The feeding behavior of wild elephants is our best guidance for feeding them in captivity. Caretakers of captive elephants (mahouts) should replicate natural feeding opportunities as closely as possible. Because wild elephants can eat for 14 to 18 hours a day, elephants should be allowed to feed during the long hours of idle time rather than being chained with nothing to eat or manipulate. Elephants working in the tourist industry are sometimes rewarded with excessive amounts of high-sugar foods from tourists. While enjoyable for elephants and people alike, such foods are contrary to the elephant's natural diet of high-roughage, low-calorie grasses. Large quantities of fruits and vegetables should not be fed other than as a component of medical care and as rewards in training. All food sources should be free of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals to avoid food contamination. Elephants may enjoy carbohydrates, such as rice or bread, but starchy foods should be used sparingly. Just as with people, high caloric intake can produce excessive weight gain, which is a contributing factor to debilitating conditions such as arthritis and foot problems. Finally, foods not available in the wild (or eaten only rarely) lack the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients necessary for good health, so when in our care, the goal is to give them what they need to stay healthy.