As temperatures drop in Hangzhou, residents are bundling up to stay warm. But what about the animals at Hangzhou Zoo? This winter, each species has its own way of staying comfortable.
For giant pandas Chunsheng and Xiangguo, winter is their favorite season. The pandas, naturally equipped with thick fur and subcutaneous fat, thrive in the cold. "Pandas love playing in the snow," said Lu Yuliang, an animal management expert at the zoo. Native to chilly regions like Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu, they're well-adapted to sub-zero temperatures and require no additional heating measures.
While pandas embrace the cold, Asian elephants need a warmer environment. Their enclosure features an air-powered heating system, maintaining a steady 15 C to mimic the climate of their native habitats in Yunnan and Southeast Asia. Caretakers also line the floors with straw to ensure their comfort.
Other warmth-seeking species, such as lemurs, squirrel monkeys, and hornbills, have cozy heated nests equipped with warming lamps, creating snug sanctuaries that will stay operational until March.
Reptiles and amphibians, like snakes and turtles, are also well cared for. The zoo recently upgraded its Reptile and Amphibian House with a dual heating system using gas and electricity.