Mud-Wallowing

Lying in and rolling about in mud or muddy water. Engaged in by all age/sex groups, ostensibly to keep cool and/or protect against biting insects. Among musth males Mud-Wallowing is unusually vigorous and is associated with numerous musth behaviors, such as Trunk-Curling, Ear-Waving, Musth-Rumbling and is part of a musth display.

References: Douglas-Hamilton 1972: 82 illustration [Wallowing]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Maintenance

Mud-Wallowing

Context: Maintenance (1)

A young female Mud-Wallows with her days old infant. This is likely the first time the infant has Mud-Wallowed and appears to delight in the experience. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Mud-Wallowing

Context: Maintenance (2)

Selengei and her family engage in Mud-Splashing and Mud-Wallowing. The mud wallow appears to be too small for the adults and a couple of juveniles lie down to Mud-Wallow while Selengei and others Mud-Splash. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Mud-Wallowing

Context: Maintenance (3)

A family of elephants engage in Mud-Splashing and Mud-Wallowing. A mother and her small infant Mud-Wallow. The infant appears excited when its mother lies down and looks to want to Climb-Upon her but doesn't. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Mud-Wallowing

Context: Maintenance (4)

A calf and juvenile female belonging to Big Mama engage in Mud-Wallowing. Originally filmed in slo-mo there is no audio. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Mud-Wallowing

Context: Maintenance (5)

The NDs and Nastya in estrous with accompanying males stop to Mud-Splash at a waterhole on the edge of Lengkolong. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Mud-Wallowing

Context: Maintenance (6)

Abra and others are engaging in Mud-Wallowing. Abra gets right down on her side in the deepest part of the wallow. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Mud-Wallowing

Context: Maintenance (7)

Juveniles and calves squeeze together in a mud-wallow. (Amboseli, Kenya)