What does a zoo do for animals during severe frosts in winter?
Every year, as the cold weather approaches, the residents of our zoo prepare for winter. Heat-loving animals were transferred from summer enclosures to winter premises.
For example, hippos (Lat. Hippopotamus amphíbius) and Asian elephants (Lat. Elephas maximus) are transferred to the winter enclosures. During the summer the enclosures were repaired. The temperature in the winter room for elephants and hippos varies from +19 ° to +20 °C.
Houses with warm litter of straw and sawdust are especially important for the animals that remain in open enclosures in winter. Frosts are not dangerous for them, and in the house or under a canopy they can hide from the bad weather. These are the inhabitants of the ethnographic yard "Grandfather’s hut" and the inhabitants of the department of ungulates: deer, roe deer, camels and others. There are no drafts in winter enclosures. To keep the animals warm, only dry litter is used.
The inhabitants of the ornithological department, namely thermophilic birds, such as the black swan (Lat. Cygnus atratus), the demoiselle crane (Lat. Anthropoides virgo) and the Cape Barren goose (Lat. Cereopsis novaehollandiae) were transferred to the winter premises in autumn. The room temperature also ranges from +18 °C to +20 °C.
Houses with warm straw litter were built for cold-resistant birds left to swim in the ponds. The pond is equipped with special water compressors for water circulation, thanks to them in case of low temperatures the water will not freeze and the birds will be able to swim freely. The diet of birds has changed from summer to winter.
And some representatives of the carnivorous department like winter time very much. Snow and frost are very important for the polar bear (Lat. Ursus maritimus), because it supports their activity and causes natural behavior. And Siberian tigers (Lat. Panthera tigris altaica) feel great in winter. When the snow fell, they began to run, jump and swing in it.
Even the inhabitants of the African savannas, the lions (Lat. Panthera leo), have already partially adapted to the Ukrainian climate. So they walk quietly in a snow-covered enclosure.
Not only the zoo staff was preparing for winter, arranging warm enclosures and providing a diet. The animals themselves were preparing for winter. For example, some animals casted the coat in October-November. You can clearly see how the deer "warmed up". They have a thick beautiful undercoat, which helps to keep warm in the cold, facilitates heat retention and subcutaneous fat accumulated over the summer. Thicker fur has grown in camels.
The diet of all the inhabitants of our zoo is improved in winter. The diet is enriched with vitamins and minerals. So, the animals of Mykolaiv Zoo are well-groomed and feel good and have a good appetite…
If you decide to visit the animals of our zoo, dress warmer and come for a walk to us soon…