How do the wolves stay cool in the summer?
Because wolves are highly photoperiodic, they have already shed out their thick winter coats before summer arrives. However, activity levels wane during the hot summer months and often we find them taking respite from the heat by either lying in shady day beds or sleeping in their “deckpens,” which have a concrete floor that stays cool in the summer. Occasionally, some of the wolves opt to sleep in their natural dens. In addition, each enclosure has a 50 gallon splash tub which many of the animals will get in and splash around. Some, like Cricket and Kiawatha, will even sit or lay down in their tubs to cool down. Sprinklers are also set up at several enclosures, though any cooling benefit is probably lost because they exert so much energy chasing the oscillating stream of water.
