Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

A single slight dipping and raising movement of the head, combined with a reaching out and touching of the ground with the trunk. This display is observed in all age/sex groups is typically seen when an elephant is confronting a threat.

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

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Head-Dip, Look-At, Trunk-Toward and occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Conflict & Confrontation

Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (1)

G7 threatens us as he Advances-Toward us. He Stands-Tall and does a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (2)

Mwana Nzo has just moved up smartly to sniff the scent of our tire tracks. She sniffs with a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground and then Stands-Tall looking at Kate’s/Greg’s car and then decides, correctly, that it is us (filmed from our perspective). She turns on us Standing-Tall and then begins a what looks like a Charge but is only a few steps in a Bow-Neck-Advance with a couple of Head-Dip-Touch-Ground movements and a Kick-Dust. She reconsiders and begins Backing-Away and Touches-Ground. She turns and leads a Full-Retreat and adopts the Rear-Guard position, Standing-Tall and turning to Look-Back. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (3)

Mwana Nzo has just moved up smartly to sniff the scent of our tire tracks. She sniffs with a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground and then Stands-Tall looking at Kate’s/Greg’s car (their perspective) and then decides, correctly, that it is us. She turns on us Standing-Tall and then begins a what looks like a Charge but is only a few steps in a Bow-Neck-Advance with a couple of Head-Dip-Touch-Ground movements and a Kick-Dust. She reconsiders and begins Backing-Away and Touch-Ground. She turns and leads a Full-Retreat and adopts the Rear-Guard, Standing-Tall and turning to Look-Back. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (4)

gm0016 suddenly gets spooked by the presence of the vehicle and as he walks away he Ear-Spreads and does a couple of Head-Dip-Touch-Ground movements. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (5)

G7 threatens us as he Advances-Toward us. He Stands-Tall and does a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (6)

Ruby's 1 year old male calf Advance-Toward the vehicle. He does a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground with a Trunk-Drag, and then Kicks-Dust x 2 and Stands-Tall, as if practicing his displays. It is interesting that he has acquired these behaviors at such a young age. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (7)

A family of elephants with an infant visits Naboisho Conservancy from the Pardamat Hills. Since they are strangers and live in an unprotected area, they are wary of people. Their apprehension can be seen in their defensive behavior.

The clip begins with two of the elephants, a juvenile female (left) and an adult female(center) adopting a Periscope-Stance. The juvenile female Head-Shakes. An adolescent female (right) Head-Dip-Touch-Ground x 2 as she follows the others. The camera pans to the left as the adult female and mother of the infant turns toward the vehicle and Head-Dip-Touch-Ground. They walk on. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Head-Dip-Touch-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (8)

Musth male, Rui, stands Listening and then Advances-Toward us while Ear-Spreading. He walks to a termite mound to Attain-Higher-Ground and Stands-Tall. Notice how he Head-Dip-Touch-Ground slightly before going up the mound. On the mound he stands Foot-Lifting before he does another Head-Dip-Touch-Ground and goes back off the mound. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)