Oh Baby - Baby Rhino Tries Wallowing

Oh Baby! Being a baby rhino means exploring everything! And our rhino calf's curiosity intensifies as he grows!
This week the keepers were able to fully hose down the stalls for the first time since his birth. Although this is a normal task for keepers, it was an exciting new experience for our little one!
After checking out the hose and watching the keepers clean, he found a puddle that had formed in the back of the stall and practiced “wallowing”. He would splash in the puddle, then flop down and roll on his side to try to get as wet as possible.
Wallowing is a natural behavior for rhinos. Laying, rolling and playing in mud helps protect their skin from bugs and the sun, as well as cool them down. In the summer our adult rhinos spend a good portion of their day wallowing in the mud outside. Right now our rhino calf can use this time inside to perfect his skills before he experiences the muddy wallows this summer!