Trunk-Curl

A male in musth curling and uncurling the distal portion of the trunk in a sinuous, snake-like motion usually while trunk is draped over a tusk or, alternatively, while lifting the head up and, with an open mouth, reaching with a curled trunk to rub across the temporal glands and forehead.

References: Poole 1982: 51 [Trunk to Head], illustration 4.6; Poole 1987a, 1996: 128 illustrations: 60 & 63; Kahl & Armstrong, 2002; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

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

Trunk-Curl

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (1)

Little Male Advances-Toward our vehicle in a threatening manner. He does Trunk-Curl on his right and then left tusk before pausing to Sniff-Urine and then Contemplate. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Curl

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (3)

As part of a musth display that is often associated with Mud-Splashing, Pascal engages in Ear-Waving, Tusk-Ground, and Trunk-Curling. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Curl

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (4)

Pascal is in full musth. He stops to mud-splash and engages in a musth display, Trunk-Curling, Musth-Rumbling, Ear-Waving. He walks off Musth-Rumbles and Ear-Waves and engages in another bout of Trunk-Curling before disappearing from view. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Curl

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (5)

Pascal is in full musth and has spent the last 15 minutes engaging in various musth displays. Now he walks toward us in a Casual-Stance. Note his stiff-legged Foot-Scuff. He pauses at the water's edge and engages in Trunk-Curl. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Curl

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (6)

Pascal is in full musth. He is at a mud wallow and has been engaging in bouts of Trunk-Curling. (Amboseli, Kenya)