Holding or flattening the ears against the neck or body. This posture is most often seen when an elephant is running away or avoiding another. An elephant normally holds its ears in a relaxed position such that they rest approximately 10-30 cm from the side of the body with the tops of the ears level with the top of the head. In this relaxed position the ears do not appear stiff or tense, lifted, spread, or pressed against the body.

References: Kahl & Armstrong, 2000; Poole & Granli 2003 [Ear-Flattening]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Submissive