Sniff-Ground

Placing the tip of the trunk over or on the ground and sniffing; presumably often for the purpose of assessing physical or sexual condition or individual identity in urine soaked soil. All age/sex groups Sniff-Ground, although males engage in this behavior more frequently than do females.

References: Poole & Moss 1989; Poole & Granli 2011 [Test-Urine]. (Full reference list)

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

Sniff-Ground

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (1)

Pascal has been Guarding Qadija in estrus. They were at this mud-wallow for quite some time, Pascal standing and dribbling at this spot and Qadija Urinated nearby. Upendo is the next highest ranking male and has been keeping his distance from Pascal. Once they depart he comes in to sniff where they have been. Notice how long he takes carefully sniffing all around and performing Flehmen. He also engages in quite a few trunk-Flick-Down movements. (Amboseli, Kenya)