Rapid-Ear-Flapping

Flapping the ears vigorously and rapidly in a raised position. Rapid-Ear-Flapping is usually associated with Head-Raising and Ear-Folding. This behavior is almost always seen in the context of greeting or bonding interactions that involve chorused calling such as Bonding-Ceremonies, Coalitions, High-Fiving, End-Zone-Dance, Female-Choring, Greeting-Ceremonies, Mating-Pandemoniums. In Coalition Building and Advertisement & Attraction contexts this behavior is observed among adult, adolescent and juvenile females; In Affiliative contexts female calves also participate.

References: Moss 1981; Poole 1982: 37, 50; Moss 1988; Poole et al 1988; Poole 1998; Poole & Granli 2003; Payne, 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Affiliative, Birth, Coalition Building, Courtship

Rapid-Ear-Flapping

Context: Courtship (1)

Estrous female, Amparo, and musth male, Pascal (together on the right) have just mated and Estrus-Rumbling and Mating-Pandemonium begins and we see both Amparo and tuskless female Dram Rapid-Ear-Flapping and calling. Unusually a medium sized male joins them Rumbling and Rapid-Ear-Flapping. (Amboseli, Kenya)