Half-price winter wonder days at the Roger Williams Park Zoo

January and February bring the perfect weather to New England for visiting the zoo and seeing animals outside, enjoying nature's cooler temperatures. Roger Williams Park Zoo is open Thursday-Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with half-price admission from Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2022.

Winter is an exciting time for red panda watchers to see these animals as they are better adapted to cold than heat. They do not hibernate but rely on their heavy fur and bushy tails to keep them warm during cold spells, happily eating tasty leaves, blossoms, and berries. Red pandas have a thick double-layer of fur. Much like humans who put on a sweatshirt followed by a winter coat, red pandas also use layers to stay warm. If guests look carefully, they will see the extra fur growing on the red pandas' feet to help keep them warm all season. 

The Zoo's snow leopards are also happy during the winter months. How snow leopards have adapted to live in colder environments, include their stocky bodies, thick fur, and small and rounded ears, all of which help minimize heat loss. A snow leopard's large, fur-covered forepaws help the animal travel on rocky surfaces and avoid sinking into the snow.

If you have not been to the Zoo in the winter, come and enjoy this season. It is always an adventure at Roger Williams Park Zoo. 

All tickets must be purchased in advance online at rwpzoo.org.

And as a reminder, the Zoo will be free on Monday, Dec. 27, but a non-perishable food donation is requested on behalf of the RI Food Bank

Roger Williams Park Zoo is Rhode Island’s number one outdoor family and tourist attraction, and a leader in conservation efforts undertaken by a zoo of its size. As leaders in conservation and animal care – we create engaging experiences that empower guests to join us in conserving wildlife and wild places. Roger Williams Park Zoo is supported and managed by the Rhode Island Zoological Society and is owned by the City of Providence.