As temperatures climbed across Wiltshire, some of Longleat’s largest residents found the perfect way to stay cool — by covering themselves in mud.
The estate’s crash of Southern white rhinos has been making the most of mud baths and cooling showers as warm weather settled over the county.
While their thick skin may appear tough, rhinos are surprisingly vulnerable to the effects of strong sunshine and high temperatures. Keepers say mud plays an important role in helping protect the animals while also keeping them comfortable during hotter periods.
Ian Turner, Senior Keeper at Longleat, explained why the animals are so fond of wallowing.
“While rhinos have thick and leathery skin, it is still very sensitive and the mud acts as sun cream to protect them,” he said.
“Our rhinos love a mud bath, as you can see from the video and photographs.”
The thick coating of mud helps shield the animals from the sun’s rays while also providing relief from biting insects. As the mud dries, it can help remove parasites and dead skin when it flakes away.
Visitors to Longleat can see the rhinos as part of the attraction’s popular Drive-Through Safari, where the animals roam in a large open enclosure designed to replicate aspects of their natural environment.
The Southern white rhino is one of the largest land mammals in the world, with adult males capable of weighing more than two tonnes.
This year is a significant one for the Wiltshire attraction, with the Drive-Through Safari celebrating its 60th anniversary. Since opening in 1966, it has become one of the county’s best-known visitor destinations and was the first drive-through safari park to open outside Africa.
For many guests, seeing the rhinos enjoying a cooling mud bath has become one of the highlights of a summer safari visit — and judging by the recent weather, the animals seem more than happy to stay muddy for a little while longer.
