Where Are the Animals? A Guide to Maximizing Your Zoo Visit

Every once in a while, Lincoln Park Zoo staff members hear someone say, “I didn’t see many animals at the zoo today.” Of course, everyone here hopes guests have the best experience possible when they visit the zoo, but if you’re seeing an empty habitat, that’s by design.

Animals at Lincoln Park Zoo with outdoor habitats have the choice to avoid weather, noise, or any other environmental elements by seeking shelter or going inside behind the scenes. Providing the animals choice and control within their habitats is an important part of good animal welfare and represents the zoo’s “animal first” approach.

However, this may disappoint visitors who are really hoping to catch a glimpse of a specific species while they are here. Here are some strategies you can use to maximize the possibility of seeing the animal you want to see–or provide opportunities to discover other animals and experiences you perhaps did not have on your radar.

Adjust Your Timing

Every day is a good day to visit, but some days offer nicer conditions for animal viewing and some times are better than others. Most animals are generally more active in the morning and less active in the early afternoon. If you can come on a slow weekday in fall, you’ll avoid crowds and might even be rewarded by seeing animals more active. If you choose a day with more extreme temperatures (either hot or cold), animals might choose to remain inside.

However, don’t assume animals won’t be out because of what you think you know about their biology! Some, like African lions, have access to habitat features such as heated rocks to help them manage their body temperatures outside. The members of the pride often remain out even in the middle of winter. Others, like Chilean flamingos, are more used to harsher temperatures than you realize.

Don’t Rush Through

Studies show that many visitors to zoos spend mere seconds at animal habitats, which isn’t enough time to search for and spot an animal, especially for species that are naturally reclusive or have camouflage. Stick around a bit or circle back later to see if anything has changed. And don’t forget to look up! Sometimes the animals prefer high spots. For example, JC and Murray gibbons can often be located at the top of their outdoor habitat at Helen Brach Primate House.

Ask a Volunteer or Staff Member

Sometimes, animals are just out of sight, tucked into a crevice or a nest. If you see someone with a dark green zoo shirt or a nametag (or both), ask! They might have expert insight on where the animal is spending its time, where it likes to hide, or how to tell one animal from another. With their help, you might be able to catch sight of a tail hanging from a platform or ears peeking out from behind a shrub. Zoo staff and volunteers know so much and they love sharing their knowledge with guests. Even if you don’t see the animal, you might learn something fascinating that will stay with you long after you leave the zoo.

Come to Daily Events

Every day, some species at the zoo participate in training, demonstrations, or feedings. This is a great time to view the animals as they behave in species-specific ways. At demonstrations and trainings, animals such as the seals are enriched and rewarded through positive enforcement for certain behaviors. This is also a great way to learn how zoo staff cares for animals here and helps them in the wild. Check the web app for times—and just keep your eyes open for spontaneous opportunities that will delight you.

Seal training at Lincoln Park Zoo

Step Into a Zoo Building

While many charismatic mammals, from the western lowland gorillas to eastern black rhinos, do spend plenty of time outdoors, there are so many animals you’ll miss if you stay outside and never set foot in McCormick Bird House or Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo. Some of the species in these buildings you know well, and others you may not be as familiar with. Take the opportunity to make discoveries!

Check out Oro, the Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, who lives in the lush, glass-domed Ecosystem section of Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House and can often be seen sleeping on a hammock. This building is also home to prehensile-tailed porcupines, emperor tamarins, Asian small-clawed otters, and a variety of fascinating reptiles and amphibians from venomous snakes to axolotls. Inside Regenstein African Journey, you can see pygmy hippos, meerkats, an aardvark, klipspringers, and Diana monkeys, along with cool birds and even insects. As a bonus, zoo buildings are the best place to be when it’s cold or rainy out.

Image by Dan Boehm

Animals at the zoo are individuals with their own preferences and personalities, so there is no guaranteed way to ensure you see the animal you want to see. But amazing things happen at Lincoln Park Zoo every day. Here’s hoping your trip yields plenty of fun, educational, entertaining surprises no matter which animals you encounter!