Tail-Raising

Raising the tail. The tail of a relaxed elephant hangs down. Fearful, highly playful or sexually or socially aroused elephants typically raise their tails. All age/sex groups Tail-Raise in Vigilant and Avoidance contexts; female adults, adolescents and calves Tail-Raise in Affiliative and Courtship contexts and female adults and adolescents Tail-Raise in Coalition Building contexts.

References: Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6; Moss 1988; Poole 1996: 41, 154; Poole 1999a; Payne, 1998; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2004; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Affiliative, Avoidance, Calf Reassurance & Protection, Coalition Building, Social Play, Vigilance

Tail-Raising

Context: Avoidance (1)

Adult male gm0016 Tail-Raises as he moves away from the vehicle. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Tail-Raising

Context: Avoidance (2)

In the pan we find adult male, Aloisio, and tuskless matriarch gf0070 and her family. An apprehensive calf moves toward gf0070 with Chin-Up and Tail-Raising and past gf0070. As it does so gf0070 reaches to Touch-Genitals. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Tail-Raising

Context: Avoidance (3)

Tuskless matriarch gf0070 is standing in the pan with her family. She is Standing-Tall, Chin-Up and Foot-Lifting. Then she Orients-Away with Chin-Up, Vigilant. She decides to depart. Her infant runs to catch up Tail-Raising. Others Tail-Raise and they make a Full-Retreat. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Tail-Raising

Context: Avoidance (4)

Tuskless matriarch gf0070 is standing in the pan with her family. She is Standing-Tall, Chin-Up and Foot-Lifting. Then she Orients-Away with Chin-Up, Vigilant. She decides to depart. Her infant runs to catch up Tail-Raising. Others Tail-Raise and they make a Full-Retreat. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Tail-Raising

Context: Avoidance (5)

Two calves are separated from their family and get a fright when they find themselves near to the vehicle. They respond by Tail-Raising and Panic-Running. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Tail-Raising

Context: Avoidance (6)

The family is moving away from the approach of a herd of Maasai cattle. Then an elephant rolls a tree trunk and it makes a loud crashing sound frightening a male infant, who has walked ahead of his mother to be with an age-mate. The infant stops and raises his head, ears and tail in alarm - Ear-Stiffening and Tail-Raising and then returns to his mother's side, Panic-Running. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Tail-Raising

Context: Avoidance (7)

Young elephants from the Mabenzi family are Tail-Raising as they Panic-Run. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)