The elephant,s trunk is not just a large nose or upper lip. It's an essential and unique feature that serves many purposes for this animal. For one, it is used to make many kinds of sounds. With its trunk, the elephant can communicate anger, fear, or happiness. The trunk is also used as if it were a kind of hand. At the end of the trunk are two muscles shaped like fingers. These muscles can pick up food and water and carry them to the elephant's mouth. Elephants use their trunks to take dust baths, too, throwing the dust over their backs. If an elephant,s trunk is seriously injured, the elephant may die. Without its trunk,it has great difficulty getting enough to eat.