ANIMAL
Cosy creatures
WINTER AT THE ZOO Pull out your warm woollies and embrace winter at the zoo. It’s the best time of year for finding cosy corners, seeing the active animals and participating in activities at Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. WORDS
Georgia Lejeune
PHOTOGRAPHY
Jo Howell
Preparing for winter Some animals go through significant changes in the lead-up to the colder months. You may see some of our animals growing extra fur, seeking out sunny spots and eating more as the temperature drops. Look out for some of these changes when you visit the zoos this winter.
AM ERI CAN BIS ON
SNOW LEOPA RD
Snow Leopards are made for the cold! Their thick white-grey coat with black rosettes is perfect for camouflaging in rocky habitats. As well as having a thick layer of fur to protect them from the cold, Snow Leopards use their furry tails to wrap around themselves to keep warm while sleeping during the colder months.
20
In the lead-up to winter, bison start growing an extra-thick woolly coat to protect them from the wind and cold. You may be able to spot the cape-like fur on their shoulders, a ‘bonnet’ of fur on their heads and a ‘beard’ under their jaws.
Look out!
You might spot the Snow Leopards at Melbourne Zoo curled up together on a ledge in the sun. These animals love winter and are often more active during the colder months.
