The national holiday is an ideal time for Zoo visitors to check out the Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, who can often be seen basking in the warm steam from their hot tub on a frigid day.   The Amur tigers, wolverines, red pandas, Asian wild horses, elk and bison also adapt well to cold, snowy weather.  Monday’s forecast is calling for temperatures in 20s with the chance of snow showers. 
 
A popular attraction in any type of weather is the Arctic Ring of Life with its 70-foot underwater Frederick and Barbara Erb Polar Passage providing spectacular views of swimming polar bears and seals.  For a more tropical experience, visitors can take refuge in the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden – where the temperature is always a cozy 75 degrees – and the adjacent free-flight aviary.

Other indoor experiences at the Zoo include the National Amphibian Conservation Center, Penguinarium, Holden Museum of Living Reptiles, Great Apes of Harambee, Mardigian River Otter Habitat and Meerkat Digs.  The giraffe, white rhino, lemur and farm animal habitats also have indoor viewing areas.

Special maps are available at the admission gate to help guests plan their winter visit to the Detroit Zoo.

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 15 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 14; 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. Admission is free.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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