Winter visitors often find that when the temperature drops, many of the animals become more active outdoors.  For the cold-challenged, there are also an abundance of indoor habitats to enjoy.  Either way, you’re always just minutes away from warmth on your winter journey through the Zoo. 

Start by waddling to the Penguinarium to watch the king, macaroni and rockhopper penguins swim through their three-sided habitat.  From there, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump to the National Amphibian Conservation Center, an award-winning habitat the Wall Street Journal called “Disneyland for toads”.  Next, stop at the Ford Education Center and board the Wild Adventure Ride to experience the country’s first zoo-based virtual reality voyage.

Brace yourself for a trek along the Mall Road and, if Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, warm up at the Arctic Food Court with a cup of hot cocoa.  Then, wend your way over to the wolverines – the mascot of our great state – and the winter-hardy Asian wild horses.  Follow the trail west to meet a couple of the Zoo’s newer residents, two American bison yearlings who share a habitat with an 8-year-old bison and six collared peccaries. 

Lumber on over to the bear dens, home to a Syrian brown bear, two North American black bears and four grizzlies.  The bears get sleepy in the winter, but can be seen foraging outdoors on nicer days.  Then, saunter on over to the giraffe house, where the warm indoor habitat provides a close-up view of the Zoo’s tallest creatures.  Next, charge on over to see two white rhinos, who can be enjoyed through the winter months from their indoor viewing area. 

While you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to check out the Zoo’s newest indoor habitat, Meerkat Digs.  Next door you’ll find the black-and-white ruffed lemurs and, just around the corner, the Japanese macaques.  Whether they’re playing in the snow or relaxing on the edge of their hot tub, the snow monkeys’ behavior and social interactions are always entertaining.  Then, turn around and meet the king – of the jungle, that is.  The lions can be seen surveying the Zoo from atop their cliff throughout the year. 

The majestic Amur tigers can be found just a short jaunt away, along with their neighbor, a red panda.  Winter is a good time of year to spot this agile climber hanging from branches or lounging on tree limbs in his wooded habitat.  Swing back around to the Great Apes of Harambee, where chimpanzees, Western lowland gorillas and drills go bananas on tires, branches and ropes in the habitat’s spacious dayrooms. 

Proceed to the Arctic Ring of Life, where the 70-foot-long Frederick and Barbara Erb Polar Passage immerses you in an underwater environment of swimming polar bears and seals.  This popular exhibit is undergoing improvements throughout the winter months, so be sure to check www.detroitzoo.org before your visit for scheduled maintenance updates.

Once back on the Mall Road, slither on over to the Holden Museum of Living Reptiles to see over 85 species of crocodilians, snakes and lizards.  Then, dive into the Mardigian river otter habitat to watch the two adorable residents play in their 8,200-gallon pool.  From there, it’s a short flight to the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, where the popular Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden is a balmy 75 degrees and the Free-Flight Aviary provides a tropical environment for over 30 species of birds.   

Before you leave, be sure to stop at Zoofari Market for a cozy sweatshirt or a souvenir mug perfect for a hot winter beverage.  You can also replace the calories you just burned with some homemade fudge or a specialty coffee from the Fudge Shop.

So, don your cold-weather wear and hop, fly, lumber, saunter, waddle or simply walk through the Detroit Zoo for a fun day in a “wild” winter wonderland.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October.  Admission is $11 for adults 13 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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