A chat with one of our regular guests or a zookeeper will quickly reveal the Edmonton Valley Zoo’s best kept secret – winter is the best time to visit the zoo!
Did you know strolling through the zoo is not only a summer activity? We are still open as the temperatures drop! There is still so much to see at the zoo in the winter, and we will let you in on a secret: you may see more excitement from the animals.
If you’ve been to the zoo in the summer, when the sun is scorching up above, many of our animals tend to want to relax in the shade. As the weather cools, many animals can be more active and visible. Cold-weather loving critters including snow leopards, Amur tigers, Arctic wolves, Canada lynx, red pandas, snowy owls, reindeer, and Sichuan takin are more active during the colder months. Their heavily insulated fur coats or feathers keep them toasty so they’re more likely to move around more to explore and interact. Winter is truly the perfect time to see these amazing animals in action.
The shorter days make it easier to observe animals that are primarily active during dusk and dawn, preferring to nap or lie low mid-day. The darker mornings and late afternoons when the sun is going down are primo viewing times.
Unlike the animals that can adapt to colder weather with thick double-layered fur coats, or lots of blubber keeping them warm, our human friends don’t always have that luxury. Not to worry, the zoo has plenty of indoor spaces and heated stops to keep you warm. Grab a snack and a hot beverage at Sandwich & Sons or 40 Acres. The zoo is currently open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As a bonus, entry prices are also lower in the winter!
Hope to see you there!
