We were sure the storm had ruined our safari at Animal Kingdom. Then the elephants walked straight into the mud and started having the time of their lives.
Walt Disney World logo used with permission. Abby's Labs is independent of Disney and was not paid for this story.
When we climbed onto the safari truck at Animal Kingdom, the sky went dark and it started to pour. Proper Florida rain, the kind that bounces.
I was a bit gutted. I thought every animal would hide.
## The elephants had other ideas
Instead, the elephants walked straight into the biggest, muddiest puddle and started splashing it all over themselves. Even the babies joined in.
It turns out mud is a big deal for an elephant. Their skin is thick but surprisingly sensitive. A coat of mud keeps them cool, protects them from the sun and makes it harder for insects to bite. So a rainy day is basically a spa day.
## The rhino did not care about us at all
Further along, a rhino was grazing right beside the track. It did not even look up.
Our guide told us rhinos have poor eyesight. They cannot really see things far away, so they rely on a brilliant sense of smell and hearing instead. We were being quiet, and I think it decided we were not worth bothering about.
## Why this is not just a zoo
What I did not know before is that the animals are not just there for us to look at. The park takes part in breeding programmes that help protect endangered species, and the savanna is built so the animals have space to behave the way they would in the wild, like rolling in mud.
## What I learned
The weather we think is bad can be exactly what an animal wants. Next time it rains, I am going to watch what the birds in the garden do instead of staying inside.