Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward

An aggressor lowers the head by bowing the neck downward and simultaneously tilting the head upward so that the tusks are approximately horizontal and Advances-Toward a rival or other threat. The Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward may be associated with Ear-Slapping and/or Ear-Folding. This posture is typically held at a fast walk and is used especially when the receiver is of smaller stature than the aggressor. In a sense the aggressor brings head/tusks down to the victim's level. It is one of the more common forms of high-level aggression between females of different families or toward young, pesky non-family males and may be seen as a component of a Coalition. It may also be directed at non-elephant threats. It is adopted primarily by adult females in Aggressive or Mobbing & Attacking contexts and by elephants of all age/sex groups in Social Play contexts. It is reminiscent of the “Forward Threat Display” of geese.

References: Moss 1988; Poole 1996; Kahl & Armstrong, 2000; Poole & Granli 2011 [Bow-Neck]. (Full reference list)

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Advance-Toward, Bow-Neck, Ear-Folding, Ear-Slap and occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Attacking & Mobbing

Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (1)

This is part of a long sequence in which the Mabenzi family discovers our car tracks in the grass. Younger elephants find them and then go over to enlist help from the lead females, who are some 30 m away. Valente and Mwana Nzo come over to investigate bringing everyone with them. Mwana Nzo moves up smartly to check the track. She sniffs and then Stands-Tall looking at Kate’s/Greg’s car x 2 and then sniffs again and decides, correctly, that it is us.

As this clip begins, she turns on us Standing-Tall and then begins a what looks like the start of a Charge but, instead is a short Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward followed by Kick-Dust. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (2)

This is part of a long sequence in which the Mabenzi family discovers our car tracks in the grass. Younger elephants find them and then go over to enlist help from the lead females, who are some 30 m away. Valente and Mwana Nzo come over to investigate bringing everyone with them. Mwana Nzo moves up smartly to check the track. She sniffs and then Stands-Tall looking at Kate’s/Greg’s car x 2 and then sniffs again and decides, correctly, that it is us.

As this clip begins, she turns on us Standing-Tall and then begins a what looks like the start of a Charge but, instead is a short Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward followed by Kick-Dust. She then turns and leads the family away adopting the Rear-Guard. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (3)

This clip is part of a long series in which we are Charged. Berta, gf0009, signals her intent with a Perpendicular-Walk and then turns and comes toward us with a Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward. Notice that she does several Head-Dip-Touch-Ground movements as she walks. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (4)

This clip is taken from a longer sequence of behavior of the I family. As the clip starts tuskless matriarch iJunia, gf0005, has slowed her Charge to a Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward. She takes the lead with her daughter, Isabella, gf0038, by her side and a tiny female infant in tow. 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 and Head-Swinging and iJunia gives a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (5)

Matilda of the MB family Advances-Toward our vehicle in a Bow-Neck posture. She pauses and then gives another Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward. She Stands-Tall and then Backs-Away. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward

Context: Aggressive (1)

The female on the left is in estrus and Guarded by Emo in musth. Other males are present. Another female, with asymmetrical tusks, who is just coming into estrus comes into view from the right and threatens the estrus female first Ear-Folding and then with a Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward which includes a vigorous Head-Dip and audible Ear-Slapping against the side of the body.

The first estrous female Retreats-From and Emo tests the second estrous female Trunk-to-Genitals. She stands for him to test, but then give the first female a Bow-Neck-Charge with Ears-Folded and another vigorous Head-Dip and Ear Slapping against the body. The first female Runs-Away with her calf. A male comes to test the second female and then he goes off after the first female. The second female Rumbles. (Amboseli, Kenya)