V8-Rumble

A short (1.1-1.8 seconds) groaning-sounding Rumble given by an adult male who is on the receiving end of a serious threat. The call has the quality of an outboard or V8 engine, thus its name. The V-8 Rumble is similar in acoustic structure and in social context to a Grumbling-Rumble and it is possible that its deeper, more resonant quality is merely because it is produced by much larger individuals. Adult males may produce this call in several specific circumstances including: When seriously threatened at close range by a higher-ranking (often musth) individual; when chased or lunged at by a higher ranking individual; during rough sparring matches or other rough play.

This call appears to be produced only by males and seems to indicate submission; the attacker usually stops when his or her opponent has vocalized.

References: Poole 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Submissive, Protest & Distress

V8-Rumble

Context: Protest & Distress (1)

It is almost dark and two young males are Sparring. It is getting rough. There are loud clanks of ivory. Toward the end of the clip the slightly smaller male with shorter tusks has the upper hand and is forcing the other male back and down. The larger male pulls away and signals defeat with a soft V8-Rumble. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

V8-Rumble

Context: Protest & Distress (2)

There is tension around an estrous female. A medium sized male walks past the camera from right to left and goes off frame. Another medium-sized male is standing in the left side of the view. The first male Forward-Trunk-Swings at him and he gives an Open-Mouthed V-8-Rumble of protest and Runs-Away. (Amboseli, Kenya)

V8-Rumble

Context: Protest & Distress (3)

There is tension around an estrous female. A fight has broken out between two males - one with two broken tusks and another with longer curved tusks. The have just clashed. In unusual behavior two additional males have sided with the broken tusked male in a coalition against the longer tusked male. They gang up on him and outnumbered he turns and Runs-Away emiting a V8-Rumble followed by a Rumble-Roar and another V8-Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)

V8-Rumble

Context: Protest & Distress (4)

There is tension around an estrous female. Prior to the start of this clip, a new medium sized male joined the group (Male1) and a second medium sized male with two broken tusks (Male2) took exception to his arrival and threatened him Ear-Folding and Advancing-Toward him. A third smaller male (Male3) joined Male2 in a Coalition and together they Group-Advanced on Male1 who Retreated-From. Male1 and Male2 fought.

Then a fourth and slightly larger male (Male4) arriveed and joined the Coalition and, bolstered, Male2 pushed his advantage. They ganged up on him and outnumbered he turned and Ran-Away emitting a V8-Rumble followed by a Rumble-Roar and another V8-Rumble. The three males worked in a Coalition for another 4 minutes following him in a Prolonged-Pursuit, sometimes in Group-Advance at a fast walk and sometimes Running-After him - this clip is part of this section. At one point he turned to face them but they continue coming and he Runs-Away and gives another V8-Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)

V8-Rumble

Context: Protest & Distress (5)

There is tension around estrous female Nastya. A young male is threatened by another. He turns and Runs-Away making a V8-Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)

V8-Rumble

Context: Protest & Distress (6)

There is tension around estrous female Airstream who is being Guarded by Emo. Emo sees off a large male who then Redirects-Aggression toward another large male who Runs-Away and gives a V8-Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)

V8-Rumble

Context: Protest & Distress (7)

Two males are mucking about in a deep pool of water. It seems that one may have tusked the other underwater as he Jolts upward and gives a V8 sounding call. (Amboseli, Kenya)