Grasp-Tail

Using the trunk to briefly grasp the tail of another. This is perhaps most commonly observed during social play, but males may sometimes grasp the tail of an estrous female, and mothers may hold the tails of their infants apparently to get their attention.

References: Moss 1988; Poole 1996: p 274; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Affiliative, Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Calf Reassurance & Protection, Social Play

Grasp-Tail

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (1)

An adult male tests Arora B Trunk-to-Genitals and then sniffs her anus and then continues to Grasp-Tail as she tries to walk away. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Grasp-Tail

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (2)

An adult male tests allomother Arora B Trunk-to-Genitals and then Grasp-Tail. She Kicks-Back at him and walks forward, while he still holds her tail, and then backward to come between the male and Angelina's newborn twin. (Amboseli, Kenya)