Mara the Picky Eater

Mara has been a very selective eater for a long time. We aren’t sure when it began, but she was quite picky when she arrived. With her recent intermittent appetite, figuring out what Mara will eat each day is a bit of a full-time job.

For example, just in terms of watermelons, she didn’t want any part of them for a while. Then she would eat it only if there was no rind or white flesh attached. If any white remained, she would pick it off or throw the entire piece to the side. Then she started eating it, sliced, with the rind attached. Now, sometimes she likes it whole, but only to bite it open, eat out the flesh, and leave the rind. Rana is usually quite happy to eat the remaining bits.

Sometimes, like with watermelons, her desires will evolve over weeks. Other times, it changes quickly from day to day, and sometimes meal to meal. We offer her a wide array of food each time because we never know what she will like, and she tends to find at least one food that lives up to her standards that day.

Video of Mara enjoying a watermelon in the rain.

Comments(10)

Melinda Barnett says
January 4, 2021 at 4:05 pm
She’s a lot like my kids!
Nancy Shaw says
January 4, 2021 at 4:10 pm
Is she a Teenager !?!
Jillyp says
January 4, 2021 at 4:11 pm
Ah Mara, so much to choose from now you have your humans wrapped around your little toe ????????
The sound of the rain is wonderful. I always think of hot balmy days when I think of the eles ? ☀️but I’m sure they love the cool rain ??
Kelejan says
January 4, 2021 at 5:42 pm
At least with the uneaten melon and other fruit the scraps will never be wasted as they will decompose and go back to Mother Earth.
SHEILA says
January 4, 2021 at 8:55 pm
MARA. ? I SAW U THROW ??WATERMELLON OVER UR RIGHT SHOULDER‼️ OH DEAR U R NOT DOING A GOOD JOB ON UR NOURISHMENT MARA‼️ WE ARE ALL WORRIED ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WASTING SUCH A GOOD TASTING FRUIT YOUNG LADY, I THINK YOU NEVER HAD TOO MANY FRUITS IN ZOO! HOPE U GET OVER THIS PICKYNESS SOON DEAR MARA! U NEED TO KEEP UR GIRLY FIGURE IN GOOD SHAPE?
Sallie says
January 5, 2021 at 1:41 am
WOWZERS, MISS MARA! QUITE THE ENTERTAINER WITH A WATERMELON! LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MORE OF YOUR CREATIVITY! BRAVO! GOTTA GIVE YOU HIGH FIVES FOR YOUR CHOICE OF ONLY THE BEST PARTS OF A WATERMELON! LET CLEANUP GIRL RANA, HAVE ALL THE RINDS! YOU WILL BE FRIENDS FOREVER!
Rosie P says
January 5, 2021 at 3:28 am
Thank you for caring so much about her. Mara’s “picky” appetite is a concern but you persevere. It’s reassuring to know that she is in good hands.
Carol Anderson says
January 5, 2021 at 1:20 pm
When my nephew was little he would only eat spaghetti. He grew out of it finally.
Cindy Norman says
March 10, 2021 at 4:34 am
I’m going to be selfish and ask for longer videos. With me, the 2 and 3 minute videos don’t give me a chance really to figure out what and who I’m looking at. Other than that, I’m so proud of the sanctuary you give to thes poor elephants .
?
- REPLY
  sara says
  March 10, 2021 at 12:06 pm
  We are always trying to get good videos that capture everyone’s personalities. If you want to browse through some of our other videos, you can always visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF_dHEaqYa4SeefhcrGgTvA

How To Help

Adopt an Elephant

Donate Today

GSE Merchandise

Elephant Wishlists

Blog