In and around the forest in Kabini, we come across many salt pits. A salt pit is a salt deposit that animals regularly lick. In an ecosystem, salt licks often occur naturally, providing essential minerals required in the springtime for bone and muscle growth in animals. Harsh weather exposes salty mineral deposits that draw animals from miles away for a taste of needed nutrients.

When a salt lick appears, animals travel from far distances to reach it, turning the salt lick into a sort of rally point where wildlife can be observed.

Bull Gaur (Bos gaurus)

Sometimes, people often create artificial salt licks to attract and maintain wildlife, be it for observation or photography purposes. During the safaris, we usually come across many such salt pits. They are used mainly by herbivores, so if you are a fan of the wild vegetarians, the most probable place to spot them would be by a salt pit.

Spotted Deer (Axis axis)

Ever imagined an elephant soaking in a bubble bath or a Deer relaxing in a pool of sea salt?

Elephant (Elephas maximus)

Sambar Deer (Cervus timorensis)

Well, maybe not exactly what you had imagined but close enough!

While the Elephant didn’t seem to mind a roll in the salt pit for an appetizer, the Sambar Deer decided to wallow in the mud and absorb all the nutrients into his skin.

Other than providing nutrients, the salt soothes their skin and provides relief from cutaneous (skin) irritations. In the wild, nothing can beat a relaxing soak on a hot and sultry day. It actually helps them cool off, much like a sea salt spa!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 4:07 pm and is filed under Herbivores. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.