title: Geochemistry of mineral licks at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
abstract: Although numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain geophagy, the primary driver of this behaviour remains elusive. Supplementation of scarce nutrients is one commonly cited explanation. We examined the element concentration of three licks relative to adjacent topsoils to infer the possible reasons for geophagy at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve. Lick samples had greater concentrations of B, Co, Zn, Se, Mo and Mn (Loskop Main Lick); Cu (Klopperskloof Lick); and Na (Klopperskloof Lick and Rhenosterhoek Lick) than those of adjacent topsoil. We suggest that supplementation with all or some of these nutrients is a likely driver of geophagy in this fenced reserve, with different licks providing herbivores with different suites of nutrients.
authors.affiliation: C4 EcoSolutions, 9 Mohr Road, Tokai, 7945, Cape Town, South Africa. jacqui.stephenson@c4es.co.za
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Eksteen
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Milewski
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Myburgh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D012987:Soil
references.citation: Anim Behav. 2000 May;59(5):899-915
references.pmid: 10860518