Submerge

An elephant descending such that his or her head and/or entire body is completely below the surface of an area of water.

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

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Lone & Object Play, Social Play

Submerge

Context: Social Play (1)

Esau is playing with other males in a pool. He locates a stick on the bottom of the pool and raises it over his head, plays with it and then Submerges. He pops up again next to his playmates and continues to play. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Submerge

Context: Social Play (2)

A medium sized male enters the pool and approaches Esau, a larger male who is crawling on the bottom of the pool. Esau holds a Periscope-Trunk and then Submerges and rolls on his side kicking a hind leg out of the water. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Submerge

Context: Social Play (3)

A mother takes her newborn into a pool with her likely for the first time. The newborn clambers along occasionally Submerging and then begins Swimming - again sometimes Submerging as the others play around her. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Submerge

Context: Social Play (4)

A male is acting like the bully at the swimming pool exuberantly Charging back and forth Trumpeting and Splashing others. At the end of this clip he comes toward another male and Submerges. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Submerge

Context: Social Play (5)

A young male is in the KH4 water hole playing. He Submerges his legs appearing out of the water and his trunk occasionally surfacing for air. Towards the end a male walks past with an Exaggerated-Walk. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Submerge

Context: Social Play (6)

A male Submerges toward another male, then Snorkels his trunk over to him and Grasps-Tail. The other male seems surprised and gives a little Jolt. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Submerge

Context: Social Play (7)

Elephants are playing in a deep pool. A young male with a collar is lying on his side, occasionally Submerged. He kicks his leg into the air several times and Splashes-with-Foot. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Submerge

Context: Social Play (8)

A young male enters a deep pool, and Splashes-with-Trunk. He finds a small stick in the mud and holds it tight against the end of his tusk with his trunk before collapsing into the water and Submerging. (Amboseli, Kenya)