All the Different Ways Elephants Play (VIDEO)

We've found the antidote to a bad day—and it's not a pint of Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ben & Jerry's. It's watching baby and adult elephants roughhouse. 

In this adorable segment for National Geographic, elephant conservationist Joyce Poole explains exactly how elephants use body language to engage each other in play. Poole mentions that elephants perform a "head-waggle" to indicate they are ready to play, and that an elephant's "floppy movements" show that he is in no way threatening you, but inviting you to play around.

Unfortunately, it is not always all fun and games for elephants. Thanks to rampant ivory poaching on the continent of Africa, elephants are being slaughtered every day. 

According to the African Conservancy, five to 10 million elephants existed in Africa in 1930. Now, less than one percent of them remain—an estimated total of 450,000. This places them firmly on the list of endangered species.

Related stories on TakePart:

• Elephant Poaching in Africa: China’s Lust for Ivory Spurs a Bloodbath

• 550 Elephants. 1 Bloody Civil War. How Did They Survive?

• Madness in the Village of Elephants: 26 Pachyderms Slaughtered