Rump-Present

An elephant backing toward another and presenting his or her rump for testing. Most typically females are observed to Rump-Present to males, but males may occasionally Rump-Present to other males during bouts of Sparring. Females of all ages except infants are observed to Rump-Present.

References: Poole 1987b; Poole & Moss 1989; Poole 1999a; Kahl & Armstrong 2002; Poole & Granli 2003. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Courtship, Social Play, Submissive

Rump-Present

Context: Social Play (1)

Two males are Sparring gently, the one on the right older than the one on the left. Something happens between them - it appears that the older does something aggressive, and the smaller one almost spins around and Rump-Presents to him, backing into him a couple of times. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Rump-Present

Context: Social Play (2)

Two adolescent males are engaged in a rough bout of Sparring in which one forces the other back. The loser turns away and Rump-Presents while the winner Reaches-Over his back. Notice that the loser engages in Kick-Back to try to rid himself of the other male. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Rump-Present

Context: Social Play (3)

Two males are Sparring - gm0009 with a broken leg is on the right and a slightly smaller male on the left. Gm0009 is forced back but then Pushes back against the other male. It gets rough and then gm0009 turns and Rump-Present and Tail-Swats allowing the smaller male to touch him Trunk-to-Genitals. The Trunk-to-Genitals seems to be a Conciliatory gesture. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)