Coo-Rumble

A soft, flat, tonal rumble of medium duration (~2.5-4.5 seconds) and low pitch, given by adult or juvenile females in the context of caring for an infant or young calf. There are two broad behavioral contexts in which females call in this manner to a calf with whom they are in close proximity. One is when they greet, touch, suckle or generally "coo over" a calf in the absence of an expression of distress by the calf. Such calling is directed toward infants, rather than older calves, and is especially frequent when there is a newborn in the family. Juvenile females may also call in this manner when touching infants and when they encourage infants to Comfort-Suckle from them. Such touching induces calves to respond with a rumble (see As-Touched-Rumble).

The other context is when adult or juvenile females reassure a calf following an event that has caused the calf to give some form of distress call. Husky-Cries, Begging-Rumbles, Separated-Rumbles, Baroo-Rumbles, Alarm-Trumpets, Cries and Roars all elicit this type of calling by family members. We refer to these calls collectively as Coo-Rumbles.

References: Poole 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Birth, Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Calf Reassurance & Protection

Coo-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (1)

Little E is 5 days old and is Suckling. His mother, Mama Little E has put her foreleg forward to adopting a Suckle-Stance. As he is Suckling she reaches her trunk and touches under his mouth (Trunk-to-Mouth) and gives a Coo-Rumble. Little E is getting the hang of Suckling, but must lift a foreleg to reach her nipple. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Coo-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (2)

Little E is standing under his mother. She must hear the allomothers, Lorato and V-Notch, coming because she suddenly reverses and reaches back toward Little E as both arrive. One of the allomothers reaches to touch Little E Trunk-to-Mouth moving her trunk purposefully upward as if to indicate to him where to Suckle - he does. As she touches him she gives a Coo-Rumble. There is some kind of competition between the three females for access to Little E. And having got his attention his mother moves forward. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Coo-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (3)

Little E is a week old and is with his mother. He is trying to Suckle and, as he begins his mother gives a Coo-Rumble to him. Before he begins to Suckle he moves his lips back and forth across her nipple as if he enjoys the sensation. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)