Scratch-with-Foot

An elephant using a fore- or hind-foot to scratch its own body, typically the genitals or inner legs. All age/sex groups are observed to Scratch-with-Foot. Scratch-with-Foot is very common among newborn infants.

References: Poole & Granli 2021. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Foraging & Comfort Technique

Scratch-with-Foot

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (1)

Little E is 7 days old. Each time he gets an erection or partial erection he uses his foot to try to scratch it. It seems that perhaps it feels strange to him. This behavior is typical of infants. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Scratch-with-Foot

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (2)

Little E is 15 days old and is using his forefoot to scratch an itch. Newborn elephants seem to feel so itchy and are often seen using their feet to scratch an itch. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Scratch-with-Foot

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (3)

Little E is one month old and is using his hindfoot to scratch an itch. Newborn elephants seem to feel so itchy and are often seen using their feet to scratch an itch. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Scratch-with-Foot

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (4)

Walli's newborn female calf is very itchy. She uses her both fore and hindfeet to try to alleviate the problem, almost falling over in the process. Why are babies so itchy? (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Scratch-with-Foot

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (5)

A medium sized male uses his hind foot to scratch an itch on his forefoot. (Amboseli, Kenya)