Table 1 Definitions of coded behaviours.
From: Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) recognise human visual attention from body and face orientation
Behaviour | Definition |
|---|---|
Trunk swing | Tossing the trunk in the direction of E and/or the food in a quick, swift motion. |
Trunk out | Slowly moving or holding some part of the trunk in the direction of E and/or the food. There were three subcodes based on the direction of the trunk tip: (1) forward (towards E); (2) self (towards the trunk or body); and (3) ground (towards the food). |
Trunk up | Trunk upwards in an S-shape or holding some part of the trunk high above the head. There were three subcodes based on the direction of the trunk tip: (1) forward (towards E); (2) self (towards or touching the trunk); and (3) to the side. |
Reach out | Full extension of the trunk. There were two subcodes based on where the trunk was pointing towards: (1) E or (2) the food. |
Head nod | Head bobbing up and down at least once. One bout was coded as one event. |
Trained begging | An “unnatural” behaviour taught by a human that is consistently performed on a verbal command. Only applicable to two elephants who performed distinct behaviours (Bo nodded her head and vocalised simultaneously, and Benz held her trunk out towards E, closed the airway to her trunk by holding the tip tightly together, then released it, creating a soft, suction-like sound). |
