The brown mare Kengála and her chestnut-starred foal Rasmus have arrived for their summer stay at Reykjavík Park & Zoo. The foal is sired by Þytur from Skáney.
Mares carry their foals for 11 months, and when a mare gives birth, it is said that she “casts” her foal. Typically, a mare gives birth to one foal at a time, although twins are known to occur. Like other mammals, foals initially feed on their mother’s milk, known as colostrum, and they are usually on their feet within an hour of birth to nurse. A pregnant mare is said to be “in foal,” and a mare that is nursing a foal is referred to as a “nursing mare.” When the foal reaches one year of age, it is called a “yearling” until it turns three years old.
The animal keepers kindly remind visitors to treat the young animals, as well as all other residents of the park, with the utmost respect and care.
