Orphaned Baby Elephant Giving Herself a Dirt Bath Is Cute as Can Be
Lots of animals take dust baths, including birds, chinchillas, and horses. Elephants enjoy a restorative clay treatment now and then as well. Their trunks serve as the ultimate duster to give these big beasties a full-on spa day.
As the caption in the following video correctly calls it: "A moment of self-care with Joy [the baby elephant]! Watch as she uses her feet to loosen the earth before skillfully scooping up the dirt with her trunk. That happy little trunk wiggle at the end tells you everything you need to know!!" She's digging the dirt vibes during her baby elephant dust bath.
@elephanthavensfoundation A moment of self-care with Joy! Watch as she uses her feet to loosen the earth before skillfully scooping up the dirt with her trunk. That happy little trunk wiggle at the end tells you everything you need to know!! While it looks like pure play, this is actually a vital skill. A baby elephant's skin is thick but surprisingly delicate. By applying a layer of dirt, Joy is creating a natural barrier to protect herself from the sun's rays and pesky insects. We are so proud to watch her master these natural behaviors under our care. Thank you for supporting Joy's journey as she grows into a strong, confident elephant! Together we can protect orphaned elephants, follow us for more stories!
original sound - Elephant Havens
This baby elephant's body scrub doesn't just serve as entertainment for us. It helps her, too. We get more info from the rescue organization that took her in, Elephant Havens Wildlife Foundation: "While it looks like pure play, this is actually a vital skill. A baby elephant's skin is thick but surprisingly delicate. By applying a layer of dirt, Joy is creating a natural barrier to protect herself from the sun's rays and pesky insects."
So many of the commenters have been following Joy's journey and were delighted to see her living her best life. "OMG, our baby Joy is growing up so fast. I'll never tire of watching this gorgeous elephant," @Redcar64 exclaimed. @berger1966 added, "Such a smart girl." We couldn't agree more. But it was @Bedbug who had the best comment, "You are so sweet-thank you, Joy for being our precious baby elephant."
Related: Baby Elephant Practicing for the World Cup Is on Fire
Why Elephants Throw Dirt on Themselves
We might get a monthly manicure or a quarterly spa day as part of our grooming routines, and really, animals are no different. There are many clear benefits to grooming, including removing bacteria, getting rid of dead skin, and keeping fur or feathers in good condition. But elephants give themselves mud baths for another reason as well. According to Discover Magazine, "On hot days, they coat themselves in mud to stay wetter longer." It's possible Joy is just a bit warm and has decided to cool herself down with her mud-slinging habits.
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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 7:20 PM.