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Temps Soar, but we keep it cool

Hello again, folks.  Since we’ve had the hot weather lately, I thought it might be a chance to show you how we keep it cool with our critters.  During the hot weather many of our animals save energy by taking it easy in the shade, or playing in the water in the exhibits.  As keepers, we also provide different treats and enrichment items to help the animals on display keep cool.  We use ice, popsicles, hoses and sprinklers to provide areas for the animals to escape from the heat.  The otters are very fond of puddles of ice to play in on exhibit as well as in kiddie pools.  Some animals enjoying playing or standing in the mist of a hose, while some animals enjoy playing with popsicles created out of items that are exciting to them, such as berries, frozen mice and rats, yogurt, or even extremely diluted sport drinks.

 

in order to keep the ambient temperature down in some of the exhibits, we will sometimes spray down the trees in the exhibits with hoses

In order to keep the ambient temperature down in some of the exhibits, we will sometimes spray down the trees in the exhibits with hoses

popsicles2

Ice, berries, fish and yogurt frozen in water to make popsicles are popular with critters when it heats up outside

To create popsicles, various items such as fish, rats, or fruit are added to a container and water added so they can be frozen later

To create popsicles, various items such as fish, rats, or fruit are added to a container and water added so they can be frozen later

popsicle water

Items are added to containers with water

popsicle freeze

Then the items are placed in the freezer to make the popsicles.

The otters love playing in ice on a hot summer day

The otters love playing in ice on a hot summer day

 

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