A mineral lick also known as a salt lick is a place where animals can go to lick essential mineral nutrients from a deposit of salts and other minerals. Mineral licks can be naturally occurring or artificial such as blocks of salt that farmers place in pastures for livestock to lick. Natural licks are common, and they provide essential elements such as phosphorus and the biometals sodium , calcium , iron , zinc , and trace elements required in the springtime for bone , muscle and other growth in deer and other wildlife, such as moose , elephants , tapirs , cattle , woodchucks , domestic sheep , fox squirrels , mountain goats and porcupines. Such licks are especially important in ecosystems with poor general availability of nutrients. Harsh weather exposes salty mineral deposits that draw animals from miles away for a taste of needed nutrients.