Ear-Spreading

Standing or moving with the ears fully extended at ~90 degrees from body. An elephant normally holds its ears in a relaxed position such that they rest approximately 10-30 cm from the side of the body. In this relaxed position the ears do not appear stiff or tense, lifted, spread, or pressed against the body.

Elephants may Ear-Spread when facing an opponent, predator or presumed threat, presumably for the purpose of appearing larger. Elephants may also spread their ears when they are Listening, surprised, alarmed or otherwise aroused. All age sex groups engage in Ear-Spreading.

References: Kühme 1961; Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6; McKay 1973; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011; O’Connell-Rodwell et al 2011 [Ear-Extension, Ears held out]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Ambivalent, Attacking & Mobbing, Attentive, Calf Reassurance & Protection, Conflict & Confrontation, Social Play, Vigilance

Ear-Spreading

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (1)

Two young males are on the floodplain. gm0016 lifts his hind foot (Foot-Lifting) and then turns and gives us a half-hearted Charge. Both males exhibit Ear-Spreading. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (2)

This is an excerpt from a long Group-Charge led by Valente, gf0013. Note Valente’s Ear-Spreading throughout. For the entire sequence check out Coalition. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (3)

This clip is taken from a longer sequence of behavior by the I family. As the clip starts matriarch iJunia, gf0005, has slows her Charge to a Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward. She takes the lead with her daughter Isabella, gf0038, by her side and a tiny baby in tow. Both are Ear-Spreading. Someone gives a Trumpet-Blast and iJunia Head-Dips. They stop near us and Isabella reaches Trunk-to-Mouth to iJunia. They Bunch facing us Standing-Tall, Ear-Spreading and Head-Swinging and iJunia gives a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)