Tail-Swatting

Using the tail to forcefully swat or hit an elephant behind it to indicate that the elephant should back off, tap an elephant to ask for its attention, or to gently check what is behind it. In rare cases using the tail to forcefully swat or hit an inanimate object like a tree. In Movement Space & Leadership and Social Play contexts all age/sex groups except infants may be observed to Tail-Swat; in a Calf Reassurance & Protection context both adult and adolescent females Tail-Swat; in a Calf Nourishment & Weaning context adult females Tail-Swat, while estrous females Tail-Swat in a Courtship context.

References: Kahl & Armstrong 2000; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011; O’Connell-Rodwell et al 2011 [Tail to body]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Calf Reassurance & Protection, Courtship, Foraging & Comfort Technique, Movement, Space & Leadership, Novel & Idiosyncratic, Social Play, Submissive

Tail-Swatting

Context: Submissive (1)

Qoral has a newborn infant and Qasima's 10 year old daughter Qaskasi wants to be close to it all the time. Qoral is not very happy about this and keeps trying to keep her away. In this clip Qaskasi Backs-Toward Qoral and gives her a couple of Body-Nudges with her rump. Qoral backs up as if to block her, though this is very subtle. The Qoral very clearly Body-Nudges her away. Qaskasi begins to Tail-Swat her and Qoral Tail-Swats her back. Kaskazi Tail-Swats her again and then Kicks-Back at her. Qoral responds with an exaggerated Kick-Back. Qaskasi moves a little away and Waits. She begins to Tail-Swat again. And then Backs-Toward Qoral again still Tail-Swatting. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Tail-Swatting

Context: Submissive (2)

Ten year old Qaskazi joins matriarch Qoral and her infant at a mud wallow. Qaskasi is very eager to take care of the infant and Qoral doesn't want her help. Qaskazi has been bothering her and does so again here. She walks up and then turns to Rump-Present and then as if to get Qoral's attention begins Tail-Swatting her. Having watched her do this over the course of the morning and knowing the drama that takes place later, we think this is a bit like 'hey, hey, I am here, can't I please look after the baby, please, pretty please.' (Amboseli, Kenya)

Tail-Swatting

Context: Submissive (3)

This clip takes place after Qadija Mates and there is a Mating-Pandemonium, during which Qoral's infant gets knocked over. After much comforting he begins to Suckle with audible sucking sounds. The females are still giving Coo- and other Rumbles. Qaskazi, the adolescent female who inadvertently knocked the infant over Backs-Toward Qoral and Kicks-Back and Tail-Swats trying to get her attention or, seemingly, in an appeasement gesture. Qoral eventually tires of it and touches her Trunk-to-Genitals - a conciliatory gesture and then tries to Grasp-Tail. (Amboseli, Kenya)