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Asian elephant from Dubbo Zoo. Elephants are communicating using infrasound in a very similar manner to human speech or singing. Elephants rely on a... more

by Miroslava Jurcik

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Teacher

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Miroslava Jurcik

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Asian elephant from Dubbo Zoo. Elephants are communicating using infrasound in a very similar manner to human speech or singing. Elephants rely on a complex communication system to sustain their clan-based society. At the root of it is a common language. Researchers like Joyce Poole has found that the elephants use more than 70 kinds of vocal sounds and 160 different visual and tactile signals, expressions, and gestures in their day-to-day interactions.
Vocal calls are likely the most common . Lets go rumble is one example. One rumble means "Hello, I'm here," another "Help, I'm lost"
One call researchers have just deciphered is the "contact call." This call helps elephants locate distant family members. The elephant seeking to make contact lets out a powerful reverberating sound, after which it lifts its head to listen for a response. If it receives one, it emits an explosive sound. The pattern is repeated, possibly for hours, until the elephant successfully rejoins her family. Any reunion of elephants is met with an exuberant greeting. The greeting ceremony, as it's called, is marked by trumpeting, screaming and rumbling.
Touching, caressing and smelling each other with their trunks also helps elephants maintain their social bonds.
Elephants rely on their varied and sophisticated means of communication not only to orient themselves properly in the world, but also to recognize, honor and somehow carry on the world of the past.

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October 3rd, 2014