How the Austin Zoo prepares for the winter months

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Zoo is a nonprofit rescue zoo located about 25 minutes west of downtown. The zoo is home to dozens of species, ranging anywhere from tiny lizards to tigers and lions.

As the winter months approach, Meteorologist Tommy House sat down with Dillon Horger, director of animal care at the Austin Zoo, to talk about how the zoo prepares for the cooler weather ahead.

Meteorologist Tommy House: What kind of animals does the Austin Zoo have during the winter months?

Dillon Horger: So we actually have all the animals. The only ones that we move off exhibit are some of the reptiles that are cold, sensitive, but luckily, with Austin's mild climate, we don't really have to remove any animals from their display habitats.

They all have areas that they can escape and go into the heat. They have wind blocks and off exhibit holding. So most of the animals, including the alligators, have a heated pond.

House: So a lot of people are going to the zoo during the winter months. Which one is the "fan favorite" throughout the winter.

Horger: We have a lot of fan favorites. We have Zulema, our white tiger. We have our three American black bears. They're really popular as well. The interesting thing about the black bears is we're far enough south where they don't really go into a true hibernation.

They take it easy for three months during the winter, usually December, January and February. And they might lay around a little bit more and have a reduced appetite, but they don't go into true hibernation like black bears up north. So you can see them active all year round. And of course, the Tigers, they love the cold, and they're really active during the winter months here.

House: For those who live at home who have animals that periodically go outside, what advice do you have for animals during those winter months who are outdoors?

Horger: A big part of it is knowing your animals natural history. A dog like a husky is much more cold tolerant than like a chihuahua or a parrot. But regardless of how cold tolerant the animals are, it's always a good idea to provide shelter.

You can provide supplemental heat if it's going to get below freezing or really cold. Another thing people don't think about putting a heat lamp near backyard chickens. We think about keeping them nice and warm, but sometimes, if you add supplemental heat to an area the animals can't get out of, you can actually overheat them.

In Austin, where many people have goats or chickens, it's important to be aware that winter months bring a higher risk of predators. As temperatures drop, predators need to burn more calories and may become more desperate, making them more likely to target outdoor animals. To protect them, consider bringing them into a barn or secure enclosure, especially at night, to keep them safe from wild predators.

For our domestic pets, it's all about common sense. Bring them inside whenever possible, keep walks short and sweet, and provide indoor exercise when they can't get outside. After walks, wipe off their paws to remove 'de-ice' or other chemicals, and make sure their paws are dry. These simple steps can help ensure that your pets stay comfortable, safe, and happy throughout the winter.