When the weather gets this hot, zoos have to take extra precautions to keep their animals safe and comfortable.
"There's a lot of things that we do [to keep the animals cool]," said Steve Metzler, spokesperson for the Dallas Zoo. While some critters can handle the Texas heat, others aren't built for it. So the zoos have come up with ways to help.
"We'll give them ice treats to cool them down, but also ice to be able to play in and cool them off. Things like that," Metzler said.
"Things like that" includes mister hoses and wallow holes where elephants and hippos can coat themselves in cool mud. And that's not all.
"When it gets to certain temperatures, we will give animals access back to their barns where it may be even cooler," Metzler said. "Then they can choose when they're uncomfortable, if they want to get out of the heat."
It's the same story in Fort Worth.
"Most of the animals here at the Fort Worth Zoo are found in regions around the world that have a similar climate to DFW – the hot African savannas and humid rainforests in Asia," said Avery Elander, spokesperson for the Fort Worth Zoo. "Many of the animals here at the Zoo have their own pools or watering holes in their habitats, and some have access to their climate-controlled indoor spaces as well."
If you visit on an especially hot day, the zoos are asking for patience. They say the animals might be more comfortable inside than they are outside.
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