Musth and Mating Behavior in Male and Female Elephants

Musth and Mating Behavior in Male and Female Elephants

Introduction:

Musth is a state of heightened testosterone observed in adult male elephants, impacting their behavior and social interactions. Additionally, mating in elephants is characterized by specific reproductive cycles and unique behaviors. This article explores the phenomena of musth in males and the mating behaviors of both males and females.

Bull in musth

1. Musth in Adult Male Elephants:

1.1. Onset and Intensity:

   - In southern Indian populations, musth typically begins at 15 years old but intensifies after the age of 25.

   - At Amboseli, no bulls under 24 exhibit musth, while half of those aged 25-35 and all bulls over 35 are in musth.

   - Seasonal influences may affect the timing of musth in certain areas.

1.2. Characteristics and Behaviors:

   - The main characteristic of musth is the fluid discharged from the temporal gland, running down the bull's face.

   - Behaviors associated with musth include walking with a high and swinging head, nonsynchronous ear flapping, tusk picking at the ground, marking, rumbling, and urinating in the sheath.

   - The duration of musth varies among males of different ages and conditions, lasting from days to months.

2. Aggression and Social Dynamics during Musth:

2.1. Aggressive Behavior:

   - Musth triggers extreme aggression in male elephants.

   - Size is a determining factor in agonistic encounters when individuals are in similar conditions.

   - Musth bulls have a higher success rate in contests against non-musth bulls, even when the non-musth bull is larger.

2.2. Dominance and Interactions:

   - Encounter outcomes between musth and non-musth males favor the musth bull.

   - Musth bulls of higher rank can suppress the musth signs in lower-ranking males.

   - Bulls of equal rank tend to avoid direct confrontations with each other.

2.3. Agonistic Encounters:

   - Agonistic encounters during musth involve threat displays, chases, and minor sparring.

   - Full-on fights are rare, and conflicts are usually resolved through dominance displays and posturing.

Bull mating with a member of a female group

3. Mating Behavior in Elephants:

3.1. Mating Cycles:

   - Elephants are polygynous breeders, and copulations often occur during rainfall.

   - Female elephants signal their readiness to mate through pheromones in urine and vaginal secretions.

   - The oestrous cycle of a cow lasts 14-16 weeks, with distinct follicular and luteal phases.

3.2. Mate-Seeking and Mate-Guarding:

   - Bulls engage in mate-guarding, following oestrous females and defending them from other males.

   - Musth males predominantly perform mate-guarding, attracting females, especially older ones.

   - Musth appears to signal the condition of the male to females, as weak or injured males do not exhibit normal musth behaviors.

3.3. Copulation:

   - During copulation, the male rests his trunk on the female.

   - The elephant penis is mobile, allowing movement without pelvic thrusting or ejaculatory pause.

   - Copulation lasts about 45 seconds and involves unique positioning.

4. Homosexual Behavior:

   - Homosexual behavior is observed in both male and female elephants.

   - Males engage in playfighting and may form hierarchical relationships.

   - Female same-sex behaviors, such as mutual trunk masturbation, have been documented in captivity.

Conclusion:

Musth is a distinct hormonal state in male elephants that influences their behavior and dominance dynamics. Mating in elephants involves specific reproductive cycles and