Self-directed touching of the face (mouth, ear, trunk, tusk or temporal gland) or chest, with the fingers or tip of the trunk. Very often in the context of an interaction with another elephant, but may be seen in any context where an elephant appears uneasy or stressed. Likely analogous to the way we might scratch our head or rub our face when feeling socially or otherwise uncomfortable or unsure.
The entire family has just threatened us with a Group-Advance. Now Corojosa is acting Vigilant and Standing-Guard. After much contemplation, Corajosa Head-Shakes and Advances-Toward us and then Stands-Tall facing and considering us. She Touch-Self both before and after the advance as she considered what to do. Eventually she decides to leave initiating a group departure. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)
