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: Conflict & Confrontation (1)

gm0032 is reacting to the vehicle, Ear-Spreading and reaching his Trunk-Toward to sniff us. In slo-mo. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (2)

gm0016 suddenly gets spooked by the presence of the vehicle and moves away while Standing-Tall and Ear-Spreading, his Chin-Up and pausing to Look-At the vehicle. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (3)

gm0009 responds to the vehicle by moving away and Standing-Tall -and Ear-Spreading, with his Chin-Up while he Looks-At us. With is lame hind leg he likely has reason to feel apprehensive. He Touches-Self. Toward the end of the clip he takes hold of a branch and looks to be about to Throw-Debris at us, but instead drops it. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (4)

G7 threatens the car by Standing-Tall, Ear-Spreading, while he Looks-At us with Chin-Up. Note that he also does a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (5)

G7 arrives and finds Kate filming in Greg's open jeep. He walks toward her in a threatening posture, Ear-Spreading. Then Greg moves suddenly in the car and he gets a fright, responding with a Jolt. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (6)

An adolescent male displays Ear-Spreading as he approaches and listens to the filmmakers. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (7)

A day old male infant sees the vehicle and walks toward it Standing-Tall and Ear-Spreading. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (8)

Musth male m0023 turns to threaten the filmmakers. He stands Ear-Spreading, Listening to them and contemplating them. Then he gives an Ear-Flap-Slide and walks away. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Ear-Spreading

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (9)

Musth male, Rui, stands Listening and then Advances-Toward us while Ear-Spreading. He walks to a termite mound to Attain-Higher-Ground and Stands-Tall. Notice how he does a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground before going up the mound. On the mound he stands Foot-Lifting and Ear-Spreading before he again does a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground and goes back off the mound. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)