In this footage, we see a herd of elephants really enjoying a roll in the soft mud. However, the behaviour is a lot more important than just being an opportunity to fool around.
Marguerite Strydom submitted this amusing footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed the action in South Africa’s Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Elephants at an embankment
As we join the action in Marguerite’s video, we see several elephants around a small embankment. To the right, a youngster lies on its side.
To its left, an adult female extends her trunk towards the calf, leading us to wonder if something is wrong with it. Also evident is the disturbed moist earth at their feet.
Strange behaviour
Thankfully, the youngster’s ear flaps, indicating that it is alive. But why is it lying on its side?
Subsequently, the adult in the foreground moves, revealing what the elephants are up to.
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Covered in mud
As she crests the embankment, the adult drops her belly to the damp sand and deliberately drags her hind legs through it.
Meanwhile, the calf continues rolling on the ground. Both animals are trying to cover their bodies with mud.
Serious business
As the cow finishes coating her belly, she moves to reveal two small calves also enjoying a mud bath. But, as she turns, the cow raises her trunk at another adult, trying to intimidate it.
At first, it is unclear why she is doing this, as the other animal was minding its own business. Clearly, mud bathing is something elephants take quite seriously.
In fact, it is vital to their survival. Since they don’t have sweat glands, elephants use water, mud, and dust as a cooling agent.
Consequently, when the other adult gives way, the cow continues her skincare routine by rubbing her chest against the sticky sand. Despite its coarse appearance, elephant skin is surprisingly sensitive.
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Other cooling methods
As the video cuts to a new scene, we see two adults fanning their ears. This is another method by which elephants cool themselves.
Look closely at the back of an elephant’s ear, and you’ll see a network of veins under the thin skin. As the elephant flaps its ears, the blood in these veins is cooled.
Besides helping to cool them, dust and mud bathing also helps protect their skin from the sun. Additionally, it helps control parasites.
Benefits of communal bathing
Over and above the health benefits, communal bathing is an opportunity for elephants to socialise. As highly intelligent, social creatures, elephants create lasting relationships with other members of their herds.
In effect, by engaging in behaviours together, the herd’s cohesion is enhanced. And when you’re living in a hostile environment, it is always good to know who your friends are.