Evidently, it is addictive
@GardenGerty (157546)
United States
November 21, 2020 8:59am CST
I guess in Canada they are warning motorists not to let moose lick their cars.
The animals are licking the road salt from deicing efforts off of vehicles. They prefer to get it off the cars rather than off the tarmac.
Some people drive to those areas just to have the "Rocky Mountain Car Wash" and I just had to share the link. I saw this article on Yahoo.
I wonder if other animals are also doing this?
Maybe JJ tastes salty to Emoci?
Motorists in Florida occasionally need to keep an eye out for 12-foot, 463-pound alligators hanging out on the side of the road. Canadians have a different problem: moose that are addicted to licking road salt off of cars. It sounds silly, like a winter-th
18 people like this
17 responses
@marguicha (215331)
• Chile
21 Nov 20
I know that goats are always in desperate need of salt and that´s why they climb to some salty places in the mountains. Moose must be the same way.
5 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
21 Nov 20
I think many animals seek out salt. They said during pioneer days people had to keep their farm implements, like axes locked away because porcupines looking for salt would devour the handles of tools for the salt from sweaty hands.
2 people like this
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 20
Like @marguicha said, I think that's the reason why they lick it. It's like cow wanting to lick salt too.
I probably would freak out if moose try to lick my car.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
21 Nov 20
Here ranchers provide salt blocks for their cows and horses. Moose do not live near where I am, but deer will come to a salt block.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (62076)
• United States
21 Nov 20
Listen, I try to be a good citizen and obey the laws, but I absolutely REFUSE to argue with a moose. 
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
21 Nov 20
I bet you would not seek one out, though, to try to get it to lick your car.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (62076)
• United States
22 Nov 20
@GardenGerty — it helps the brine work at lower temperatures.
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
21 Nov 20
No, I would not challenge one. I know moose have their own regions although on occasion they even get as far south as Iowa and some other states. Usually a bull that is alone. I have only seen them in a zoo.
3 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Nov 20
Ok that's not something we would have considered to be a thing.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
21 Nov 20
You know, it would have never entered my mind at all.
3 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
22 Nov 20
@GardenGerty that would be like deer licking our cars. I can't see that ever happening
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
22 Nov 20
@MarshaMusselman Now, where I live the deer would be a possibility. I frequently see them in my neighborhood. If my car had been somewhere to get brine, they would come.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
21 Nov 20
I do not usually share these things, but you know, 2020, we need to think about something fun.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45475)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Nov 20
Yep, JJ's a salty ol' dog...
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (169865)
• United States
21 Nov 20
I guess it might be addictive but probably that road salt is not good at all for them to ingest.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
22 Nov 20
Nope, your neck of the woods is too warm for them, I am sure.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
22 Nov 20
That is why they wish people would not do it. It could be dangerous for people and for the moose.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
21 Nov 20
sadly the world 'tis filled with folks 'f this mentality.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
22 Nov 20
We are not kind to wildlife and do not protect them when we can.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
23 Nov 20
@GardenGerty 'tis very true. 'came my 'life mission' to see what can be done. educatin' folks who've not desire to learn though's been a major roadblock...
@Fleura (29114)
• United Kingdom
21 Nov 20
That is a bit odd, I don't think I'd drive there just to have my car licked but on the other hand it is a way to guarantee a close encounter I suppose! Hopefully it isn't that bad for the moose because, as they say, they can already lick the salt from the road surface.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
22 Nov 20
I hope there are no harmful chemicals in the salt spray. No, I would not go out of my way to do that. On our honeymoon we went to a drive through animal park. I got ostrich spit on the car windows. They would chase cars because they knew people bought food pellets and gave them out in the park. You had to stay in the car.
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
22 Nov 20
Animals like the salt that comes out when we sweat. Maybe some other "flavors" as well.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
22 Nov 20
It seems that the animals need the salt but obviously not in that way.
Hope they can keep them away from it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
23 Nov 20
I would hope they would have more natural sources. Also, when animals become to accustomed to people it makes it dangerous for both them and the people.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
23 Nov 20
@GardenGerty
Would hope that they can come up with something to help keep them away for their own safety.
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
23 Nov 20
Animals need salt. The problem is that this is bringing the wild animals into close contact with people which often does not end well for the animal. It ceases to be afraid and gets aggressive, etc. There is also a question about other additives to the salt that may make the moose ill.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
22 Nov 20
Not any worse than us licking peanut butter, ice cream, cookie dough, sauce, etc., with our fingers!!!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
22 Nov 20
The bad thing would be if the animals and people had a dangerous encounter or if there were other chemicals in the brine besides salt. Otherwise, you are right. It is like something that is "finger licking good."
