Keeping it cool at Hogle Zoo
From icy treats to shaded retreats, see how we help animals beat the heat
When temperatures rise, animal care at Utah’s Hogle Zoo kicks into summer mode. From polar bears to porcupines, our care teams adapt routines to keep animals cool, comfortable, and thriving in warmer weather.
Cold plunge, anyone?
- Outdoor habitats in Rocky Shores feature chilled pools (kept between 60–65°F) for the polar bears, grizzly bears, pinnipeds, and otters to cool off in. Guests can often find polar bears Nikita and Neva diving into the water with their favorite enrichment items.
- Grizzly bears Koda, Dolly, and LouLou enjoy leisurely dips and swims throughout the day before settling into a shaded spot for a nap.
- Sea lions Diego and Maverick, along with harbor seals Mira and Nika, can be seen flipping, diving, and gliding through the water during daily training sessions as they stay cool and active.
Popsicles, please!
- Whether it’s served on its own or frozen into enrichment treats, ice is a refreshing way to keep animals cool while providing opportunities to learn, explore, and showcase natural behaviors.
- From the big cats in Asian Highlands to the gorilla troop in Great Apeas, animals across the zoo enjoy icy enrichment and treats in shady spots.
Mud masks and misters
- Southern white rhino Princess and her zebra habitat mates frequent a midday hose-down, followed by a satisfying roll in the dirt. Camels, Mongolian wild horses, and warthogs make good use of the mud wallows scattered across their habitats, coating themselves in a layer of mud to cool down and protect their skin from the sun.
- Otters and eagles in Rocky Shores benefit from misters built into their outdoor spaces, offering a steady stream of cool mist on warm days. Outside the Small Animal Building, misters and sprinklers help cool animals that live outdoors, and care teams can also provide bathing tubs with ice blocks and chilled water.
Animal adaptations: built for the heat
- Some zoo residents are naturally equipped to handle the heat. Burros and desert bighorn sheep come from hot, dry regions and are well-adapted to higher temperatures.
- Crocodiles regulate their body temperature through their environment, often basking in the sun to warm up and returning to water to cool down. Care teams also provide crocodiles Bill and Hillary with access to shaded areas, cold pools, and sprinklers.
- Camels and Mongolian wild horses are built for extremes, adapting to temperatures ranging from minus 30 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. As the weather warms up, guests may notice camels Terri and Gumby shedding their thick winter coats to stay comfortable during the summer season.
Whether an animal lives indoors full-time or spends most of the day outside, every habitat at the zoo is designed with comfort and wellbeing in mind.
Animals have access to temperature-controlled indoor spaces as needed, and care teams can adjust air conditioning, add fans, or use tools like ReptiCoolers (think: tiny swamp coolers) for those that require cooler environments. Outdoor habitats also feature shade, misters, and indoor holding areas that animals can move between throughout the day.
If you and your herd are looking to cool off while exploring Hogle Zoo, visit the Rocky Shores Splash Pad, grab a cool treat at the Beastro, or beat the heat in Wild Utah’s Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center!
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