Meet the Zoo: Baby, It’s Cold Outside

The zoo is beautiful in the winter, especially when there is a light dusting of snow on the bare trees. But for some of our animals, it’s difficult to adjust to the change in temperature.

One tool the zoo uses to keep animals warm is “hot rocks.” These artificial orbs are constructed with special heating coils inside.  When turned on, these rocks stay warm and provide a place for animals to sit or sleep on during the day. Prospect Park Zoo’s have several of these in their outdoor exhibit and enjoy spending time on them in cold weather.

But other animals don’t mind the cold. On a snowy day on the Discovery Trail, visitors can see our , native to China, and North American , found in the Northeast and Canada, peacefully napping in their trees and sometimes dusted with snow.  In severe weather, keepers allow these animals to choose whether to stay in their exhibits or go inside to their heated night quarters. And the are natural snow lovers, using it to toboggan on their bellies.

Animals housed in the indoor exhibits have different needs during cold weather. In one building, our require a cool exhibit, even in winter, but their exhibit neighbors, the South American tamarin monkeys, require a warm environment year round. In the same area, the Amazonian have their own specific water temperature needs.  Staff members need to monitor temperatures throughout the day to ensure that all the exhibits are kept at the optimum level for the animals that live there.

The care of zoo animals is a science that involves knowledge about an animal’s natural history and behavior, but their care is also dependent on the teamwork of the keeper staff and the professional mechanics who maintain their life support systems. From clearing snow and chipping ice, to adjusting interior temperatures for a diverse group of animals (and guests), the Prospect Park Zoo’s staff work together to make sure everyone stays comfortable throughout the winter.