Ear-Slap

Slapping the ears loudly and sharply against the neck and shoulders. In a Movement Space and Leadership and Avoidance context this gestures is typically made by an older female, often the matriarch, who appears to use it to call attention to her location and (changing) activity or movement. In Aggressive, Coalition Building or Attacking & Mobbing contexts, it is used in association with Ear-Folding as an elephant Advances-Toward its adversary.

References: Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Aggressive, Avoidance, Coalition Building, Movement, Space & Leadership

Ear-Slap

Context: Coalition Building (1)

Provocadora, gf0012, stands Contemplating us with a J-Trunk. Her calf adopts a Periscope-Trunk as she tries to Solicit-Suckling, but Provocadora has other things on her mind and begins a Purposeful-Walk Advance-Toward us as she initiates a Group-Advance.

As she walks toward the vehicle the filmakers start the car, she pauses, raises her head and continues to advance as she Ear-Slaps audibly. She pauses again and Look-Back toward the others, as if to see whether they are with her, and she proceeds toward us with them backing her up in a Group-Advance. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)