Winter is the best time to see cold weather animals at their most active.
Many of the animals that call Cat Tales home are our native species including cougars, bobcats, lynx, red fox, coyote, wolfdogs, and black bears. Our Siberian Tigers enjoy the winter weather. (They are native to Siberia, after all…) All our other cats, though we think about them living in warm climates, grow thick fur for colder weather and are very active in the winter.
Most of our guests come out in the warmer weather, but the animals with fur coats prefer to sleep when the temperatures are what we, as “short furred” humans, consider comfortable.
Some of the drawbacks to a winter visit include colder temperatures, snowy or icy pathways, and the occasional grumpy others who don’t enjoy the cold. These are obstacles that are easy to overcome by dressing warm and wearing good boots, gloves, and a hat.
We do provide warmth for those inside moments and invite you to grab a hot drink and snack, souvenir shop, and visit our “Cats of the World” Museum. Once your fingers and toes are warm again, it is time to go on a Big Cat or Black Bear Adventure.
Photo opportunities abound, especially when the snow is fresh. (We can’t do much for the visuals when the snow becomes “dirty”.) The animals are quite active, especially at feeding time, so you might want to consider video.
When we have clear access and all the safety concerns have been address, our staff may offer the occasional “behind the scenes” glimpse into the zookeeper only areas or snap a photo for you of animal cuteness.
For those who don’t mind the cold and would like to volunteer their time to help us with winter maintenance and clean up, feel free to let us know. We could use the help for the comfort of not only the animals, but for our guests.
To keep up on wintertime specials and events – follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/cattaleswildlife or on Instagram @cattaleswildlife https://www.instagram.com/cattaleswildlife