Ear-Secretion

A sudden squirting or streaming of secretion from the ear during events that cause high arousal, such as the birth of a baby, or extreme unease, such as the sudden sounds of predators nearby. It is not clear at this stage how long such secretions last, their function or whether elephant make use of this secretion as a signal.

References: Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Affiliative, Conflict & Confrontation

Ear-Secretion

Context: Affiliative (1)

Adult female, gf0004, walking along with both Temporin and Ear-Secretion. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Ear-Secretion

Context: Affiliative (2)

A five year old female juvenile with Ear-Secretion. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Ear-Secretion

Context: Affiliative (3)

Adult female, Pat derby, with Ear-Secretion. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)