Touch-Self

Self-directed touching of the face (mouth, ear, trunk, tusk or temporal gland) or chest, with the fingers or tip of the trunk. Very often in the context of an interaction with another elephant, but may be seen in any context where an elephant appears uneasy or stressed. Likely analogous to the way we might scratch our head or rub our face when feeling socially or otherwise uncomfortable or unsure.

References: Kühme 1961; Poole 1999a; Poole & Granli 2003; Kahl & Armstrong 2000 [Touch-Face]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Affiliative, Ambivalent, Conflict & Confrontation, Social Play, Vigilance

Touch-Self

Context: Vigilance (1)

The entire family has just threatened us with a Group-Advance. Now Corojosa is acting Vigilant and Standing-Guard. After much contemplation, Corajosa Head-Shakes and Advances-Toward us and then Stands-Tall facing and considering us. She Touch-Self both before and after the advance as she considered what to do. Eventually she decides to leave initiating a group departure. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Touch-Self

Context: Vigilance (2)

Adult male gm0016 is feeling apprehensive about us and is moving away with Ears-Stiff, Tail-Raised and a J-Trunk. He uses his trunk to Touch-Self. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Touch-Self

Context: Vigilance (3)

Young male gm0009 has a broken right hind leg. He is apprehensive about our presence and moves away. He pauses to confront us with Ears-Spread and Ears-Stiff and begins Head-Swinging. As he begins to move away again he Touch-Self. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Touch-Self

Context: Vigilance (4)

Aloisio had been confronting us with Ears-Spread for some time. Then he moved to higher ground (Attain-Higher-Ground) so that he could look down on us. As he stands on the bank contemplating us he Touch-Self x 2. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Touch-Self

Context: Vigilance (5)

We arrive at an open pan to find Aloisio with large adult female and matriarch, gf0070, and part of her family. The group is acting vigilant. A young female, perhaps gf0070's daughter, moves toward her with Chin-Up and Ears-Stiff and Touch-Self. In the foreground Aloisio, too, Touch-Self. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Touch-Self

Context: Vigilance (6)

A little family group is apprehensive about the presence of the vehicle. They exhibit Periscope-Trunk and then the larger elephant Touch-Self. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)