lena Kaufmann is excited about [what / how] the research could advance neuroscience. She said her findings "contribute to our understanding of the tactile [perceive / perception] of these fascinating animals". She says the study will increase [our / their] understanding of "neuronal computation" — how the brain's [neurons / neural] process information to think, feel, and [fact / act] .