Suckling

An infant or calf standing sucking at the mother's breast with its trunk lifted back over its head (to allow the mouth access to the breast).

References: Poole & Granli 2003. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Calf Nourishment & Weaning

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (1)

The clip begins with a view of the Mabenzi family grazing. Maya, gf0020, is being Suckled by a 1.5 year old female. gf0017 move toward gf0020 and Supplant her and Maya's calf goes around to other side to suckle. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (2)

A newborn calf is Suckling from a young mother. In the second part of the clip the mother moves and the calf gives a Husky-Cry that has elements of a Cry-Rumble. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (3)

An infant suckles from a young female (with small breasts) and then stops midway to give a Rumble-Roar-Rumble and then another Rumble. It appears that the calf listens before calling. It is possible that the female he is Suckling from is not his mother and that he is calling to his mother who is out of sight. The adult female also Rumbles as we can see by her Ear-Flapping. He resumes Suckling. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (4)

A 6 year old male is walking along side his mother and matriarch, Selengei. He Solicits-Suckling. Selengei puts her foot deliberately back blocking his access; he gives a soft Suckle-Rumble. She permits him to Suckle. While Suckling he touches her other breast with his trunk x 2 and then goes around to the other side to try there, touching her genitals twice (Trunk-to-Genitals) as he does. He Suckles, but then she decides to move on. He emits two more Suckle-Rumbles; she pauses and then finally moves on when she hears the goats nearby and he gives another louder, more complaining Suckle-Rumble. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (5)

A view of an 18 month old calf Suckling in a rather dozy and not very successful way. He seems more focused on touching his mother's breast and being comforted by the contact than actually Suckling. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (6)

A male infant belonging to f0254 Suckles. Note the sucking sounds that he makes and how he gently touches his mother's breast. Notice, too, at the end, his Erection, which is typical of male calves when Suckling. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (7)

Little E is only 2 days old. He Suckles as his mother, Mama Little E, adopts a Suckle-Stance. Mama Little E touches him Trunk-to-Mouth, Trunk-to-Infant-at-Breast appearing to lift his head to Guide him to her breast. Allomother V-Notch touches him Trunk-to-Body and Trunk-to-Mouth. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (8)

Little E is 6 days old and has been Solicit-Suckling for at least 3 minutes but Mama Little E has made no attempt to help him. Then suddenly she marches off with Little E running after her. It is too windy to hear if he rumbles.

Mama Little E comes to an abrupt halt, and puts a foreleg forward, adopting a Suckle-Stance. She is Rumbling - though it is not clear who to. As she does so she reaches her trunk back and under his mouth (Trunk-to-Mouth) as if possibly Guiding him - and even holds his ear as if drawing him to her and showing him her breast and then Coo-Rumbles to him. She Coo-Rumbles again. She stands patiently while he Suckles again and again. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (9)

Howling dry season wind. Little E is only days old. He is having a difficult time reaching his mother's breast, but eventually manages to Suckle briefly as his mother is browsing. Then he loses contact and begins searching again and is having difficulty finding the teat. Mama Sniff-Toward (back) as she hear or feel the approach of Grumpy Grandma. Likely a Little Greeting.

Mama Little E reaches back with her trunk as if she is directing him - Trunk-to-Infant-at-Breast but he doesn't find it and lowers his head. She reaches back and again and this time she uses her trunk to actually lift his head to her breast and he Suckles (Guiding). As Little E seem to finally Suckle f0412 arrive and Social-Rub against Mama rump and flank. f0412 walk on and Mama continue to stand as Little E struggle to suckle with his mother NOT in the right posture. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (10)

There has just been a Little-Greeting as the allomother to the right arrived and greeted mother and infant. The allomother touches the calf several times. The calf Suckles for 33 seconds, then briefly tests the allo-mother for milk and then runs to other side and suckles from mother again. Note mother's accommodating stance. A female of 6 comes over and sniffs mother's breast. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (11)

Marcela, gf0017 is standing in a Circus-Pose in that expectant way. She is being Suckled by a 3 year old. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (12)

A 2-3 year old male calf is Suckling. He seems to be having some 'teething' problems because he keeps on stopping to Check-Tusk as if it is painful. We hear him make two very soft Begging-Rumbles. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (13)

This scene occurs after Qadija Mates and there is a Mating-Pandemonium, during which Qoral's infant gets knocked over. After much comforting he begins to Suckle with audible sucking sounds. The females are still giving Coo- and other Rumbles. Qaskazi, who inadvertently knocked the infant over Back-Toward Qoral and Kicks-Back and Tail-Swats trying to get her attention and, perhaps, her forgiveness. (Amboseli, Kenya)