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All About Animals

Create Animal Enrichment

Animals in the wild spend lots of time and energy finding food, building homes, defending their territories and escaping predators. Since most of these resources are provided for Zoo animals, we offer creative ways for them to use their natural energy. That’s where enrichment comes in!

cat cat cat

Environmental enrichment encourages animals to use their natural abilities and behaviors to interact with their environment. Some creatures like to stalk and chase their prey, while others prefer burrowing underground to hide. Here at the Zoo, we create activities that stimulate the senses and encourage this natural behavior.

Make your own puzzle box


Though your house cat may be 400 pounds smaller than our lions and tiger, domestic and big cats have similar needs. Both creatures have a natural instinct to hunt for their food, so creating enrichment activities that encourage cats’ curiosity and hunting skills are purr-fect for your feline friend. Here's how!

paint

Materials

  • Empty cardboard box (tissue or cereal box)
  • Scissors
  • Cat treats or toys
  • Optional: nontoxic paint, markers, ribbons 
  • Cat!

 

materialsSteps

  • Seal the box's ends.
  • Get creative! Add some color with nontoxic paint, crayon or marker.
  • Cut shapes into the top of box. Keep shapes big enough for a cat's paw, but small enough to make it challenging for your cat to get the treat!
  • Drop a few treats or a favorite toy into the puzzle box.
  • Bring on the beast!

There's So Much More to See

Franklin Park Zoo's Animals Stone Zoo's Animals