Thursday, November 12, 2009

Why do burros roll?


George and Alan roll around in the dirt a lot, taking several dirt baths every day. It's a burro thing. They've identified many bathtubs around the ranch where the soft dirt is optimum for their daily soaks – no rocks 'n roll for them.


When one burro starts to roll, the other is sure to follow. It's like asinine synchronized swimming. Rolling isn't all fun and games, though; it serves a variety of purposes.

Rolling helps restore the insulating properties of their coats.


And coating themselves with dirt helps repel biting insects.


Rolling also helps them shed their coats from season to season.


But most of all, rolling just feels good.


33 comments:

  1. Too funny! That last one looks like a burro imitating a kangaroo.

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  2. And Burros rolling make all their fans smile so early in the morning..........thank you, boys !

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  3. Rolling feels so good to George that he got sidetracked into a nap!

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  4. I absolutely LOVE this series of pictures ... how cute are they rollin' around like that, and the last picture is the best yet! Thanks for the explanation too!

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  5. and how else could we see their sweet little fuzzy bellies?

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  6. Dual rollers. Love it! They are such photogenic little guys!

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  7. Those are great pictures and I am glad to have found your blog! I am learning things which is always good for the brain, have a good day!

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  8. Oh yeah...I can relate to that! There's nothing like a good roll in the dirt!
    Bruce the cat:)

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  9. I think you're well on your way to getting them to "play dead".

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  10. love the rollin burros...great photos...

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  11. They are just so cute! Love that last shot!

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  12. Carson, if this blog does not increase burro rescues then I don't know what in the world will. It's definitely convinced me if I ever get a couple of acres, I WILL HAVE BURROS! Thanks for sharing.

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  13. No matter what they do, they are just too cute doing it...
    I received my G&A calendar the other day. Love it! It's hanging next to my work bench.
    Bridget

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  14. Rock and Roll!!!

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  15. The last picture could not be more adorable!

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  16. Are you SURE George is rolling? He looks to be in EXACTLY the same position in each picture! [Or did you do some creative photo-shopping?]
    Nice sequence, as always.

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  17. EvenSong, by the time I started snapping pictures, George had completed his roll and stayed on his back until Alan was finished with his - over a minute according to the data in the camera. And I thought only dogs did that...

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  18. The last picture is priceless. We've got a lot of rock and rollers around here too. It always makes me smile when I see them on their backs really digging in.

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  19. love, love, love, love these photos.

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  20. I love that last one, too cute.

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  21. They are such characters :)

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  22. It doesn't look like George is doing a whole lot of rolling there. He looks pretty blissed out though. Enjoying the moment. Very zen.

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  23. yup our equines like nothing more than a good post ride roll... shakey quakey follows and they're good 2 go

    gp in very snowy montana!

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  24. What adorable "dogs"!!!!

    My cat does the same thing, just not in dirt. She rolls and stretches on the carpet, but her favorite spot is on concrete.

    Nancy in Iowa

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  25. It's true - that last shot does look like a burro imitating a kangaroo!! Crazy!

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  26. OMG they make it look like so much fun I want to try it!!

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  27. Those two are hilarious. They are just like my twin grandchildren--Monkeysee and Monkeydo!!!

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  28. So does this mean we are in for quite a winter?? Love these photos!!

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  29. I *love* that George just hung out there, all comfy, on his back until Alan was finished. That's a true friend. :-)

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  30. So THAT'S how the word "asinine" is meant to be used!

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  31. You nailed it! And it doesn't have to be dusty, my guys are rolling in the MUD...ugh.

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  32. Reminds me of my Golden Retriever grand-dogie wanting his tummy scratched. Not sure if burros would like that, though.

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