A salt lick, also called a mineral lick, is a place where animals go to lick the the salt and other minerals that have formed a deposit on the ground. It is naturally occurring. A salt lick is white.

Animals benefit from the minerals, such as phosphorus, sodium, calcium, iron, magnesium, sulphur, potassium, and zinc.

The minerals help to develop healthy bones and muscles.

Animals that prefer salt licks include antelopes, elephants, lions, moose, tapirs, cattle, sheep, goats, foxes, squirrels, and porcupines.

Salt pans, also called salt flats, are large areas of ground covered with salt and other minerals. They are found in deserts and are naturally occurring. A salt pan is white.

Salt pans are where there was once water. The water has evaporated to leave salt and minerals. Salt pans can be dangerous, as the crust of salt is covering mud below, which can be quite deep.

Salt licks are small areas of salt on the ground, which can occur in many regions (mostly dry regions), whereas salt pans are much larger areas of evaporated water in deserts.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM