Trunk-to-Genitals

Reaching of the trunk to touch, or near touch the genitals of another. Trunk-to-Genitals is a common behavior and occurs between elephants of all age/sex groups in a broad range of contexts. It is likely that such behaviour is often related to assessment of physical or sexual state, such as male assessment of female receptivity and female and male assessment of male musth state, or assessing the physical state of an infant.

Yet, it is not always the case that this behavior has an olfactory function. For instance calves Soliciting-Suckling have been observed to touch and even ‘pinch’ their mother’s genitals in an action that appears to be aimed at getting her attention. Likewise, mothers and allomothers touch the genitals of infants, apparently to get their attention before moving off or in an attempt to Guide them toward or away from something. Mothers and allomothers also regularly touch the genitals of infants in what appears to be a gesture of reassurance.

Trunk-to-Genitals often occurs during greetings between various age/sex individuals and during Sparring mostly between males. Elephants are very tactile animals with a tremendously perceptive sense of smell. More research is required to fully understand why elephants touch the genitals of other elephants.

References: Jainudeen et al 1971; Eisenberg et al 1971; Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6; Poole 1982: 37 illustration & 174; Poole 1987b; Rasmussen et al 1982; Rasmussen & Wittemyer 2002; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2004; Poole & Granli 2011 [Test-Genitals; Test-Penis]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Affiliative, Birth, Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Calf Reassurance & Protection, Courtship, Social Play

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (1)

The scene is of members of the C family: A one year old male approaches gf0080’s 6 month old calf and does a Play-Reach-Over. A juvenile female allomother approaches and reaches her Trunk-to-Genitals of the little female as if making sure she is ok. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (2)

The clip starts with calves belonging to the C family - a one year old male is feeding on lianas or stolons. A 6 month female comes over and they Spar. The female tries to get the grass he was feeding on, and he holds it over his head and then drops it. She looks for it in the grass and seems to find it, but meanwhile he starts a Play-Reach-Over game, bothering her.

An allomother appears in the background as if coming to police the situation. She appears to reach her Trunk-to-Genitals of the little female as if to reassure her and stands beside them as if to break up the rough-housing. She takes a mouthful of grass and then uses a Trunk-to-Mouth to the little male as if to gently push him away. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (3)

Little E is 5 days old. His mother is browsing and pauses to touch him Trunk-to-Mouth and then Trunk-to-Genitals. When she touches his genitals he gives a High-Intensity-Husky-Cry which is drowned out by the wind. His mother immediately responds by putting her Trunk-to-Mouth again, this time covering his mouth almost as if to say "there, there, hush now" and then gently draws her trunk down his.

At the same time allomother Lorato responds to his call by a Trunk-to-Genitals touch. Little E gets a semi erection from all the touching and gets all "itchy" again, using his hind legs to try to scratch his penis. More touching of his genitals by his mother and Lorato takes place and his attention is drawn to Lorato who turns away drawing him with her. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (4)

There is no audio. A 5 year old male from Big Mama's family looks to be alarmed by something and raises his head and spreads his ears. An adolescent female out of view reaches out with her trunk to reassure the calf (Trunk-to-Mouth) whereupon he appears to vocalize - Head-Raising and Ear-Lifting and then he Retreat-From into the safety of the family. The adolescent female reaches to reassure him again with two Trunk-to-Genitals. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (5)

to try to scratch his penis. Lorato puts her trunk down and touches his genitals (Trunk-to-Genitals). Little E has a semi-erection.

As the clip start Lorato goes back to feeding and then as Little E begins to explore she draws his attention back to her by touching him Trunk-to-Genitals and then Trunk-to-Mouth. He turns and stands close to her. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (6)

Little E is 2 days old and is standing next to his mother and allomother Lorato. Lorato touches him Trunk-to-Mouth and then Trunk-to-Genitals. Little E shakes his head and walks over to his mother to try to Suckle. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (7)

Little E is 2 days old and is standing next to his mother and allomother Lorato. Lorato adopts her Circus-Pose as she Waits. She seems to sense that she may be able to get him to follow her and she turns sharply left. He follows her movement and she follows him away from his mother monitoring him closely. He ends up on sharp thorns and seems unsure what to do. He is moving in a topsy-turvey way on the thorns and she turns to touch him, first Trunk-to Body (under belly) then under his chin, then Trunk-to-Genitals and then under his chin again - lifting his head up. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (8)

Little E is 4 days old and is Sheltering under his mother. He leaves his "house" to go to Sniff-Dung, which is fresh. His mother reaches over and touches him Trunk-to-Genitals in what appears to be a way of distracting him and changing his activity. He immediately turns around and goes back to Sheltering. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (9)

Little E is 1 month old and all itchy today. He Rubs against Lorato and she touches him Trunk-to-Genitals. He “spars” with her trunk pushing it. She touches him Trunk-to-Gentials again. He comes running toward the car and his allomothers become alarmed. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-to-Genitals

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (10)

Two infants are playing - an older male and younger female. A 5 year old juvenile female is keeping an eye on them - note her raised, attentive ears. The little male has an erection and the juvenile female seems to notice it - swinging her trunk back a couple of times. Then she reverses and reaches to touches the male's genitals (Trunk-to-Genitals) reaching between and then around in front of his hind legs. She reaches back to touch the mouth and face (Trunk-to-Mouth) of the little female.

The little male reaches up Trunk-to-Mouth to touch the 5 year allomother. Adult female, gf0089, approaches and they seem to be associated with her. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)