A series of modulated and, typically overlapping, or ‘chorused’ tonal rumbles, given by female elephants in response to the arrival of a musth male. Component Rumbles last 3.2-5.7 seconds in duration. Adult and juvenile females join in the Rumbling chorus that may also include Snorting, Trumpeting and, occasionally, Roaring. We refer to this pattern of calling to a musth male as a Female-Chorus.
Females may also engage in Female-Chorus-Rumbling when a family member is tested by a musth male, or in response to hearing a Musth-Rumble, and may even call upon locating the scent-trail of a musth male. When females call in these contexts they often Urinate, Defecate and secrete Temporin from their temporal glands. When females are highly aroused, their chorused calls can include powerful and throaty rumbles.
References: Poole 1982: 37; Poole et al 1988; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole 2011. (Full reference list)
This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Advertisement & Attraction, Courtship
Female-Chorus-Rumble
Context: Advertisement & Attraction (1)
The scene shows the Mabenzi family with musth male Gogogo, gm0001. Gogogo is testing Trunk-to-Genitals an adolescent female who is standing next to Valente, gf0013 (holding the stick). The adolescent female emits a loud throaty rumble with Open-Mouth and Rapid-Ear-Flapping) and others, particularly Maya, gf0020, standing alone ahead (who Orients-Toward her and calls with Open-Mouth and Rapid-Ear-Flapping). Valente, gf0013, standing beside her (who also calls with Open-Mouth and Rapid-Ear-Flapping), joins in the Female-Chorus.
Some elephants reach Trunk-to-Mouth to her and Marcela, g0079, moves up to her (they look alike and we think gf0079 is her mother). There is continued calling, and gf0079 Urinates and then steps forward. Gogogo turns back a bit and is very interested in a scent on the ground. He spends a long time to Sniff-Ground while others walk past, mill around and also Sniff-Ground. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)
Female-Chorus-Rumble
Context: Advertisement & Attraction (2)
The scene shows the Mabenzi family with musth male Gogogo, gm0001. Gogogo is testing Trunk-to-Genitals an adolescent female who is standing next to Valente, gf0013 (holding the stick). The adolescent female emits a loud throaty rumble with Open-Mouth and Rapid-Ear-Flapping) and others, particularly Maya, gf0020, standing alone ahead (who Orients-Toward her and calls with Open-Mouth and Rapid-Ear-Flapping). Valente, gf0013, standing beside her (who also calls with Open-Mouth and Rapid-Ear-Flapping), joins in the Female-Chorus.
Some elephants reach Trunk-to-Mouth to her and Marcela, g0079, moves up to her (they look alike and I think gf0079 is her mother). There is continued calling, and gf0079 Urinates and then steps forward. Gogogo turns back a bit and is very interested in a scent on the ground. He spends a long time to Sniff-Ground while others walk past, mill around and also Sniff-Ground. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)
Female-Chorus-Rumble
Context: Advertisement & Attraction (3)
Amparo has just Mated with Pascal - and as this clip begins is out of view on the left. A medium sized male reaches Trunk-to-Genitals to test Qapella who gives a Female-Chorus Rumble. As the camera pans left we see that Amparo joins her in Rumbling - though hers is likely an Estrous-Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)
Female-Chorus-Rumble
Context: Advertisement & Attraction (4)
Pascal is in full musth and is walking through the FD family. They appear to Wait for him. Flanna seems very interested in Pascal and keeps Rumbling. In this clip she Rumbles as he comes near her. She seems to try to entice him to test her, but he keeps moving. (Amboseli, Kenya)
Female-Chorus-Rumble
Context: Advertisement & Attraction (5)
Pascal in full musth is Guarding Qadija of the QB family. An adolescent female, who we think is Qaskasi - Qasima's daughter, reacts as Pascal approaches - Ear-Slapping and giving what we believe is a Female-Chorus-Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)
Female-Chorus-Rumble
Context: Advertisement & Attraction (6)
At the start of the clip we see matriarch Qoral standing with part of her family. Males begin to walk by and then we see Pascal's tusks come into view. He makes a ka-nunk sound that is part of a Musth-Rumble - or what we call a 'half-assed' Musth-Rumble and immediately females respond with several overlapping rumbles - a Female-Chorus. We have circled Pascal as he vocalizes and the females are all behind a male who is therefore circled. You can see Qoral Ear-Flapping through his legs. (Amboseli, Kenya)
Female-Chorus-Rumble
Context: Courtship (1)
Pascal is in musth and is with two estrous females. Amparo, with whom he has just Mated, is ahead of him, and Miranda is following him. Another musth male is near to Amparo. We hear and see Pascal Musth-Rumbles and Ear-Waves, perhaps as a threat to this male, or to Amparo, and Miranda immediately calls (likely Female-Chorus) overlapping with his call. We can see her Ear-Lifting and Head-Raising.
Pascal stands Listening and then adopts a Periscope-Trunk, presumably sniffing the air ahead of him. Amparo calls - we believe an Estrous-Rumble and Pascal lifts his head and Musth-Rumbles and Ear-Waves. The camera pans left in the middle of his call to reveal Amparo and Qapella calling together Tusk-Clanking and reaching Trunk-to-Mouth. We guess that this is another Estrous-Rumble or Female-Chorusing. Pascal immediately joins in, his Musth-Rumble overlapping with theirs and another closer voice is likely Miranda. Pascal walks over to Amparo to continue Guarding her. (Amboseli, Kenya)
Erin and other EBs give a Female-Chorus in response to Masaku in musth. (Amboseli, Kenya)
If you want to look at a spectrogram of this recording, .
A four year old female in a group containing the FB, EB and EA families initiates a Female-Chorus with a Rumble as a musth male joins their group. Her Rumble is followed by Rumbles and Trumpets from other members of the aggregation. (Amboseli, Kenya)
If you want to look at a spectrogram of this recording, .
A musth male gives a short Musth-Rumble. The EB family responds by orienting toward him with a Female-Chorus. One female Snorts. Then they walk toward him and Urinate. (Amboseli, Kenya)
If you want to look at a spectrogram of this recording, .
Echo, Erin and a calf Rumble and Rev-Rumble in a Female-Chorus as Rashid, in musth, appears. After the first Rumble there is a loud Ear-Slap. (Amboseli, Kenya)
If you want to look at a spectrogram of this recording, .
Ebony initiates a Female-Chorus with a loud Rumble-Roar-Rumble to Rashid in musth. She is joined by Echo, Eliot and Erin who Rumble in chorus. Someone Trumpets. Erin is in estrus. (Amboseli, Kenya)
If you want to look at a spectrogram of this recording, .
Kagambi in musth departs; one female initiates a Female-Chorus by Rumbling. Several more of the EB family Rumble and Trumpet. It appears that Kagambi is the one of interest to them. A vehicle can be heard in the background. (Amboseli, Kenya)
If you want to look at a spectrogram of this recording, .
