Rump-Present

An elephant backing toward another and presenting his or her rump for testing. Most typically females are observed to Rump-Present to males, but males may occasionally Rump-Present to other males during bouts of Sparring. Females of all ages except infants are observed to Rump-Present.

References: Poole 1987b; Poole & Moss 1989; Poole 1999a; Kahl & Armstrong 2002; Poole & Granli 2003. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Courtship, Social Play, Submissive

Rump-Present

Context: Social Play (1)

Two males are Sparring gently, the one on the right older than the one on the left. Something happens between them - it appears that the older does something aggressive, and the smaller one almost spins around and Rump-Presents to him, backing into him a couple of times. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Rump-Present

Context: Social Play (2)

Two adolescent males are engaged in a rough bout of Sparring in which one forces the other back. The loser turns away and Rump-Presents while the winner Reaches-Over his back. Notice that the loser engages in Kick-Back to try to rid himself of the other male. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Rump-Present

Context: Social Play (3)

Two males are Sparring - gm0009 with a broken leg is on the right and a slightly smaller male on the left. Gm0009 is forced back but then Pushes back against the other male. It gets rough and then gm0009 turns and Rump-Present and Tail-Swats allowing the smaller male to touch him Trunk-to-Genitals. The Trunk-to-Genitals seems to be a Conciliatory gesture. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Rump-Present

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (1)

As the clip starts we see an adult female starting to walk into center frame. Then a young male walks into frame from the left. As the young male approaches the female turns quickly to Rump-Present to him and he reaches Trunk-to-Genitals to test her. As a second female walks into frame we can see the male performing Flehmen. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Rump-Present

Context: Courtship (1)

The clip starts with Pascal in musth with a Penis-Erection closely following estrous female Amparo. She abruptly stops and Rump-Presents, standing with her body close to him. There is the slow moving calm that is typical of behavior immediately prior to a Mating between a high ranking, experienced musth male and an experienced adult female. Amparo stands for him Waiting and Pascal, too, Waits. Often this is when Driving occurs. Pascal has an erection which twitches to a full erection. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Rump-Present

Context: Submissive (1)

Ten year old Qaskazi joins matriarch Qoral and her infant at a mud wallow. Qaskasi is very eager to take care of the infant and Qoral doesn't want her help. Qaskazi has been bothering her and does so again here. She walks up and then turns to Rump-Present and then as if to get Qoral's attention begins Tail-Swatting her. Having watched her do this over the course of the morning and knowing the drama that takes place later, I think this is a bit like 'hey, hey, I am here, can't I please look after the baby, please, pretty please.' (Amboseli, Kenya)