A few days ago, I was sitting outside my room in the Londolozi village and heard an almighty trumpet of an elephant coming from close to the river. This is not something abnormal to hear, as we know, this is the noise that elephants make but it triggered a thought about whether we could somehow decipher what they were saying. So naturally, I opened up a Google browser and started to do some research into it. So how do elephants communicate and what do we already know about deciphering them?
A herd of elephants come down to drink from a nearby waterhole
Trumpeting: Vocalizations as a Form of Expression
One of the most recognizable aspects of elephant communication is their trumpeting. It’s a sound that can convey a myriad of emotions—excitement, warning, or distress. If you’ve been on a safari at Londolozi and spent any time with a herd of elephants you too would’ve heard trumpeting punctuate the air, providing a glimpse into the dynamic social interactions of elephants. Each trumpet echoes through the landscape and is used not only to communicate over large distances but also to maintain the intricate bonds within elephant herds.
Rumbles: The Power of Infrasound
While the trumpeting captures our attention, much of elephant communication occurs below the threshold of human hearing. Infrasound, low-frequency rumbles that travel through the ground, plays a crucial role in the elephant’s communication repertoire. These infrasound calls can cover vast distances, enabling elephants to share information across the expansive terrain. Imagine the wilderness as a network of invisible conversations, with elephants using infrasound to coordinate activities, warn of danger, or simply stay connected with distant members of their herd.
Elephants will communicate with other elephants over short and long distances using low rumbles some not audible to humans.
Body Language: Expressing Emotions Through Movement
When you are next watching a herd of elephants, pay attention to their body language. The position of their ears, the gestures of their trunks, and the movements of their bodies all contribute to their communication. Ears held out may signify excitement or agitation, while ears held back can indicate submission or fear. Trunks are used for intricate gestures, from caressing to disciplining, adding layers of nuance to their interactions. The more closely one observes their body language the more one will understand their subtle gestures to each other.
Chemical Conversations: Scent Markings and Pheromones
Within elephants, communication isn’t confined to audible or visible cues alone. Chemical signals also play a vital role. Elephants leave scent markings through urine, faeces, and glandular secretions, conveying information about their reproductive status, identity, and the presence of potential mates. The riverbanks, where elephants often gather, become not only a watering hole but also an area for these olfactory messages that contribute to the communal understanding of the herd.
Deciphering the Code: Joyce Poole
During my research, I came across a fascinating National Geographic Explorer, Joyce Poole. She has spent almost 50 years watching elephants and trying to decipher all their different ways in which to communicate. She has understood the different pitches within trumpets that could indicate either a calf wanting to suckle, or what it means when an elephant folds its ear or swings its foot.
A young elephant calf suckles as its mother feeds.
Through countless hours spent with specific individuals and herds, she knows them all by sight. When observing the same individuals over such extended periods Joyce has been able to, at least to some degree, understand what all of these different actions mean. These are a bit difficult to describe in words but some of them include:
- High-pitched trumpet from a calf wanting to suckle
- Grumble rumbles with a bit of a waving sound to it indicate that the individual is complaining about something
- Very deep long rumbles when they are being comforted after something that distressed them
- Long trumpet blast when chasing a predator
- Short playful blasts when calves are playing with each other
An elephant calf gives off a high-pitched trumpet to let its mother know that it wants to suckle
The richness of elephant communication extends far beyond what meets the human ear or eye. From the unmistakable trumpeting that echoes through the bush to the subtle nuances of body language and the silent conversations carried on through infrasound and chemical signals, elephants employ a diverse array of methods to convey their thoughts, emotions, and intentions. Through the tireless efforts of researchers like Joyce Poole, who have dedicated their lives to decoding the intricate language of these magnificent creatures, we gain a glimpse into the depth of their communication. As we continue to study and learn from elephants, we not only enhance our understanding of their social dynamics but also deepen our appreciation for the complexities of the natural world. In the end, it’s not just about deciphering their language but also about respecting and preserving the remarkable bonds and behaviours that define elephant society.
So the next time you’re on safari at Londolozi try to pay attention to the different noises and cues that the elephants you see are making and perhaps you will be able to decipher more than you thought you could.
Barry, thank you for the information about elephant communication. Communication is the life blood of any species survival over a Long period of time. Understanding that communication allows us insight into their world and a deeper appreciation of their individual lives.
Great blog on Elephant language, Barry!
Watching elephants is so wonderful, especially when they ar in a big herd with lots of communication going on.
Once three youngish elephant bulls trumpeted in front of my cabin kind of announcing their presence. When I came out to investigate they were having so much fun using the pool in front of the cabin, drinking, fooling around with the water as if they wanted to show off. After they had their fun ( and I mine) they turned round and went to some bushes to feed. Elephants are such amazing animals.
Lovely article, it was a joy to read and it brought back so many memories.
Hi, very true, I also strongly advise to read Among the Elephants by Ian Douglas-Hamilton, introduced by Niko Timbergen. Although an old book it’s extremely accurate and his daughter, Saba Douglas-Hamilton, is operating as well in Kenya. She also witnessed the appalling story of the lioness called Kamunyak, who adopted several oryx calves before disappearing. She tried to save them even from a male lion, who, of course, ate the calf. She is one of the greatest witness of prey-predator odd interactions…
Thanks Barry, I guess you guys and the trackers are already very adept at interpreting their language. Your understanding allows us guests to just sit back and enjoy being surrounded by a breeding herd grazing within touching distance of the vehicle….an amazing experience I’ll never tire of!
Ellies are amazing. Visited Sheldrick Trust in Nairobi and follow their blogs and they have talked about the same findings as Joyce. They are highly intelligent and emotional animals. I could hang with them all day! You are so lucky!
Hi Barry, thanks for this vital information about the elephant communication system. The gentle giants fascinate me and the way they go along their daily activities with the herd. Rumbling noises within the herd and trumpeting from the juniors seemingly amuse us. They are very touchy mammals and like to be near each other, the family stick together. Ear flapping seems to be agitation as also the foot swinging. They certainly do have an intricate language and communication system among each others, and between herds.
Thanks for delving into the fascinating world of elephants whilst looking for reasons behind their trumpeting and personal interactions. Joyce Poole is certainly one of the foremost researchers in studying elephants.
I love spending time with them, some of my favorite moments include the little ones trying to make themselves big by trumpeting, flapping their ears and racing up to the vehicle before turning around and running back to mom. Even though I don’t live amongst these gentle giants, I’ve read several books about them and have been fortunate to spend hours watching them in their forest habitat as well as their time spent drinking and playing in the Chobe River whilst in Botswana. Looking forward to spending more time with them in South Africa later year.
Every time I read a blog post, I become more enamored with all that a safari has to offer. It is so much more than anything I could have imagined before actually being at Londolozi.
Every time I read a blog post, I become more enamored with all that being on safari entails. Thanks for sharing, Barry! Can’t wait to be back in a few months.
Loved this piece, Barry! Elephants are the most complex creatures to learn about. Their whole family/herd dynamic is fascinating.