Ever wonder what happens to the zoo animals during these long winter months? Animal Care Advisor Dan Malone of the John Ball Park Zoo gives us a look at what the animals do during the snowy season.

Q: Where do the zoo animals go in the winter?

A: The animals that the zoo owns stay there year round. The animals that are owned by private companies like the camels and wallabies go back to their home farm in Oklahoma.

Q: What is the hardest part of keeping warm climate animals in a snowy state year round?

A: Keeping the animals from getting bored. They are kept in a smaller holding area during the winter so breaking up their day and keeping them entertained is important.

Q: Do the animals behave differently in the winter?

A: Some are more active than others. The North American species are actually more active during the winter months. The chimps go outside on nice winter days and play in the snow.

Q: How do the warm climate animals stay warm in the winter?

A: The winter buildings that they are kept in are heated and so are the aquariums. But a lot of the animals like to be outside!

Q: What do the animals do for exercise?

A: For the most part they do what they would normally do any other time of the year. Each animal gets to decide how much exercise they get.

Q: Which animal is the hardest to take care of in the winter?

A: The flamingos definitely. Their feet tend to dry out so we have to keep an eye on that. Animal’s skin drying is a common thing during the winter.