It is no secret that elephants love water, and their visits to waterholes make for great sightings. As this video shows, their affinity for water begins at an early age and plays a role in their social development.
Nicole Walker submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed it at Kapama Game Reserve in northeastern South Africa.
Daily waterhole ritual
As Nicole’s video begins, we’re met with a sight that, while common, promises good value. A herd of African elephants is visiting a waterhole.
Depending on water availability, this is a twice-daily ritual for elephants. It is a time to drink, bathe, and socialise.
Main attraction
Immediately, our attention is drawn to two young calves standing at the water’s edge. While the adults methodically slake their thirsts, the calves are more interested in fooling around.
Both calves are probably less than a year old, although the one in the front is slightly larger. You’ll also note that when elephant calves drink, they kneel to use their mouth, as depicted in the image above.
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I’m trying to study
Subsequently, we see that the smaller calf is far more playful. It constantly cajoles its sibling, hoping it will take the hint to play.
However, the larger calf seems far more interested in imitating its elders as they use their trunks to draw up to 10 litres of water at a time.
Mother shows a rare anomaly
Consequently, the smaller calf’s mother arrives to keep a lid on things. Gently using her trunk, she guides the larger calf towards its mother.
As an interesting aside, the mother elephant is an albino. Take a close look at her pink eyelids, trunk, and toenails. This rare anomaly occurs in only one in 10,000 births.
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Social complexities
As the larger calf moves to its mother’s side, the smaller one tries to follow, not yet attuned to the social complexities that ensure cohesion within the group.
Consequently, although its mother tries to restrain it…
She then decides to let him find out for himself.
Sure enough, the elder calf’s mother leads it away.
In excellent company
Being the intelligent creature that it is, the calf gets the hint and returns to splash at its mother’s feet.
However, when Mom turns her back and more elephants arrive, the youngster goes looking for a new playmate.
Although the new arrivals indulge the boisterous calf, they’re more interested in having a drink. And this seems to remind the calf that it’s been a while since its last feed.
Accordingly, it tries suckling from the nearest cow. However, as soon as it realises it is not its mother, the calf walks underneath her, in search of Mum.
All of these behaviours will be instrumental in the calf’s understanding of its place in its community. Thankfully, his herd is tolerant and gentle, allowing him to forge bonds that may last the rest of his life.