Musth or must (from Persian, lit. 'intoxicated') is a periodic condition in bull (male) elephants characterized by aggressive behavior and accompanied by a large rise in reproductive hormones. It has been known in Asian elephants for 3000 years but was only described in …

In this article, we’re going to explore exactly what musth is, what causes it, and what its impact is on elephants. What exactly is ‘musth’? Musth is a biological condition affecting all adult male elephants (also known as bull elephants) that occurs for 2-3 months each year.

Mar 18, 2017 · Generally characterised by the secretion of a hormone rich substance called temporin from the temporal gland (on either side of the elephant’s head) and a steady trickle of urine down the back legs of the elephant, musth involves a rise in the reproductive hormones in the elephant’s body.

Oct 30, 2020 · Musth is a bological condition unique to bull elephants during which its testosterone levels rise dramatically. On average the rise in testosterone levels can be 60x greater than in the same elephant during normal times.

Jul 13, 2023 · Elephant musth – a natural, yet extraordinary phenomenon that showcases nature’s raw intricacy. Musth triggers significant hormonal, physiological, and behavioral changes in adult male elephants, influencing everything from individual temperaments to …

Mar 12, 2023 · Musth is a phenomenon in bull elephants that occurs when reproductive hormones spike, which causes behavior changes to prioritize seeking out a mate. During musth, a bull's testosterone levels can increase by as much as 100x.

Feb 14, 2023 · Musth is a natural biological phenomenon in adult male elephants accompanied by high testosterone and temporin secretion, which causes the elephants to act dominant and aggressive. Musth occurs in male elephants that surpass the age of 10 to 15.

Male elephants display a unique, asynchronous sexual state called “musth.” Triggered by a testosterone surge, musth is an inter- and intrasexual reproductive signal and a driving force in elephant social organization. Musth is energetically taxing; males often turn to nutritionally rich foods in the form of human crops, thus increasing HEC.

Musth is a method male elephants use to demonstrate their viability as a sexual and reproductive partner. They are broadcasting their good genes and virility. One of the darker sides of musth is the effect it has on other males.

Males, however, enter a “musth period,” during which they secrete a fluid differing in viscosity from the fluid secreted when they are not in musth. Serum testosterone during musth is higher than in a nonmusth elephant, and the animal’s behaviour is erratic; they are uncontrollable (musth is Hindi for… Read More