Squelch
Often repeated wrinkling or ‘scrunching’ up of the trunk and forcing air through it to produce a ‘squelching’ sound. Appears to be done for pleasure or, perhaps, on occasion, to relieve an itchy trunk. Squelching is most often heard when elephants are relaxed (e.g., standing by the side of a waterhole or waiting patiently for other family members to move on).
References: Poole & Granli 2003; Poole 2011; Poole & Granli 2011 [Trunk- Squelching]. (Full reference list)
This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Lone & Object Play, Novel & Idiosyncratic
