Detroit Zoo doesn't hibernate during winter

The Detroit Zoo is a wild spot to visit in the winter, especially with a new exhibitthat allows people to skate next to penguins, said visitors at the zoo this week.

Hunter McKane actuallyprefers seeing the animals in the winter over visiting the zoo in warmer weather.

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"Usually we come in summer and all the animals are sleeping, but now that it's winter they're all out," he said whilevisiting with hissisterChloeandtheir parents Tuesday. "Today, I got to see a Tiger that I usually never see here."

Many of the animalswere specifically selected because they like the cooler climates, explainedScott Carter, the zoo's chief life sciences officer.

"They can be outside year round, like the wolves, like the polar bears,likethe grizzlies, the wolverines, theJapanesemacaques," he said. "It's a great time to see them in the winter. They are typically more active when it's cooler out than when it's hot."

Ann Duncan, a veterinarian at the zoo, said it can be very peaceful and outside of the busy summer season.

"You can sometimes feel like you have the whole place to yourself," she said. "The animals are sometimes a little bit more interactive because they're not used to seeing lots and lots of people, so they sometimes look to the visitors for a little bit of attention."

Even with winter winds blowing thezoocan seeup to 3,000 visitors each day at this time of year, Carter added.

A new penguin exhibit that allows visitors to skate alongside the ice-loving birds has proved to be apopular attraction already. Up to 31 skaterscan glide across the 1,500-square-foot rink outside the Polk Penguin Conservation Center at one time.

• Skate with the penguins at Detroit Zoo

While temperatures may fluctuate, the skating surface is made of plastic and requires no water or electricity meaning it will be open whatever the weather.

Wolves are also a popular attraction, according to Carter, but unlike some other creatures at the zoo the canines seem to thrive in all seasons.

"Wolves are a great species. They love this kind of weather," he said."You'll see them out all winter long having fun out in the snow or in the summer having fun out in the sun."

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