Rapid-Ear-Flapping

Flapping the ears vigorously and rapidly in a raised position. Rapid-Ear-Flapping is usually associated with Head-Raising and Ear-Folding. This behavior is almost always seen in the context of greeting or bonding interactions that involve chorused calling such as Bonding-Ceremonies, Coalitions, High-Fiving, End-Zone-Dance, Female-Choring, Greeting-Ceremonies, Mating-Pandemoniums. In Coalition Building and Advertisement & Attraction contexts this behavior is observed among adult, adolescent and juvenile females; In Affiliative contexts female calves also participate.

References: Moss 1981; Poole 1982: 37, 50; Moss 1988; Poole et al 1988; Poole 1998; Poole & Granli 2003; Payne, 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Affiliative, Birth, Coalition Building, Courtship

Rapid-Ear-Flapping

Context: Affiliative (1)

Two groups that have been in the vicinity of one another come together. Matriarch gf0070 adopted a Waiting posture, her Chin-Out expectant as the other family approaches. As this clip begins they come closer and she moves towards them and they Greet. We can see Rapid-Ear-Flapping (that continues for most of the clip), Ear-Folding, Trunk-to-Mouth and Trunk-to-Genitals. This is a Greeting-Ceremony, although based on their behavior we suspect that they are from the same clan but not the same family or close bond-group. There is no audio. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Rapid-Ear-Flapping

Context: Affiliative (2)

Pat Derby, Ruby and others come together with a Purposeful-Walk. As they approach one another we hear deep Greeting-Rumbles and they begin Rapid-Ear-Flapping. A young female opens her mouth (Mouth-Open) and gives a loud Social Trumpet. Ruby (tuskless) is streaming with Temporin. The Rumbling continued as they move rapidly forward with Pat Derby in the lead. Pat Derby gives a loud Ear-Slap and as she turns we see that she, too, is streaming with Temporin.

As they come closer to the camera we hear more and very clear Greeting-Rumbles. Ruby pauses to Urinate and we see that in addition to Temporin she has Ear-Secretion. Pat Derby comes forward and stops to Listen, then she rumbles really loudly as if in response to someone she can hear. Ruby listens too and I think I heard a distant call - several respond. All get Temporin even the calves though the adult females are really streaming.

A minute later they meet the others and there is a loud exchange but the filmmakers had car difficulties. We hear roaring and a social trumpet.We see later that the Greeting-Ceremony that the filmmakers missed is with Gina f0263 and others. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Rapid-Ear-Flapping

Context: Affiliative (3)

Gina (right) and Carolyn (left) are engaged in a Greeting. Unfortunately the beginning is cut off but Gina is rumbling and Carolyn gives loud throaty Greeting-Rumble type response with an Open-Mouth. They are Rapid-Ear-Flapping. They reach out with a Reciprocal-Trunk-to-Mouth. Gina continues to reach toward Carolyn who Orients-Away while still Rumbling and Rapid-Ear-Flapping. Carolyn Kick-Dust as she turns. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Rapid-Ear-Flapping

Context: Affiliative (4)

Little E is 8 days old. He is under the feet of his mother and allomothers on the left. Latino has been off somewhere else and suddenly returns. She Sashays in from the bushes Rapid-Ear-Flapping and Greeting-Rumbling as she approaches the others. Lorato and another display Tail-Raising and Lorato Backs-Toward Latino. Lorato and Grumpy Grandma (in the foreground) also display Rapid-Ear-Flapping. The second section is a close-up of the same behavior. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)