Blow-Bubbles

An elephant submerging its trunk or mouth under water and purposefully and/or repeatedly blowing bubbles. Newborn infants may engage in this activity during their first experience with water, while older individuals may Blow-Bubbles during social play. 

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

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Novel & Idiosyncratic, Social Play

Blow-Bubbles

Context: Social Play (1)

Two males are playing, one in a water hole and one standing on the bank. The male on the bank looks a little skeptical. The male in the water Blows-Bubbles and then raises his head up, splashes his trunk down and then with his head and trunk raised out of the water he grasps the tusk of the other male and gives a little Tusking movement. Then he collapses back into the water with a Splash-Submerge. The male on the bank walks off. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)