Trunk-Flick-Down

In a rapid movement, the distal portion of the trunk is curled up and around in a whorl and then flicked downward. Sometimes the whorl is omitted and only the flick-down is exhibited. Often associated with an exhale of breath. We do not have enough information on the contexts in which this behavior occurs, although we believe that it may be related to scenting and/or ambivalence.

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

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Ambivalent, Attentive, Social Play, Vigilance

Trunk-Flick-Down

Context: Attentive (1)

A young male appears to be following a trail of someone and Trunk-Flick x 3. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Flick-Down

Context: Attentive (2)

A young male is on the trail of someone, he Sniffs-Ground, engages in a long bout of Flehmen and does 10 Trunk-Flick-Downs. Three are circled. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Flick-Down

Context: Attentive (3)

V-Notch and Matriarch Grumpy Grandma f0412 are resting with others in the shade of a tree. We hear Little E Husky-Cry in the background. Grumpy Grandma f0412 does Trunk-Flick-Down x 2. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Flick-Down

Context: Attentive (4)

Matriarch Grumpy Grandma, f0412, is walking along and seems to suddenly get a whiff of something. We see her pause and as she start to turn back she does a Trunk-Flick-Down. Then she Sniffs-Ground before giving an Ear-Flap-Slide and returning to browse on a bush where V-Notch had been browsing. V-Notch leaves. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Flick-Down

Context: Attentive (5)

As a young male begins to walk he gives an Ear-Flap-Slide and two Trunk-Flick-Downs. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Flick-Down

Context: Attentive (6)

These Trunk-Flick-Downs by Carolyn follow a Greeting between Matriarch, Gina, and Carolyn. After Greeting Carolyn and Gina (mostly Carolyn) went into long series of Cadenced-Rumbles for several minutes. They continued to feed as they called - with the deep reverberating call. Then Gina started to walk and others followed.

As Carolyn walked past the car she gaves a couple of Trunk-Flick-Downs. The calling continued for a long time after and seemed to be related to the arrival of other family members. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Flick-Down

Context: Attentive (7)

Matriarch Grumpy Grandma f0412 does a Trunk-Flick-Down then sniffs plant and puts trunk in mouth as if testing, then give another Trunk-Flick-Down. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Flick-Down

Context: Attentive (8)

In slo-mo, a young male is walking along and engages in Trunk-Flick-Down. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)