ETHOGRAM TABLE

The Elephant Ethogram

Lie-Down

An elephant lying down on one side. An individual may engage in Lie-Down in the context of sleep or as an invitation to play. Immature elephants may Lie-Down to sleep at any time of the day or night, while older elephants are more likely to Lie-Down to sleep at night. In the context of play older female calves or juveniles will Lie-Down or Kneel-Down, encouraging younger individuals to climb on top, or Climb-Upon.

References: Lee 1986; Moss 1988; Poole 1996; Poole 1998b; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2004; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Maintenance, Social Play

Lie-Down

Context: Social Play (1)

Three boys are having a game of gentle Sparring. The older male climbs onto a termite mound and Tusks-Ground as he is watched by a younger male. The older male challenges him to Spar but the younger male Backs-Away down the termite mound. The larger male then lowers himself and Lies-Down on his side while the younger two Spar.

The male who had Backed-Away sees the larger male down and goes to engage with him, climbing back up the mound, followed by his play partner. The larger male stands up on a lower level than the younger two. They consider one another for a while and then the older male Tusks-Ground. He lifts a clod of dirt with his tusks, brandishing it at the younger males as he crawls back up the mound. They Retreat-From and he collapses down on his belly and Head-Waggles. He shuffles around a bit on his "knees" before clambering to his feet. He Tusks-Ground again and then backs down the mound with another Head-Waggle. Kneel-Down is often seen when older males try to Spar with younger males. It would seem that they may try to make themselves appear smaller and less threatening. (Amboseli, Kenya)