Check-Tusk

Using the tip of the trunk, or its fingers, to feel the individual’s own tusk. Typically employed by adult males after a clash of tusks during an Escalated-Contest or Sparring match and appears to check to ensure the tusk is not damaged.

References: Poole & Granli 2021. (Full reference list)

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

Check-Tusk

Context: Social Play (1)

Two young males are Sparring. They pause to consider one another and then go head to head. Immediately after both males check to see if the tips of their tusks are damaged or to sniff the scent of the other male? The male on the left checks both tips, the male on the right only one. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Check-Tusk

Context: Social Play (2)

After a bout of Sparring, the smaller of the two young males stands facing away from his partner and checks the tip of his own tusk (Check-Tusk). Meanwhile the larger male has his trunk around the younger male's hind leg in a Grasp-Leg. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)