Hot Temps Call for Cool Solutions
July 15, 2026
Blogs
Zoo Team Keeps Animals Comfortable During Summer Heat Waves
By Sarah Culton
Communications Manager
As the sun beats down over the Detroit Zoo on a 95-plus degree day, Tubby — a 25-year-old African spurred tortoise — is nothing but cool as he romps around on a small, personal-sized splash pad added to his habitat.
“The heat is something he is used to, but he seems to really enjoy his little splash pad,” says Tamara Colt, reptile zookeeper. “The heat wave seemed like the perfect time to give it to him.”
Tubby’s splash pad is just one of many ways the Zoo team helps animals stay cool and comfortable when temperatures soar during the summer months — especially during heat waves like the ones Michigan experienced in July. These cooling options take many forms, including ice treats made by zookeepers, indoor air-conditioned spaces, outdoor shade structures, misters or sprinklers, and, of course, mini splash pads.
For Dr. Grace Fuller, senior director of animal welfare and research, these options not only help the animals physically but also stimulate them mentally and promote natural behaviors. The rhinos, for example, have access to a fresh wallow — a muddy area in their habitat that they can roll around in for cooling and sun protection. The polar bears also have access to two outdoor pools (a 190,000-gallon saltwater pool and a 40,000-gallon freshwater pool), both chilled to 55 degrees Fahrenheit to keep them comfortable.
“We offer animals a variety of choices so that they can regulate their temperatures appropriately — at any time but especially during a heat wave like this one,” Fuller says. “We put animal well-being first in all of our operations at the Zoo, in part because it helps us achieve our mission and because it’s the right thing to do.”
Because the Zoo gives animals the choice of where they spend their time, you might not see some of your favorites on very hot days as they choose to spend time behind the scenes in their cool indoor habitats. This choice is vital to the animals’ well-being, but it's not just the animals who can cool off in the air conditioning. The Zoo is home to many indoor spaces where guests can beat the heat, like the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. The Center is kept at a crisp 60-65 degrees in the guest area and 45 degrees in the bird spaces, making it the perfect spot to cool off while watching five species of penguins swim and play.
“No matter the temperature outside, our teams work very hard to ensure both the animals and our guests can have a great day at the Zoo,” Fuller says.
Then, when you are ready to head back outside, you can see many warm-weather-loving animals like giraffes, zebras and lemurs soaking up the sun. If you're lucky, you might even see Tubby on his splash pad.
