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Soil ingestion is a common phenomenon among mammals, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, birds and humans worldwide. Geophagy or salt hunger is strongly influenced by climatic, geographic, and taxonomic factors. In Northern Darfur soil lick sites are regularly visited by Gazella dorcas, Gazella rufifrons and Gazella dama. Overhunting and habitat loss drastically reduced Dorcas gazelle numbers. This work tried to investigate the probable functions that attract Dorcas Gazelle to visit Geophagic soil sites. Forty seven actively licked sites of rocky nature were covered within Alkuma locality, south of Meidob Mountains series. The different postulations that stand behind soil consumption by animals and humans are fairly discussed. The analysis was carried by the best standard procedures. Soil texture, color, pH values, electrical conductivity, total soluble solids and minerals content were measured for each site. Twenty seven common elements were identified by ICP-OES analysis. The total findings are expressed in a scientific neat presentation followed by, significantly interesting new ideas, conclusion and recommendations.
About the author
Esraa Omer A. M. Gibla, docteur en chimie, professeur adjoint à temps partiel, faculté des sciences, université soudanaise des sciences et technologies et université Karrary, faculté d'ingénierie.
