Although elephants may look tough with their thick hides, their skin is actually sensitive and can get sunburned. Hence, in order to counteract the harmful rays of the sun, they like to seek shade, and throw mud or sand on themselves. The layer also helps elephants protect themselves from insects and parasites.

Here are three photos by photographer Franco Cappellari that show the elephants enjoying a dust shower in the Etosha National Park in Namibia.

(Top image via VCG)

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