Unexpectedly, a juvenile elephant takes a liking to its mom’s leftovers and starts snacking on them.

The unusual behavior of a juvenile elephant has sparked curiosity about the practice of coprophagia, which is the act of consuming feces. A baby elephant was seen displaying a keen fascination with his mother’s dung heap, going as far as kneeling down to take a substantial bite. He went on to thoroughly investigate the pile, and even resorted to using a stick as a makeshift toothpick to combat the taste.

Although some may find it repulsive, this behavior is frequently observed in various animal species like elephants, rhinos, hippos, and warthogs. Consuming feces, known as coprophagia, is vital for the well-being and growth of young animals in the wild, even though it is not commonly witnessed by humans in their native environments. Despite its unattractive nature, it serves as a significant component of their diet.

Step aside Dumbo, here comes Dung-Bo! Did you know that elephants are hindgut fermenters? This means that their food undergoes fermentation in the large intestine with the help of bacteria after passing through the stomach and small intestines. Interestingly, newborn elephants do not have the necessary gut bacteria to digest plants. They acquire these vital microbes by consuming the feces of their mother or other herd members as they transition to solid food while still nursing. Elephant dung consists mainly of water (75%) and indigestible fibers, along with live and dead bacteria, salts, mucus, and dead cells. The live bacteria in the feces play a crucial role in helping baby elephants develop their immune and digestive systems.

Many wild animals in Africa have a curious habit of consuming feces, which is known as coprophagia. Surprisingly, even baby elephants are known to engage in this behavior! While it may not sound appealing, there is a good reason behind it. Feces contain important minerals and salts that are essential for an animal’s health. For instance, hyenas consume bones, which leads to their feces being packed with calcium. Leopard tortoises then munch on hyena droppings to get the calcium needed for egg-laying and shell hardening. In the same way, rabbits and hares eat their own droppings to absorb nutrients that may have been missed during digestion. These animals have smartly adapted to this practice to make sure they get all the necessary nutrients for their well-being.