Suds law: elephant learns how to shower. A friend learns to ruin it

If you get frustrated by the household shower hog, you are not alone: research suggests such behaviour might also irritate elephants.

- Nicola Davis

Scientists say they have not only discovered an elephant with an astonishing ability to shower with a hose, but spotted another cutting off the flow of water - possibly in a deliberate act of sabotage.

"I actually had a grin on my face all day because I thought it was so funny," said Dr Michael Brecht, a co-author of the study from Humboldt University of Berlin.

Myriad animals from chimpanzees to crows use tools, with elephants also adept at such behaviour.

"Basically it's in the context of body care, so [elephants] grab palm leaves and use them as fly swatters or stuff like that," Brecht said.