Foot-Swinging

Raising and tentatively swinging a foreleg, intermittently. Swinging of a hind-foot may also be observed although this is less common than a forefoot. Individuals in all age sex groups may engage in Foot-Swinging in Submissive, Ambivalent and Conflict & Confrontation contexts when unsure of what action to take, as in Displacement-Behavior. Likewise, all age sex groups may engage in Foot-Swinging in Attentive and Vigilance contexts as seen during Freezing behavior, when elephants may be feeling for or picking up seismic vibrations. In a Movement Space and Leadership context Foot-Swinging is observed among adult females as a signal of intention - i.e. an Intention-Movement - for example, as a component of the Let’s-Go-Stance. In the latter swinging of the hind foot is not observed.

References: Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6; Moss 1988; Poole 1999a; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

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

Foot-Swinging

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (1)

Juvenile female about 6 years old is engaged in Foot-Swinging Displacement-Object-Play and Trunk-Sucking. She fiddles around with a stick. In the context she appears to be bored and Waiting for others to move along. They are slowly moving while feeding. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Foot-Swinging

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (2)

A 4-5 year old male calf is Foot-Swinging as he stands J-Sniffing, Ear-Stiffening as he Listens attentively. He seems to be aware of movement behind him and is perhaps apprehensive about what is taking place - all of a sudden all begin to move. It is also possible that his Foot-Swinging is an intention movement as he waits for others to move, but that sort of signaling of intention is not common in calves. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Foot-Swinging

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (3)

Latino wants to go down into the lugga to the water. She stands on the edge of the steep bank Foot-Swinging. Then rumbling begins that sounds like a Let's Go - another starts it, then Grumpy Grandma f0412 rumbles (can see her Ear-Flapping) and then Latino. Her Foot-Swinging could also be an intention movement since it is associated with Let's go rumbling. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Foot-Swinging

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (4)

A family group is moving while feeding. Some elephants seem to be anxious to move a bit faster. A young female at the front of the group stands and begins Foot-Swinging. In the next scene a large adult female stands Foot-Swinging as she waits to step forward to Foot-Slice a sapling. The same young female who was first Foot-Swinging stands Waiting for the larger female to finish and then when she can moves gives an Ear-Flap-Slide - another intention movement - as she begins to walk forward. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)