Just like we adjust our greetings based on who we’re interacting with — whether it’s a hug for a close friend, a handshake for a business associate, or a head nod for a stranger — elephants do the same. A recent study reveals that elephants’ greetings are more nuanced than we previously believed.
The study, which focused on African savannah elephants in Zimbabwe, identified 20 different types of gestures used during greetings, such as ear flapping and trunk reaching. Researchers also noted various vocalizations, including rumbles, roars, and trumpets, along with the significance of smell and eye contact.
These diverse greetings serve specific purposes in the elephant social hierarchy, according to lead study author Vesta Eleuteri. “Animal greetings help mediate social interactions by, for example, reducing tension and avoiding conflict, reaffirming existing social bonds, and establishing dominance status using different behaviors,” she explained to Reuters.
Curious to see these interactions in action? Watch heartwarming footage of elephants at a nature park meeting a new baby rescue.
