Snort

A short (typically less than a second in duration), sharp, noisy, broadband sound produced by purposefully blowing air through the trunk. Elephants may Snort when they are surprised or annoyed by something, or indignant about something another has done, or during intense social excitement. In these contexts Snorts may be less explosive Trumpets, which are also given in similar contexts. Elephants may also Snort apparently to alert other members of their group to a new situation.

A Snort is audibly distinguishable from the more common Blow or Sneeze (blowing, sneezing, wheezing, and coughing sounds) that appears to be made for the purpose of clearing the nasal passages. A Snort sounds sharper and more purposeful than a Blow and may also be distinguished by context.

Humans snort in similar circumstances.

According to the Cambridge English Dictionary a Snort is an explosive sound made by forcing air up or down the nose; to suddenly express strong feelings of anger, disapproval, or disagreement. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary adds that a snort is used to express scorn, anger, indignation, derision, incredulity or surprise.

References: Berg 1983; Leong et al 2003; Stoeger-Horwath et al 2007; Poole 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Affiliative, Avoidance, Conflict & Confrontation, Social Play, Submissive

Snort

Context: Submissive (1)

A family group of elephants led by matriarch, Gina, is at a salt lick. There is some competition for the best spots and Gina has just Advanced-Toward a young male who Retreats-From. In this clip Gina has moved some distance away and the young male has returned to the salt lick and is standing eating minerals in the left foreground with a young female out of view next to him.

Another young female walks up behind him coming from the right. The female standing next to him turns to acknowledge/greet her with a Head-Shake and a Snort before walking away. The approaching female reaches out to the male touching his genitals (Trunk-to-Genitals). The young male appears to think he may be threatened and he Retreats-From. When he turns to see who it was and realizes it was not Gina, he Advances-Toward her and she Retreats-From. He goes back to eating minerals.

It is not completely clear whether the Head-Shaking was in greeting or in annoyance that the approaching female disturbed her accessing of minerals, but the posture of both female appears friendly. We read it as a supplant. (Masai Mara, Kenya)