Elephants reduce vocalizations during high-risk situations, such as near humans or predators. This silence helps avoid detection. Herds often move quietly and tightly grouped during these times. Choosing silence requires awareness and control. Communication includes when not to communicate.
It matters because it reveals strategic behavior in elephants. They manage risk by controlling signals.
This mirrors tactical silence seen in human conflict scenarios. Elephants adapt communication to context.
Vocal activity resumes once perceived danger passes. The shift is sudden and coordinated across the herd.
Behavioral Ecology Journal (academic.oup.com)