Lunge

A sudden forward thrust of the body and tusks, often with the trunk outstretched, to attack another. May be observed in Social Play, Aggressive and Attacking and Mobbing contexts. In the two former contexts all age/sex groups may be observed to Lunge at another elephant. In Attacking and Mobbing such behavior in the wild is likely limited to adult male and female elephants.

References: O’Connell-Rodwell et al 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Social Play

Lunge

Context: Social Play (1)

Two juvenile males are Sparring. One is bigger than the other. They take a couple of Lunges at one another. A young female decides that they are being too rough - or perhaps the older male is not part of the family - or perhaps she wants to play - in any case she intervenes. She Orient-Toward them and Head-Shake and then Look-At the older one while Trunk-Sucking. Then she Advance-Toward them and the older male Backs-Away. (Gorongosai, Mozambique)

Lunge

Context: Social Play (2)

Two juvenile males are engaged in a bout of rough Sparring. The male on the right Ear-Folds and forces the other back Pushing him as they engage tusks and we hear Tusks-Clank. The male on the right Lunges at the other male a couple of times. (Amboseli, Kenya)