During drought, to cool the calf-not an everyday event. Steering calf by holding its tail. Calf following and holding mother's tail. Elicits immediate protective response from mother and other herd males. Note babies' clumsy attempts to use trunk.
Control develops gradually.
Play Calves very playful, especially at water. Solitary play by young calves. Trunk wrestling, shoving, butting, bullying other species. Usually males, beginning young and continuing to subadult stage. Response to Predators Alert posture standing with head raised, ears spread, tail raised, trunk raised or turned to catch scent.