Trunk-Tuck

Folding the trunk under and holding its end off the ground by tucking it between the base of the trunk and a tusk or, alternatively, folding it sideways and laying the lower end tucked back on top of a tusk.

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

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Attentive, Movement, Space & Leadership

Trunk-Tuck

Context: Attentive (1)

A young male engages in Trunk-Tuck as he Contemplates whether to engage in a bout of play with another young male. He stands with Trunk-Tucked and then walks over to him and touches him Trunk-to-Genitals. He considers a bit more, returning to his Trunk-Tucked posture. Notice his Ears-Stiff - attentive. As a third young male arrives and reaches Trunk-to-Mouth to the middle male, the first young male abandons his Trunk-Tuck stance and Reaches-Over the middle male. They walk off together. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Tuck

Context: Attentive (2)

Ozora is in estrus and wants to leave but is Waiting for Liaqat, her Guarding male. She stands Waiting with her Trunk-Tucked away. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Tuck

Context: Attentive (3)

Titus is Waiting for some movement and a Mating opportunity. He is watching the Guarding musth male, Liaqat and estrous female Ozora, who is also Waiting on Liaqat. As he Waits he adopts a Trunk-Tuck stance. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Tuck

Context: Attentive (4)

Titus is Waiting for some movement and a Mating opportunity. He is watching the Guarding musth male, Liaqat and estrous female Ozora, who is also Waiting on Liaqat. As they Wait they both adopt a Trunk-Tuck stance. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Tuck

Context: Attentive (5)

A medium sized male is Waiting for a Mating opportunity around an estrous female and adopts an adaptation of a Trunk-Tuck. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Tuck

Context: Attentive (6)

A medium sized male is Waiting for a Mating opportunity around an estrous female and adopts an adaptation of a Trunk-Tuck resting the trunk curled on a tusk. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Tuck

Context: Attentive (7)

A medium sized male is Waiting for a Mating opportunity around an estrous female and adopts an adaptation of a Trunk-Tuck resting the trunk hooked over a tusk. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Trunk-Tuck

Context: Attentive (8)

Two males are Standing by our car studying us and interacting in a playful way with one another. The one closer to the car has his Trunk-Tucked. (Amboseli, Kenya)