ElephantVoices
Donate
  • The Elephant EthogramDiscover elephant behavior in the world’s largest video and sound library
  • Elephant CognitionElephant proverbial memory, intelligence, social learning and complex brains
  • Elephant CommunicationElephant acoustic, visual, tactile and chemical communication
  • Elephant Studies & FieldworkOur field studies in Amboseli, Maasai Mara & Gorongosa & how to ID elephants
  • Elephant Social BehaviorElephant personalities, social networks, male journeys, longevity, societies & culture
  • Elephant ConservationProtecting elephants, promoting coexistence, ending ivory poaching, trophy hunting & captivity
  • Resources
  • News & Views
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Donate

Menu

Elephant Studies & FieldworkElephant ConservationElephant CommunicationElephant CognitionElephant Social BehaviorResourcesThe Elephant EthogramHelp elephantsNews & ViewsAbout Us

Follow us

InstagramFacebookLinkedInVimeoYouTubeSoundCloud

General

DonatePrivacy Policy Contact UsSitemap

Copyright © 2026 ElephantVoices. All Rights Reserved.
ElephantVoices works globally for elephants - registered as a 501(c)(3) charity in California, USA 

  1. Home
  2. Ethogram
  3. Listening

Explore The Behavior

Make another search

Listening

The body and extremities suddenly cease moving and the elephant Stands Head-Raising and Ear-Spreading with Ears-Stiff. The elephant may swing its head from side to side, Head-Swinging, as if to localise a sound. An individual rarely stands stock still except when Listening or Resting, usually some part of the body, ears, trunk, tail is in motion. Listening may be distinguished from Resting, during which an elephant relaxes it's head and ears allowing its head to hang below its shoulders and its ears to flop forward. All age/sex group may be observed Listening.

Media caption

Viajante is acting as if he is in musth. He walks away from mud-splashing Trunk-Dragging. Then, as this clip begins he looks to be Tracking. Then stops momentarily to Listen, standing with a J-Trunk. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Other examples of the behavior