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So……when we refer to Maia ‘eating someone’s head’, this is what we’re talking about. It is not an uncommon behavior for Asian elephants- it can be playful, demonstrative, and everywhere in between. Maia doesn’t actually bite during this behavior, although we refer to it as ‘eating,’ she just has her mouth open. When Maia did it the other day, it started out as exploratory, but then she put a little more weight on Ramba’s head-not aggressive, just not soft. We asked her what she was doing, and she took her trunk down.

During all of this, Ramba is a willing participant. As we mentioned yesterday, she rumbled during it, not a totally contented rumble, but not an upset rumble either. It seems like Ramba knows that Maia isn’t the most gentle in her actions, but she still wants to be with her. Most of the time, it is Ramba who goes over to engage with Maia.

This behavior is something Maia would do with Guida as well, usually including an eye sucking or ear smelling. Guida was very accepting of it, and if she wasn’t in the mood, she would just walk out from underneath it. It’s not something all elephants are comfortable with, but Ramba doesn’t seem to mind.

November 7, 2019

READ MORE ON THEIR PAGES:

• Maia’s Page →
• Ramba’s Page →