Kick-Grass
An individual using a forefoot to kick at a clump of grass to loosen it from the soil. Often employed with short grass such as Sporobolus spicatus. An elephant may also employ a forefoot in situation where stubble is too short to grasp with the trunk, or when a clump of grass is strongly rooted making it more efficient to loosen it with a kick than simply pulling with the trunk. This technique is not performed by infants. It is learned as a calf and perfected as a juvenile.
References: Poole & Granli 2021. (Full reference list)
This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Foraging & Comfort Technique