Trunk-Bounce

An elephant bouncing the distal and outer portion of a curled trunk on the ground. The Trunk-Bounce seen in Asian elephants is a common display which produces a clearly audible thumping or popping sound. When aroused or threatened Asian elephants may repeatedly pop or bounce their trunks on the ground. In African elephants musth males and Charging females may bounce their trunks on the ground as a threat at very close range.

In most cases the Trunk-Bounce is not such a sharply defined movement nor as audible as in Asian elephants, though we do have examples of clearly audible and very defined Trunk-Bounce from Charging adult females.

References: Kahl & Armstrong 2002; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011 [Trunk-Bounce-Drag]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Attacking & Mobbing

Trunk-Bounce

Context: Advertisement & Attraction (1)

Viajante is acting as if he is in musth. He walks away from a mud wallow Trunk-Dragging and looks to be Tracking. He makes a little Ear-Wave type movement. Then he stops to Listen and J-Sniff. As this clip begins he continues and Rubs on tree and while doing so he does a series of Trunk-Bounce-like movements. We have never seen this particular way of doing it as far as we can remember. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Trunk-Bounce

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (1)

Ambuscadora comes like a rocket from the forest in a flat out Charge. She Trumpet-Blasts several times. The first time she stops she leaves her hind legs stiffly out behind her and drags them along the ground to stop. She comes again and gives a very defined Trunk-Bounce. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)