ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WJBK) - Animals at the Detroit Zoo had a smashing good time Wednesday, when they received pumpkins stuffed with treats.
The Detroit Zoo held their first of two Smashing Pumpkin days on Wednesday. Animals were given pumpkins that were full of treats for them to eat, play with, roll around in, tear apart, and smash.
Each year, the Zoo gives animals the seasonal munchies of pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, and other fall harvest goodies. The Zoo says its part of the program of "ensuring environments for animals that are ever-changing and appropriately complex."
Fall isn't the only time the animals get treats. The Zoo hides and also places food throughout the year in the animals' habitats. The Zoo says it stimulates natural behaviors such as foraging or stalking.
All the seasonal items around Halloween are from local producers.
The other Smashing Pumpkins day is October 21.
The Zoo also spreads out the timing of when the animals receive their fall treats so that you can see them all. Here's the schedule from the Zoo:
11 a.m. - chimpanzees
11:30 a.m. - polar bears
Noon - grizzly bears
12:30 p.m. - vultures
1 p.m. - wolves
1:30 p.m. - wolverine
2 p.m. - anteaters
2:30 p.m. - camels
3 p.m. - otters