Special information on How things get down...on Elephant
How things get down... • During courtship, a male and a female elephant will rub their bodies on each other and even wrap trunks. The females tend to run away from the males and he will have to pursue her. This game of cat and mouse can continue for a long time before actual mating occurs. • Males go through periods of “musth,” where hormonal surges create behavior changes. The periods of musth are necessary for natural herd dynamics and successful breeding. • Male elephants fan their ears more when they are ready to mate than at other times. This allows them to get their scent out there at a wider distance to attract potential mates. • The females are ready to breed when they are about 14 years of age