See How the Pandas (And Other Animals) Enjoyed a Chilly Snow Day

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                <span class="credit">Smithsonian/Roshan Patel</span><br/><br />
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    <p>Heavy snowfall caused the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to close its doors to visitors on Monday and Tuesday, but the animals and their caretakers made the best of the situation!</p><br />
    <p>While the maintenance teams worked diligently to clear the pedestrian paths, many animals—particularly those accustomed to cooler climates—seized the chance to frolic and engage with their snowy environment.</p><br />
    <p>Let’s take a look at the animals that eagerly embraced the snowy weather, both at the Zoo and at the Front Royal, Virginia campus.</p><br />
    <h3>Tigers, Opossums, Elephants, and More!</h3><br />
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    <p>At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, animal keepers provide various enrichment activities to keep the animals both physically active and mentally stimulated. On a snow day, this enrichment comes in the form of fresh snow!</p><br />
    <p>As part of their standard care, all outdoor animals have access to heated shelters or indoor spaces when temperatures drop too low. For animals that typically reside indoors—like those in the Small Mammal House—keepers got inventive and brought some snow inside for them to enjoy.</p><br />
    <h3>Giant Pandas</h3><br />
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    <p>This snowfall marked the first significant winter event for the newest giant pandas in the Washington, D.C. area. Qing Bao and Bao Li delighted in the snow, climbing, diving, and rolling around in their frosty enclosures. The snow provided an exciting new element of enrichment for this rare pair, who are set to make their public debut on January 24.</p><br />
    <h3>California Sea Lion</h3><br />
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                <span class="credit">Smithsonian/Sarah Snider-Keys</span><br />
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    <p>At the American Trail, the sea lions took a thrilling ‘polar plunge’! The sea lion colony, including 16-year-old Sidney, relished the snow that blanketed the area around their outdoor pool. The California sea lions’ natural habitat extends from the southern Mexican coastline all the way to Alaska, so these playful pinnipeds were undeterred by the cold!</p><br />
    <h3>Red Panda</h3><br />
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                <span class="credit">Smithsonian/Roshan Patel</span><br />
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    <p>Asa, a female red panda residing on the Asia Trail, was seen playfully sticking out her tongue amid the snowfall. Her thick fur, bushy tail, and well-insulated paws make her perfectly suited for colder climates.</p><br />
    <h3>Asian Elephant</h3><br />
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                <span class="credit">Smithsonian/Dillon Hall</span><br />
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    <p>Even the Asian elephants decided to step outside! These intelligent creatures can handle cooler temperatures, and Maharani (shown above) was curious enough to leave her heated barn to explore the soft snow at Elephant Trails.</p><br />
    <h3>Cheetah</h3><br />
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                <span class="credit">Smithsonian/Mackenzie Perry</span><br />
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    <p>While some animals at the Zoo find joy in playing in the snow, others are more curious about it.</p><br />
    <p>At the conservation science campus in Front Royal, Virginia, the cheetahs were inquisitive about the new layer of snow in their habitat. These big cats adapt well to the winter climate in Washington, developing thick fur coats to keep warm. Here, female cheetah Zura surveys her snowy surroundings from a hilltop.</p><br />
    <h3>Persian Onagers</h3><br />
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                <span class="credit">Smithsonian/Tara Buk</span><br />
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    <p>Persian onagers, an endangered species related to horses and donkeys, thrive in extreme temperatures due to their origins in the harsh, dry plateaus of central Asia. This resilience is evident as these two onagers happily buried their noses in the snow.</p><br />
    <h3>Scimitar-Horned Oryx</h3><br />
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                <span class="credit">Smithsonian/Tara Buk</span><br />
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    <p>Surprisingly, a species like the scimitar-horned oryx, which is adapted to the deserts of northern Africa, can thrive even in winter. Did you know that winter nights in the Sahara can plummet to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius)? Fortunately, this cold weather doesn’t trouble the oryx herd, as they are well-versed in handling chilly conditions!</p><br />
    <p>If you’re considering a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, winter is a fantastic time to go. Plan your trip today and prepare to witness some incredible animals in action!</p><br />
    <p>Whether you're passionate about animal care or simply love observing adorable animals, the National Zoo is the perfect destination. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of the animal kingdom up close.</p><br />
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