BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — Winter has officially begun, and for most people, the best way to spend it is either out on the slopes or wrapped up at home in front of a warm fire. But at the Dakota Zoo, the surge of chilly weather has also resulted in an entirely new experience for both animals and visitors. Although many would expect an outside-based establishment to be closed during North Dakota winters, this is absolutely not the case: in fact, the blanket of snow leads to new winter coats and new encounters with old animal friends. To celebrate the holiday season, we've brought our travel columnist Brendan Rodenberg (the same person responsible for the One-Day ND Destinations travel series) out of semi-retirement to show you everything the Dakota Zoo's seasonal variant has to offer. Weathering the Cold The change from spring, summer, and even fall can be seen the moment one steps into the Dakota Zoo: despite the closed doors and empty cages, plenty of creatures are still out in the open enjoying the low temperatures. Perfect examples of this include wolves, foxes, miniature horses, donkeys, and even particularly brave chickens. The same can also be said for the zoo's larger attractions — many of whom have taken to higher ground in an attempt to avoid the snow. During KX's visit, the bears were nestled snugly at the top of their enclosure, and both the tiger and leopards preferred alternate options to laying on the ground. Weekend BRB: Stories with Santa at the Dakota Zoo If there is one area of the zoo that's changed the least, though, it would be the Hoofed Mammal Loop: as one might expect, most of the animals here are kept well-protected from the cold by their thick fur, and continue their day-to-day activities despite the new snow on the ground. Creature Comforts While plenty of animals can stay outdoors in freezing temperatures, many of the zoo's other residents are much less receptive to them. A majority of the birds and reptiles at the Dakota Zoo have been moved to keep them warm, and many of the larger animals (such as the goats, pigs, and rabbits in Grandma and Grandpa's Farm) have been moved to the indoor parts of their enclosures, where they can still be interacted with. This can also be seen in the Discovery Center, where their Linnaeus' Two-Toed Sloth is as cozy as ever despite the relative lack of nearby companions. The same can be said in the outback-themed section of the zoo, where the wallabies, turtles, emus, and muntjacs have been moved indoors. Fortunately for visitors, they can all still be viewed from the nearby building. In the case of the emus, this allows for a much more up-close and personal encounter than usual. Penguins Contrary to what one might expect, the Dakota Zoo's penguins are from Africa, not the South Pole — and thus, aren't permitted to go outside in extremely cold temperatures. As a result, they're confined to the indoor section of the penguin exhibit... but that doesn't stop them from continuing to be a fan-favorite attraction. One-Day ND Destinations: Dakota Zoo Primates Normally, the Dakota Zoo's primate house features both indoor and outdoor habitats. Much like any of the other exhibits that do so, though, all of the zoo's monkeys and apes have been moved indoors during the chilly season. This does little to interrupt their usual play, although you may occasionally see the building's residents try to warm themselves by heating units. The Dakota Zoo is open from Friday through Sunday during the winter. Click here for more information. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW