Supplant

A passive, or non-aggressive, approaching and displacing of another individual, typically, though not necessarily, over a resource.

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

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Submissive

Supplant

Context: Submissive (1)

In the background large adult and tuskless female, gf0003, moves forward as she grazes Supplanting the younger elephants. We see them taking a few steps to move out of her way. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Supplant

Context: Submissive (2)

An adolescent male Solicits-Food Trunk-to-Mouth to another male who is eating smaller items. Behind them large adult female Valente is watching them. Then their interaction is interrupted by Valente who moves forward Supplanting them. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Supplant

Context: Submissive (3)

Adult female, Marcela gf0017 is grazing standing next to her adult daughter, Maya gf0020 who is in the foreground. Marcela turns toward Maya Supplanting her. They continue feeding in a new position, as Maya briefly Suckles her calf. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Supplant

Context: Submissive (4)

A young female is feeding on an Acacia branch. Adult female, f0041, comes through/under the tree toward her. She immediately moves away permitting f0041 to displace her at that spot. It appears that f0041 may have gently Tusked her a couple of times, although it is not possible to be sure. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Supplant

Context: Submissive (5)

An adult female from Grumpy Grandma's family walks toward allomother, Lorato, and Mama Little E. As she approach, Mama Little E displays Head-Raising and Ear-Lifting in a typical Little-Greeting posture.

We can hear a Snort and assume that they also Rumbled. The arriving adult female also Head-Raises and Ear-Lifts after Mama Little E. They stand side-by-side, but it is also clear that this is a Supplant. The older female came very purposefully and displaced Mama Little E from the bush where she was browsing.

As this interaction goes on allomother, Lorato, backs up and looks after Little E. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Supplant

Context: Submissive (6)

An elephant family is resting in the shade of a tree during the heat of the day. A large male moves through the group to Rub on a tree and Supplants an adult female, who then goes to stand in the sun. Notice the Ear-Flap he uses signaling his intention to displace her. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Supplant

Context: Submissive (7)

An aggregation of elephants is dusting. We see f0470 raise her head and ears and Look-Back as f0412 Advance-Toward her. f0470 Retreat-From. f0412 Supplants her and takes her place. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Supplant

Context: Submissive (8)

Two young males are together and we are guessing they have been for a while and that they are friends. After some time the slightly larger one walks over to the smaller one, who is feeding on a small acacia bush. He Solicit-Food by putting his trunk into the other’s mouth Then he begins to feed next to the smaller male.

We interpret this behaviour as being a gentle way of saying, "I want what you are eating". The smaller one departs and the larger male stays eating the bush in his spot. As the smaller one leaves the larger one gently Tail-Swats him - in a Social-Rubbing kind of way. As if to say, "no hard feelings, I hope". No aggression at all. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)