Trunk-Push-Down

Placing the trunk over the head of an opponent and pushing down. This behavior is observed during Social Play and in Escalated-Contests and is a common tactic in Sparring matches. It tends to be performed by males of all ages.

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

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

Trunk-Push-Down

Context: Social Play (1)

There are 3 adolescent/juvenile males. The male on the left with the broken leg, is gm0009. He is the oldest and was a bystander while the other two were Sparring. The smallest male, facing us, appears to become angry and overly aggressive, attacking the male with his back to us, Ramming into him and forcing him back. Then gm0009 seems to intervene and the two pause as if thinking better of the game. The male with his back to us Touch-Self.

In what appears to be an act of Conciliation gm0009 touches the smallest male, who seems to Rump-Present and gm0009 leans into him and touch him Trunk-to-Genitals. Then the male with the broken hind leg Reaches-Over the male in the middle, while the male on the right engages in a Trunk-Push-Down. Then both step back and Trunk-Suck. After gm0009 appears to touch the middle male Trunk-to-Genitals. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)