Seasonal & Holidays
Howl-O-Ween: Pumpkins Delight Living Desert Zoo Animals Ahead Of Event
Zookeepers at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens gave out pumpkin treats to the animals in their care as a nod to upcoming Howl-O-Ween.
PALM DESERT, CA —Porcupines with pumpkins? Snakes slither through jack-o-lanters? It's that time of year again in Palm Desert. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens residents recently got their annual pumpkin treat, to the delight of javelinas, reptiles, desert critters, birds, and rhinos.
A porcupine named Bramble enjoyed nibbling on its very own pumpkin treat.
"Not only do these playful moments provide enrichment for the animals, but they also help spread the Halloween spirit for everyone," a spokesperson for the zoo said.
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Organizers say it is all in advance of an upcoming Halloween activity for families at the zoo. The fall event is over two days in October, starting at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27. Get your tickets with special code HOWLFREE CHILD at checkout for Halloween-themed activities and pop-up experiences. Here, you'll find:
- Trick-or-treat stations
- Animal trading cards
- Bewitching keeper connections
- Free face painting
- Themed arts and crafts
- Fall photo opportunities.
If you are a zoo member, this event is included in your membership or with an advanced online paid park admission.
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Matching Meerkats mugged before their carved jack-o-lanterns.
Pumpkins are not only delicious for the many critters around the zoo but also loaded with vitamins.
A pumpkin is rare sight, especially for desert creatures like this jackrabbit.
"Pumpkin is full of Vitamin A and Vitamin C," the zoo spokesperson explained. "No wonder the animals can’t get enough."
These African Painted Dogs were given a pumpkin to share in the enrichment project.
Other critters cautiously inspected then sampled the treats, like the Living Desert Zoo and Garden's favorite mountain lion, Rose...
The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill pecked out the insides of its carved treat.
This pack of wild peccary gobbled their pumpkins down.
And spookily slithering through a carved pumpkin like this desert snake.
Halloween is happening at exhibits across the Palm Desert Zoo over the upcoming Howl-O-Ween experience.
For a limited time, get a free child's ticket with each adult ticket using the code HOWLFREECHILD.
Learn more at www.LivingDesert.org/howl.
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