Dust Bath - Mammals

Mammals

Many mammals roll in sand or dirt, presumably to keep parasites away or to help dry themselves after exercise or becoming wet. A sand roll, which is a stall or yard covered with deep sand, is traditionally included as part of stable complexes for use by racehorses after exercise.

Dust bathing has been suggested to have a communicatory function in several mammals such as the degu, (Octodon degus), the long-eared jerboa, (Euchoreutes naso), and possibly in Belding's ground squirrel as they leave a "pungent" odor in the dust bathing areas. It has been suggested that wallowing (a behavior similar to dust bathing) may serve functions such as thermoregulation, providing a sunscreen, ecto-parasite control and scent-marking.

Mammals that perform dust bathing include:

• Bison
• Cape ground squirrel
• Chinchilla
• Domestic cat
• Degu
• Elephant
• Horse
• Jerboa
• Kangaroo rat
• Pig
• Prairie dog