Exotic animals at Marwell Zoo tuck into spooky treats for Halloween
THERE were no ‘tricks’ on the cards for these hungry animals this Halloween as they tucked into some spooky treats.
Carved pumpkins were on the menu for animals at Marwell Zoo.
And now the reaction of the animals have been snapped in a series of incredible photos.
Pumpkins filled with insects were given to curious Asian small-clawed otters, bokiboky and Guianan squirrel monkeys, who are used to foraging in the wild.
The zoo’s Burmese mountain tortoises chomped into whole pumpkins using their jaws to devour the treats.
Meanwhile, Marwell’s inquisitive male Amur tiger, Bagai, used all his senses to investigate and play with his pumpkin, batting the treat around with his powerful paws and making a splash as he took it into his pool.
Animal behaviourist Dani Free, said: ‘These photos show how a novel and unexpected item like a pumpkin can benefit animal welfare by promoting positive emotions and expression in species, such as curiosity, interest and contentment.’
For more information go to www.marwell.org.uk