Rip-Grass

Grasping a clump of grass with the trunk and, using the strength of the trunk alone to tear the blades, then transferring the trunkful into the mouth. The next trunkful is grasped and torn as the elephant continues to chew. This foraging technique is typical when the elephant is grazing on medium length grasses such as lush Cynodon dactylon. A group of elephants Ripping-Grass is associated with a rhythmic sound as individuals rip and ingest trunkful after trunkful.

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

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Foraging & Comfort Technique

Rip-Grass

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (1)

A young male uses his trunk to Rip-Grass. Typically with tougher grass like this, an elephant would use a foot to kick the grass to dislodge it. This elephant, instead, repeatedly yanks at it until it breaks free. He cleans it with a couple of swishes. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Rip-Grass

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (2)

Matriarch Valda of the V family is feeding on long grass using Rip-Grass technique. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Rip-Grass

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (3)

Vigilante of the V family is feeding on grass with her family. She is trying to use the Rip-Grass technique, but she is less successful than Valda because she is missing the end of her trunk - the result of a snare. We can see her try to wrap her trunk around the grass and it slips from her grasp. Several times she resorts to kicking the grass to loosen it in an adapted Grasp-Kick-Grass. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Rip-Grass

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (4)

Leroy is feeding on grass - he uses a technique which involves gathering multiple trunkfuls before placing these in his mouth. Sometimes he loops his trunk over his trunk to knock off dust and debris. (Amboseli, Kenya)