answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

When they are in captivity this is a sign of psychosis. This is brought on because they are not in their natural habitat and their needs are not being met. Mostly because of the lack of space to roam.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

They are usually scenting whats going on around them,to check for danger and to locate other members of the herd,also it could be pure boredom
Mostly the reason why is the have to breath and also they sometimes don't know when their trunk is going to sway or they don't sometimes have control
There is no particular reason that elephants constantly move their trunks. But considering that there are over fourty thousand individual muscles in an elephant's trunk, and that they use them for just about everything, from scratching their eyes, to eating, to basic physical interactions with other elephants, it would be pretty hard for an elephant not to constantly move it's trunk.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

There is no particular reason that elephants constantly move their trunks. But considering that there are over fourty thousand individual muscles in an elephant's trunk, and that they use them for just about everything, from scratching their eyes, to eating, to basic physical interactions with other elephants, it would be pretty hard for an elephant not to constantly move it's trunk.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

because they're depressed and going insane due to captivity. they're too smart to be confined.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

to say hello

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Anonymous

Lvl 1
4y ago

because that's the way life is. When you got a lumpy head, you got a lumpy head.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why do elephants do trunk shakes when they first meet?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Zoology

What physical traits of an elephants help it meet its basic needs?

Elephants have a long trunk that helps them reach food and water, big ears to regulate body temperature, and thick skin for protection against predators and the sun. Their large size also gives them an advantage in defense against threats.


Do elephants eat carrots?

Yes, elephants can eat carrots in moderation as part of their diet. However, carrots should not make up a large portion of their overall food intake, as elephants require a diverse range of vegetation to meet their nutritional needs.


Do zoos feed elephants Christmas trees?

Some zoos may provide elephants with Christmas trees as enrichment items, but they are not a regular part of their diet. Elephants typically consume a diet of hay, fruits, vegetables, and specially formulated elephant pellets to meet their nutritional needs. Feeding them Christmas trees should be done under the guidance of zookeepers and nutritionists to ensure it is safe for the elephants.


Do elephants eat rocks?

Yes, elephants have been known to consume rocks and minerals as a source of minerals lacking in their diet, such as salt. This behavior, known as geophagy, is believed to help with digestion and possibly provide essential nutrients. However, consuming large amounts of rocks can be harmful to elephants' digestive system.


What do Sumatran elephants eat?

Sumatran elephants eat a variety of vegetation, including grasses, leaves, fruit, and bark. Their diet can also include crops like bananas and sugarcane, leading to conflicts with humans in agricultural areas. These elephants require a large amount of food each day to meet their nutritional needs.

Related questions

What are two need that elephants must meet?

elephants need water2. elephants need food3. elephants need airThis is what elephants need to survive.


What physical traits of an elephants help it meet its basic needs?

Elephants have a long trunk that helps them reach food and water, big ears to regulate body temperature, and thick skin for protection against predators and the sun. Their large size also gives them an advantage in defense against threats.


Four old friends meet if each one shakes hands with each of the others how many handshakes are altogether?

6


Do elephants eat carrots?

Yes, elephants can eat carrots in moderation as part of their diet. However, carrots should not make up a large portion of their overall food intake, as elephants require a diverse range of vegetation to meet their nutritional needs.


How to open a conv top for a Mercedes clk 430 manually?

To open a convertible top for a Mercedes CLK 430 manually, open the trunk. There is a switch located in the trunk if the driver's switch fails. The switch is located in the far reaches of the trunk next to where the top and the trunk meet.


What is erb's paralysis?

injury to the upper trunk of brachial plexus there are 8 nerve meet at erb's point


Are Asian elephants hunted?

No. Asian elephants are found in Asia, and Jaguars live in South America. They'd never meet in the wild. And even if you were to dream up something about escaped zoo animals, elephants are herbivores, plant eaters. An elephant might trample or gouge a jaguar, but wouldn't eat it.


Where does Athena meet Odysseus for the first time?

she first meet him in prison.


Do zoos feed elephants Christmas trees?

Some zoos may provide elephants with Christmas trees as enrichment items, but they are not a regular part of their diet. Elephants typically consume a diet of hay, fruits, vegetables, and specially formulated elephant pellets to meet their nutritional needs. Feeding them Christmas trees should be done under the guidance of zookeepers and nutritionists to ensure it is safe for the elephants.


Why don't elephants like penguins?

Elephants and penguins never meet. They live in completely separate parts of the world. If they did, both would likely keep their distance from the other, as a simple matter of staying away from something that might try to eat you.


Which came first meet the parents or meet the fockers?

No. "Meet The Fockers" Is the sequel to "Meet The Parents".


When does congress meet?

They meet on the first Monday in December.