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Zoo Animals Beat the Heat with Frozen Treats
24 May
Summary
- Animals use natural cooling tactics like licking wrists and seeking shade.
- Zoo keepers provide frozen blood lollies and fruit teas for big cats.
- Humboldt penguins have adaptations for warm climates but also use misting systems.
As warm weather approaches, zoo animals utilize a variety of natural methods to stay cool. Miniature wallabies lick their wrists, allowing saliva evaporation to cool blood vessels near the skin, while aardvarks and porcupines seek underground refuge. Eastern black rhinos and capybaras cool off in mud wallows, and big cats, elephants, and penguins take to their pools.
Zoos supplement these natural behaviors with innovative cooling solutions. London Zoo, for instance, features misting systems and fans to manage ambient temperatures. Big cats like lions and Sumatran tigers receive special frozen treats, such as blood-based ice blocks containing edible surprises, which also encourage natural behaviors.
Other animals benefit from similarly thoughtful provisions. Chimpanzees, bears, and red pandas enjoy fruit and vegetable ice lollies, while rhinos may receive refreshing showers. Gorillas are given ice blocks made from sugar-free fruit teas. The primary goal is ensuring each animal has choices to maintain comfort.
