An Elephant Smoking

Ever seen an elephant smoking? Well, me neither—until now! It’s incredible what one’s imagination can conjure up when watching animals. The truth is, they weren’t really smoking, just indulging in a bit of dust and sand to satisfy their hunger for nutrition.

The Practice of Geophagia in Elephants

I was fortunate to observe a small herd of elephants engaging in what we call Geophagia—the practice of eating soil. Research has shown that animals participate in this behavior when they lack certain nutrients or minerals. Who would have guessed that finely grounded sand could hold so much value for animals?

By Pierre van As