No Off-Season in the Wild: The National Zoo During Winter

For many, a trip to the zoo is an activity for the warmer months; the day would be incomplete without sunscreen, lots of water, and cooling treats like ice cream and lemonade. Zoo-goers may be surprised to find out that the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is open during the winter, and busier than one might expect, bustling with bundled-up visitors and animals enjoying winter accommodations. 

Light decorations along the ‘Olmsted Walk’ path at the zoo. / The entrance to the Smithsonian National Zoo, showcasing leftover decorations from ZooLights (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

Arriving from the entrance on Harvard Street in Washington, D.C. on a sharp but sunny day in January, with a low of 40 degrees, visitors may encounter remnant decoration from the holiday ZooLights attraction, which features animal lanterns and special themed activities. 

Turtles sunbathing in their outdoor exhibit across from the carousel at the zoo. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

Following the “Olmsted walk” past the Africa Trail, which is currently closed for renovation, one might start to wonder where the animals or other people are. The first clue to some signs of life were some turtles sunbathing in their outdoor exhibit, right across from the very busy carousel, still open for business (unless temperatures are freezing outside) and very popular with children.

A swamp monkey enjoying a leafy snack in the “Think Tank” exhibit. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

Right behind the carousel sits the “Think Tank,” a building that explores animal thinking and brain anatomy. It hosted two sleepy orangutans and a swamp monkey (pictured above).

A lizard perching on wood in the Reptile Discovery center. / Aldabra Giant Tortoises enjoying the warmth of sun lamps in their exhibit. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

The Reptile Discovery Center is right next door, where exotic snakes, tiny lizards, giant turtles and more sat comfortably under heat lamps in their enclosures. Aldabra tortoises and the American alligator move indoors during the whole winter, according to the zoo’s website. 

An orangutan taking a break from swinging and playing on the structures of the Great Ape House to eat some cabbage. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

The Great Ape House was pretty warm as well, and full of active gorillas, hungry orangutans and other playful primates. Western lowland gorillas, orangutans, lemurs and more stay indoors at temperatures below 40 degrees, according to the zoo’s website. 

Zoo attendees looking at nocturnal animals in the Small Mammal House under red lights. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

A meerkat in a rare moment of stillness, perched on a log in its indoor habitat. / A red-rumped agouti, native to South America, eating a snack in The Small Mammal House. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

The Small Mammal House was full of people watching armadillos, fennec foxes and meerkats scurrying back and forth. It also held nocturnal animals under red lights, simulating their natural environments. Animals like otters and pelicans stay inside below 35 degrees, with sand cats having the choice to be inside or outside.

A Przewalski horse grazing outdoors along the ‘Olmstead Walk.’ These Mongolia-native horses are considered one of the only truly wild horses and are critically endangered. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

Not all of the animals needed the warmth of the indoors. Horses and wallabies wandered and grazed freely under blue skies and cold wind.

Signs explaining elephants are being held inside due to cold weather, encouraging guests to keep doors closed to keep the animals safe. / The zoo is home to five female elephants, one male and a newborn female. This female elephant is happily pulling out bamboo leaves to eat after coming indoors to escape the cold. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

For the zoo’s elephants, avoiding the weather is important. Signage indicated that they were inside to stay warm, and asked guests to play their part in keeping them that way.

A sleepy panda resting on a cold day. / A panda enjoying bamboo shoots as many visitors watch. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

Of course, a trip to the National Zoo would be incomplete without stopping in on giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao, who were enjoying a lazy MLK day full of naps and bamboo.

A group of visitors leaving the Zoo, dressed for cold weather. (Sydney Goitia-Doran/101 Mag)

Ultimately, a winter day at the zoo is the perfect weekend activity to see how animals fare during cold climates. The zoo takes care to make sure animals and visitors alike have warmth and food. Just make sure to bundle up first.