With a few modifications, the Ipswich Nature Centre animals will be
nice and warm and cosy this winter.
As temperatures plummet in Ipswich, we humans will add a blanket, rug up and turn on the heaters.
Ipswich Nature Centre senior zoologist Nicole Richards and her team, have prepared with some clever ways to keep the animals warm this winter.
“As its getting cold with winter on our doorstep. We do things like provide the dingoes with thick blankets on their beds in their night den,” Ms Richards said.
“That way they can snuggle up at night. We also put shades down over the entranceways to keep the cold air out.”
Even the reptiles are given something extra to warm them.
“The reptiles get heat lights so they can curl up under there and retain some warmth,” Ms Richards said.
“The lace monitor has a big log that she sleeps in, so we added a heat lamp in there.
“We also place a board over the end of the log to stop the cool air rushing in.”
It’s not only us humans that enjoy a sleep in during the cold winter months.
“The lace monitor stays in her heated, enclosed log until mid-morning, so we know she is happy,” Ms Richards said.
(above) Ipswich Nature Centre senior zoologist Nicole Richards places a board over the end of the log to stop the cool draught.
Some of the smaller mammals are also given heat lamps like the quoll and bettong. They usually make their own nests under them and curl up to stay warm.
There are plenty of animals that don’t need a lot of assistance from humans.
“A lot of our animals grow a nice warm woolly winter coat,” Ms Richards said.
“Tyrone the sheep is already nice and woolly for winter as is our goat Buttercup. Even the dingoes’ coats are thickening up already.
“It’s a big job keeping all of the animals warm and happy but that is what we are here for and if they are happy then we are happy.”
Ipswich Nature Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am – 4pm.
Entry is free but gold coin donations are accepted. As you leave, there is a box on the fence.
Ipswich Nature Centre is located in Queens Park on Goleby Avenue, Ipswich.
Ipswich Nature Centre features a range of Australian wildlife, lush landscaped gardens and
exhibits that have been recreated to represent local bushland and flora communities.
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