Glorious mud

In the scorching heat of Africa, an adult elephant needs to drink a staggering 200 litres of water a day, just to survive. Elephant families share their favourite drinking spots with other elephants, so as well as slaking their thirst, the river provides a focus for their social life. Rolling in the mud may look good fun, but it also provides excellent protection against the African sun. So with a bellyful of water, and a coat of sunscreen, the elephants head off towards the blistering savannah.