Analogous laterality in trunk movements in captive African elephants: A pilot study

Area of Science:

• Ethology
• Comparative Psychology
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Lateralization of organ use is well-studied in primates but less understood in other species.
• Elephant trunk laterality has been observed primarily in feeding and social contexts under free conditions.
• The impact of task complexity on elephant trunk laterality remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of task complexity on trunk laterality in African elephants.
• To compare trunk orientation in standardized (constrained) versus free conditions.
• To identify novel trunk behaviors and their lateralization in elephants.

Main Methods:

• Six African elephants participated in the study.
• Trunk laterality was assessed in a standardized task involving granules presented near a trapdoor (constrained condition).
• Trunk laterality was also observed in unconstrained, free conditions.
• Behaviors and trunk orientation were systematically recorded in both conditions.

Main Results:

• All observed elephants displayed a consistent right-side preference for trunk use in both standardized and free conditions.
• Trunk side bias was significantly stronger in the standardized, more complex task.
• New lateralized trunk behaviors, including pinching, gathering, and exploration, were documented.

Conclusions:

• African elephants exhibit a dominant right-side trunk preference.
• Task complexity influences the strength of trunk laterality, supporting the task complexity theory.
• This study expands the understanding of elephant trunk laterality and introduces new behavioral observations.