Periscope-Trunk

Lifting and holding the trunk up in an S-shape. This posture is used in many contexts: Most well-known is the apparent adoption of this stance to detect scents carried on the wind, including, for instance, rain or predators. In this Attentive context Periscope-Trunk is particularly used when meeting strangers, potential dangers or if additional information is required. The assumption has long been that this is a form of sniffing (and originally referred to as Periscope-Sniffing), though we believe that it is also a signal - as in a ‘pay attention’ or ‘heads up.’

An exaggerated form of Periscope-Trunk referred to as a Trunk-Sweep is further used in Defensive situations as lead individuals appear to use the sweeping movement to galvanise members of their group into a Coalition to confront a threat. The adoption of Periscope-Trunk is also observed in Aggressive/Submissive, Social Play or other expectant situations, as an individual pauses with the trunk up in a periscope or S-shape waiting for a partner's next move. In this context it was first named ‘Distant-Frontal-Attitude’.

As two individuals approach one another with intent to Spar, or intent to Duel, one or both may raise the trunk above the head and curl the tip toward the other individual. In a Calf Nutrition & Weaning context, calves adopt this posture as they approach their mothers to Solicit-Suckling. This behavior is observed in all age sex groups except Calf Nutrition & Weaning in which restricted to infants, calves and juveniles.

References: Kühme 1961; Kühme 1963 [Distant- Frontal-Attitude]; Rasmussen & Schulte 1998; Poole 1987b; Poole, 1996: 134; Payne 1998; Rasmussen 1998; Poole 1999a; Rasmussen 1999a Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2004 [Distant-Frontal-Attitude & Periscope-Sniff]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Attentive, Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Coalition Building, Social Play, Submissive, Vigilance

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (1)

A young male with snare damage on his trunk adopts a Periscope-Trunk as he monitors us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (2)

Young male gm0009, with the lame hind leg, is Standing-Tall, Ear-Spreading, and adopts Periscope-Trunk as he responds to our vehicle. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (3)

After a very serious Charge by Ambuscadora, her family proceeds to the flood plain. From there some of them continue acting vigilant and adopt Periscope-Trunk. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (4)

In respond to our presence, Vigilante adopts Periscopes-Trunk. As if in contagion others belonging to the V family, do too as they walk toward and coalesce (Bunch) around matriarch, Valda in a nice demonstration that Valda is the matriarch. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (5)

Calves belonging to gf0070 family adopt Periscope-Trunk as the Bat Hawk flies overhead. While they may be trying to sniff the scent of the plane their behavior is clearly NOT based on a scent that they have all received since wind does not typically blow downward from directly above. Equally, this may be an example of elephants using Periscope-Trunk to signal to one another a kind of "Heads-Up" - in other words using the trunk to reference something. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (6)

Young adult male, gm0006, adopts Periscope-Trunk as he walks our direction. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (7)

Matriarch, Provovadora, gf0012, and her calves monitor our presence with Periscope-Trunks. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (8)

A young male adopts Periscope-Trunk. The clip is in slo-mo - letting us better contemplate what the male possibly is thinking before using his trunk to assess the situation. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (9)

A group of young males are monitoring our presence and adopt Periscope-Trunk. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (10)

After a long interaction with us, including a Group-Advance, the Mabenzi family proceed to the flood plain in a Procession. They are still acting vigilant and some adopt Periscope-Trunk. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (11)

A 1.5 year old calf is concerned by the filmmakers presence and adopts a Periscope-Trunk. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (12)

An aggregation is dusting in the evening light. A calf initiates the adoption of a Periscope-Trunk. f0470 sees the calf's posture and steps forward and also adopts a Periscope-Trunk. As she does we can see the calf behind Periscope-Trunk again. They are pointing in the direction of the filmmakers. Contagions or did they both pick up a scent at the same time? (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (13)

The Mabenzi family are walking along; many displaying Periscope-Trunk and J-Trunk. They have most likely caught our scent. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (14)

The V family members are aware of the vehicle and are engaged in Periscope-Trunk one after the other. One can see that one-tusk female Vigilante (gf0064), tuskless matriarch, Valda (gf0068) and a young male behind all have trunk tips that have been severed or damaged by snares. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (15)

Members of a family of elephants adopt Periscope-Trunk in response to the presence of the vehicle. Note the elephant on the left with very chopped off trunk from a snare. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (16)

Female gf0225 and other members of her family adopt Periscope-Trunk in response to the presence of the vehicle. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (17)

During the first days we were back in Amboseli after many years away we were strangers to the elephants. We were also among one of the few vehicles permitted to drive off-track to do our research. The elephants were surprised and somewhat concerned at our presence in places they didn't expect to find strangers and showed this by reaching their Trunk-Toward us and by exhibiting Periscope-Trunk.

As the days went by they became used to our presence and no longer reacted in this way. We believe that this demonstrative "sniffing" is also used as a signal for others to pay attention. Notice how the elephants close to one another or within sight of one another raise their trunks together or one right after the other. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Periscope-Trunk

Context: Vigilance (18)

Qasima and part of her family are by the KH4 water hole when a vehicle (off road photographer) departs. Because this vehicle is off-road and she is not used to them being there, she is suspicious. She Listens to the vehicle depart and follows where it is going by Head-Swinging (to help localize the sound). She also uses Periscope-Trunk, drawing attention to potential danger, and then departs followed by her calves. Other members of the family pay attention to her, are alert and use J-Trunk - note that even the female who is turned away is alerted - perhaps by Qasima's silence. We did not hear any Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)