Cry-Rumble

A combination call that consists of a short Cry followed by a Rumble without an inhalation. Cry-Rumbles are given by an infant or calf under the age of five years when in some form of mild distress (e.g. when denied access to the breast or when protesting unwanted contact by an older elephant). When a calf's Begging-Rumbles or Grumbling-Rumbles fail to induce its mother to stop and adopt a Suckle-Stance the calf may escalate it's begging to a higher-pitched Cry, Cry-Rumble, Roar, or Roar-Rumble.

Many of the Cry-Rumbles in our collection were recorded at feeding time among the orphaned calves in Tsavo at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Feeding time is frenzied with calves pushing and shoving for access to the milk bottles and coconut cakes. Most Cry-Rumbles in the wild are made by Begging calves, although calves may also Cry-Rumble when in mild distress.

References: Poole 2011, Pardo et al 2019. (Full reference list)

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Cry, Rumble and occurs in the following context(s): Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Protest & Distress

Cry-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (1)

Walli is feeding on grass with two calves by her side, a newborn and a 5 year old male. The selection starts with the older calf exhibiting Solicit-Suckling and begging with a Grumbling-Suckle-Rumble. Just as he manages to Suckle, Walli moves forward, pushing her body into him in a Reject-Suck and he is thwarted.

Meanwhile her infant also Solicits-Suckling on her left side, but just as she begins Suckling (Double-Suckling), Walli moves forward. The infant runs forward between her legs and she uses front foot to try to guide her back. She again walks forward blocking the five year old male and he complains. Then she Reject-Suck-Kick - swinging her back leg out at him unsuccessfully. The male tries again (giving a Suckle-Grumble-Rumble and Cry-Rumble) and she stops and both suckle (Double-Suckle) - briefly because she then uses both front and hind leg to Reject-Suck-Kick. He gives a very complaining Roar-Rumble. She walks on and the 5 year male runs around the back and tries to access form the other side. The newborn sees that male coming and gives a couple of Husky-Cries and Runs-Away. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Cry-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (2)

It is windy and filmed with a wide angle lens, but we can see Ruby and her two calves browsing in the company of a large male, who then walks away. Ruby's 6 year old son (mostly out of sight on her right) is trying to suckle again, while her younger calf is ahead of her in view. We hear him make a few Begging or Grumbling-Rumbles and then a Cry-Rumble as she appears to be kicking at him to get him away. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Cry-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (3)

Quieroz is Suckling her 4 year old male calf. When she moves her leg back to begin walking the calf Roars. As she continues to move the calf gives a Cry-Rumble and then finally a Cry. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Cry-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (4)

A 5-6 year old male calf has been trying to Suckle for a long time and his mother seems to be trying to wean him. She keep moving and he is using various tactics to try to get her to allow him to Suckle. He gives a Cry-Rumble in frustration. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Cry-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (5)

A six month old male calf is trying to Suckle from his mother, Queiroz, There is an estrus female in the group with many large males and he keeps being interrupted when his mother moves out of the way. We hear two Begging-Rumbles (barely audible and circled), followed by a Cry-Rumble (circled) and then a Roar (circled). This is a typical escalation pattern by a hungry calf whose needs aren't being met due to a mother who is on the move or is trying to wean the calf. This session was much longer and we have shortened it. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Cry-Rumble

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (6)

A six month old male calf is trying to Suckle from his mother, Queiroz, There is an estrus female in the group with many large males and he keeps being interrupted when his mother moves out of the way. As she moves again he Roars and then gives a Cry-Rumble. They walk off together. (Amboseli, Kenya)