Elephants' tusks, essentially, are their TEETH. They are long, curved ivory structures that protrude from the upper jaw of an elephant. Tusks are used for a variety of purposes, such as digging for food, defending against predators, and carrying objects. They are also used in social interactions, such as dominance displays and courtship rituals. Elephants' tusks are made of dentine, which is similar to human TEETH, and are constantly growing throughout their lives.