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: 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)