Tapirs Clay Lick

This place is built in the hearth of the forest, from Bonanza Lodge takes 2 hours walking, mostly flat-trail. The structure is basic, and wooden made platforms, with 20 meters long, 6 meters of height, secured with wooden railings, wooden stairs with fixed handrails, this construction is very solid, from where we see animals during the night, and in front of it we have the salt-lick-muddy pool, bathroom service is not available.

Scientifically named geophagy, eating material directly from the earth is quite common and researchers have listed many animals behaving in this way. It has long been known that birds species, monkeys species, Tapirs and many other animals eat different types of clay. These various clay licks contain different chemicals, and an important chemical is a salt. Salt is vital for all animals to maintain a healthy nervous system as well as a healthy heart and muscles. This may be an additional explanation for the common although strange behavior. Frequently seen in documentaries, tapirs are a classic example of animals eating clay. They will go to great lengths to reach clay licks and either eat it, or cover themselves with it. Tapirs will track back to certain specific sites, suggesting they are looking for some particular chemical. Other records include monkeys eating termite mounds (containing clay as a major component). A suggestion for why they did this was to detoxify something they had eaten.

Toxins found in the fungus growing on some plants can cause numerous health problems like decreased milk and egg production, liver damage, and a lowered immune system. Clays have been suggested to neutralize these toxins so the animal can continue eating plants without side effects. When we look at animals engaging in this seemingly bizarre behavior, we can understand the activity by looking at our own behavior and medical history. It seems that many animals, including humans, have an ingrained or cultural knowledge for obtaining the many essential chemicals we require.