Entwined Trunks

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These two adolescent males are exchanging greetings by gently winding their trunks around each others tusks.  Each bull also places the tip of his trunk in the others mouth.  These intimate greetings frequently escalate into sparring which serve to reinforce bonds between elephants and gives young males the opportunity to test each others strength.  Sparring is no doubt important in determining dominance rank in adulthood.