Natural salt licks as a part of the ecology of the mountain goat

Abstract

Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) occupying the Rocky Mountain Trench area of southeastern British Columbia use natural earth licks in the spring (males) and early summer (females). Analysis of range vegetation reveals a low sodium content (mean about 0.004% dry weight). Despite low sodium intake from feed, blood sodium values were normal (m = 150.8 meq/liter). Loss of sodium via the fecal route increases abruptly in the spring. This period of increased loss corresponds with the lime of use of the natural licks. Mineral constituents of the licks were Ca (1050–85 000 ppm), P (0–25 ppm), and Na (115–5500 ppm). Each animal visited the lick but once during the summer and did so despite increased exposure to hazards of predation. Despite the low soil sodium content the inference is that the goats are eating the earth to compensate for Na deficiency.