Utah's Hogle Zoo

Ref review confirms: clean tackle, full possession, no flag on the play 🏈🐾 The instant replay doesn't lie! What’s more impressive—this tackle or your game day snack spread? #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #cougar #mountainlion #superbowlparty #biggame #football #utah #zoo

It’s that time of year again—polar bears Neva and Nikita have reunited for their fourth breeding season! While polar bears are solitary (in their natural habitat and under human care), you may notice Neva and Nikita spending time together in their habitat over the next few months. Breeding season, which can last can last anywhere from a week to a few months, is entirely up to the bears and is always guided by their needs and choices. Each year, this phase of their reproductive cycle becomes more familiar and comfortable for them. During the breeding season, you might see behaviors our animal care team monitors closely: 🔹 Chasing or following each other 🔹 Resting near one another 🔹 Making vocalizations, like chuffing 🔹 Sharing toys 🔹 Open-mouth greetings 🔹 Minor wounds from expected interactions Be sure to visit Rocky Shores, where you might catch a glimpse of Neva and Nikita together! #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #polarbears #polarbear #utah #zoo

Eating your greens? Approved by Lemon. 🥬 🥦🌿🌱 #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #eatyourveggies #animals #spidermonkey #monkey #utah

Yes, you read that right—zebras are black with white stripes! 🦓 A zebra's stripes are actually one of the last things to develop before birth. Before those stripes come in, they have all black skin and fur. Fun fact: each zebra's stripe pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint! #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #internationalzebraday #zebraday #zebra #animals #utah #zoo

Dropping some knowledge on this #TongueOutTuesday 😝 When tigers (and many other animals) curl their lips, expose their teeth, and take a deep sniff, they’re using a unique process called the flehmen response. This behavior sends scents to the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson’s organ, located on the roof of their mouth, helping them detect and interpret smells in their environment. #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #flehmenresponse #tigers #tiger #snow #utah #zoo

Watching the weekend roll away like... 👀 Happy Monday! #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #baby #babygorilla #gorilla #utah #zoo

This #Caturday calls for a training montage 🦁 Training is an essential way animals at the zoo participate in their own care. Behaviors like presenting a paw, opening their mouth, standing, or laying down allow our team to check in regularly with an animals' health. Every animal at the zoo has choice and control over their participation in training, and when they do choose to engage, they are always rewarded with tasty treats. In a lion's case, meatballs 😋 #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #lion #lioness #training #animals #thingstodoinutah #utah #zoo

Bigger paws, bigger pounces, and even bigger personalities—snow leopard cubs Pavlova and Bhutan are growing up fast! At 7 months old, these little troublemakers are mastering the art of "big catting"—jumping, climbing, and, of course, plenty of play. As they grow, our team gives them opportunities to hone their skills, including shifting to new habitats in Asian Highlands to encourage exploration and adventure. Next time you visit, you might spot them in a different habitat—so take a stroll through Asian Highlands to catch Babs and her snowballs in action! 🐾❄️ #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #snowleopard #snowleopardcubs #cubs #babyanimals #visitsaltlake #utah #zoo

Us, when harbor seal Mira shows off during training 🤩🤩 #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #lookatthis #seal #seals #utah #zoo

Checking in on the bear-y latest – female polar bear Neva emerged from her den! Neva exiting her den means she did not have cubs this season. Through the denning process, Neva remained calm and exhibited many of the behaviors we hoped to see—an important milestone in the ongoing progress of this delicate process. Each reproductive season, no matter the outcome, offers opportunities for the bears (and us!) to learn and grow. We’re proud of our team for all the hard work they put into this delicate process, helping us better understand these incredible animals and their natural behaviors. After their time apart during denning season, Neva and Nikita will take turns in their outdoor habitat. So, when you visit Rocky Shores, you may see either of the polar bears outside! This winter, Neva and Nikita will be reintroduced for mating season. This season of their reproductive cycle gets smoother and more comfortable for them each year and is always guided by the bears’ needs and choices. Stay tuned for updates on when they reunite for mating season, where you can visit Neva and Nikita together! #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #polarbear #polarbears #bears #utah #zoo

Me, after answering one (1) email on a Monday. 😴 Sasha’s keeping things cozy with the best seat in the house: her heated rock. If you’re visiting the zoo and looking to warm up, we’ve got you covered! A Mountain America Credit Union #ProTip: Check out these top 5 warm-up spots during your next visit: 🐾 Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center in Wild Utah 🐾 The Great Apes Building 🐾 Tidewater Cove in Rocky Shores 🐾 Small Animal Building 🐾 Grandma's House in Asian Highlands #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #mondaymood #mood #monday #tiger #utah #snow #winter #thingstodoinutah #visitsaltlake #zoo

What do you get when you combine fresh snow with enrichment, training, and tasty treats? The purrrfect day for our resident cats. Thanks for joining us for a paws-itively unforgettable Cats & Cocoa today! 🐱☕ #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #cats #bigcats #utahevents #thingstodoinutah #zoo #animals #utah