Trunk-Toward

Using the trunk to point toward or sniff toward an individual, object or scent of interest. The trunk is held relatively straight and pointed in the direction of the object of interest. While the assumption has been that this behavior indicates that the individual is sniffing, we changed the term from Sniff-Toward to Trunk-Toward, because we believe that the behavior may, sometimes, serve a visual signalling function, as in drawing the attention of others to an individual or object of interest. All age/sex groups engage in Trunk-Toward.

References: Rasmussen & Schulte 1998; Poole 1999a; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011 [Sniff-Toward/Hovering-Sniff]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Attentive, Birth, Calf Reassurance & Protection, Conflict & Confrontation, Submissive, Vigilance

Trunk-Toward

Context: Vigilance (1)

A young male reaches his Trunk-Toward us as he contemplates whether to depart. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Trunk-Toward

Context: Vigilance (2)

Matriarch Gina's adolescent male approaches the filmmakers car and Trunk-Toward them in curiosity but his slight Body-Jolt and Ear-Spreading suggests an element of vigilance. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Toward

Context: Vigilance (3)

An adult female Trunk-Toward something in the vegetation in the lugga. It seemed that it might have been the young male, but then another elephant was frightened by something in the river bed and gave an Alarm-Trumpet. We guess that the female is interested in whatever caused the previous fracas! (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Toward

Context: Vigilance (4)

Provocadora leads her family in a Procession. As she walks she reaches her trunk outwards in a Trunk-Toward, presumably sniffing toward us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Trunk-Toward

Context: Vigilance (5)

gf0016 reaches his Trunk-Toward us as he investigates us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Trunk-Toward

Context: Vigilance (6)

The I family is Bunching, Head-Swinging, and J-Sniffing. Isabella, gf0038 Sniff-Toward us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Trunk-Toward

Context: Vigilance (7)

One young male stands in the track standing attentively. Another stands just out of our view on the side of the track; he is concerned about our presence and stretches his Trunk-Toward us presumably to get our scent. Then he crosses the track and moves away while he Looks-Back at us. The other male sniffs us too. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)