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First disclosure and preliminary investigation of a liquid released from the ears of African elephants
Author(s) -
Riddle Heidi S.,
Riddle Scott W.,
Rasmussen L.E.L.,
Goodwin Thomas E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2361(2000)19:5<475::aid-zoo14>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - biology , zoology , ecology
This report is the first documentation, both behaviorally and chemically, of a phenomenon observed among African elephants ( Loxodonta africana ) whereby a sudden, often stream‐like discharge of liquid is seen from the auricular orifice. During this initial investigation, multiple samples of the fluid have been collected for analysis of physical properties and components. Trace organic chemicals that are apparently of elephant origin have been identified in the ear liquid, and the aqueous nature of the liquid has been demonstrated. The continuing objectives of this work and related studies are to determine the specific source of the liquid with particular focus on a search for auricular glands, to further characterize potential conspecific chemical signals, and to document more precisely particular social situations when this phenomenon occurs. Zoo Biol 19:475–480, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.