Bend-Down-Bite-Vegetation

An elephant, typically a calf under age three, kneeling down to bite off stubborn vegetation he or she is unable to extract with trunk, feet or tusks.

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

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Foraging & Comfort Technique

Bend-Down-Bite-Vegetation

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (1)

A 6 month old female calf bends down to bite off a stubborn bit of vegetation and then uses her trunk to put it successfully into her mouth. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Bend-Down-Bite-Vegetation

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (2)

An 18 month old male calf tries to use the Grasp-Seedling-Slice-with-Foot technique but fails. He bends down and bites off the seedling and uses his trunk to help put it successfully into his mouth. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Bend-Down-Bite-Vegetation

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (3)

This is an excellent example of a 1 year calf attempting the Grasp-Seedling-Slice-with-Foot technique and failing and so biting it instead. Notice how he really works to achieve his goal. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Bend-Down-Bite-Vegetation

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (2)

A 1 year to 18 month old calf removes a stubborn seedling by bending down and biting it off. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)