Giant Galapagos Tortoises Celebrate National Pumpkin Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
In case you didn’t know, today is National Pumpkin Day!
With Halloween just around the corner, Americans across the country are purchasing their pumpkins and putting their carving skills to the test.
As it turns out, however, it is not just humans who are celebrating the season, the residents of Disney’s Animal Kingdom are also getting in on the fun!
In celebration of National Pumpkin Day, over 200 pumpkins have been delivered to animals across Walt Disney World.
Giant Galapagos Tortoises Get Halloween Treat
Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the park’s Giant Galapagos tortoises were thrilled with their special Halloween treat.
When the pumpkins were placed in their enclosure, the tortoises made a beeline for the unexpected treat.
“They can be quick,” said animal keeper Sara Frumoff.
Fittingly, the tortoises are all named after different monsters including Phantom, Dracula, Mummy, Frankenstein, Wolfman, and Creature.
Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center
Like all of the food given to Walt Disney World’s animal residents, the pumpkin treats were prepared at Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center, which is located backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
“Our overall goal is health. But part of their overall health is general well-being,” Livingston said. “We want to make sure that our animals are getting the nutrients they need, but it has to be in a form that’s going to encourage natural behaviors. We want them to do what they naturally do.”
Sometimes, however, a treat is called for. Among the items that Disney uses to reward the animals are nutmeg, shredded wheat, honey, apple sauces, peanut butter, popcorn, coconut milk, and even chamomile tea.
“Some of our primates will actually drink tea. They prefer the berry flavors. They are not shy in letting us know if we send them a flavor they don’t like,” Livingston said. “But it’s a way we encourage hydration in the animals.”
A Way To Administer Medications and Vitamins
The treats can also be used to give the animals their medications and vitamins too.
“I make them little fiber patties. I can’t get them to drink like a psyllium drink but I can put it into a weird-looking cookie,” Livingston said. “Things like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice tend to make them a little bit more palatable or at least they’re more willing to eat them.”
For National Pumpkin Day, pumpkins were added to enclosures not only as treats but also as decorations or toys for animals to play with.
So, if you plan on visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom this week, keep an eye out. There may be some extra Halloween festivities going on in the enclosures.