Grasp-Tusk

Using the trunk to grasp the tusk of another. Primarily observed during Sparring or Social Play between two males, but calves may be observed to grasp their mother’s tusks.

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

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

Grasp-Tusk

Context: Social Play (1)

An infant grasps its mother's tusk. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Grasp-Tusk

Context: Social Play (2)

Two males are playing, one in a water hole and one standing on the bank. The male on the bank looks a little skeptical. The male in the water Blows-Bubbles and then raises his head up, splashes his trunk down and then with his head and trunk raised out of the water he grasps the tusk of the other male and gives a little Tusking movement. Then he collapses back into the water with a Splash-Submerge. The male on the bank walks off. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)