Detroit Zoo animals play in snow after mid-week storm dumps nearly 8 inches in Royal Oak [VIDEO]
ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - Animals at the Detroit Zoo appeared to relish in the snow after the first major snowstorm of 2023 dumped seven and a half inches in Royal Oak on Wednesday.
In the last week, the Metro Detroit zoo has been sharing images and videos of polar bears, otters, lions and more romping around in the fresh snowfall.
"This is total wolverine weather," the zoo said on Tuesday morning as snow fell around a resident wolverine rolling around on the ground. "Winter is a great time to watch these animals roll, tumble and play."
According to zoo officials, wolverines -- which Michigan owes its nickname to -- have "hydrophobic fur," that make it resistant to harsh elements like frost and snow.
The zoo's otters were also shared on their social media page, using their long bodies to toboggan through the snow.
"River otters have long, cylindrical, streamlined bodies that are covered with short, dense, waterproof fur," the zoo said in a Facebook post. "These adaptations make them great at swimming and very skilled at sledding. Now we just need another snowfall!"
Other animals at the zoo, including wolves and red pandas, appeared to enjoy the elements after a winter storm brought anywhere from three to eight inches of snowfall to Metro Detroit.
Officials highly encouraged people to plan their visit by visiting detroitzoo.org/. The zoo is open all winter long 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Check out photos and videos of the resident animals playing in the snow below:
