News Archive

January 2006

Coping with the Cold

One of the questions we are frequently asked by our visitors is 'how do the animals cope with the cold weather?' We go to great lengths to ensure that all the animals have comfortable accommodation, and for the majority that includes heated houses.

Animals such as the Bactrian Camels and Llamas are very hardy animals and as long as they have shelter from the worst of the weather, their long shaggy coats are more than adequate to keep the winter chill away.

The Penguins too can withstand severe weather conditions as they have a layer of fat that insulates the body. Next to the skin is a layer of down which traps air resulting in a 'double glazing' effect. Finally, their waterproof feathers keep the damp away. (Did you know that feathers offer better insulation than fur?)

For the less hardy species we offer a range of accommodation with heat lamps and even under floor heating, and of course every animal is provided with a comfy dry bed or a draught free perch.

In the Reptile House things are done slightly differently. The house is heated throughout the year but during the winter months we actually turn down the heat by a couple of degrees. This cooling down period would happen naturally in the wild, and it is only when the reptiles begin to warm up again that they come into breeding condition. Turning down the heating in the Reptile House simulates natural conditions and we hope will result in some new additions to our family!

Want to Help?

A visit to the Cotswold Wildlife Park can now be even more worthwhile. By adopting an animal, you can provide a helpful contribution towards the costs of keeping and feeding the animals and supporting our conservation breeding programmes... click here for more information