'Tis the season to hibernate, but not everyone shutters themselves away during the coldest months of the year. Plenty of our animal neighbors are still up for a visit, so make a plan to spend some time with this set of furry, finned, and feathered pals.
Do you know what a tortoise eats? You can find out when you join Darwin for mealtime at Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown. He is a youngster at 26, as tortoises are known to live to be 120 years old. Feedings are scheduled for 1:30pm in the afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays during the school year and on Rhode Island public school vacation days. Darwin is surrounded by friendly New England marine life including sharks, rays, and seahorses. BiomesCenter.com
The charm of Charlestown’s Fantastic Umbrella Factory is that you can find a little bit of everything under the sun at this 19th-century property. Whether you’re shopping or visiting the animals roaming their gardens, you’ll be mesmerized by what you discover. You can meet George the emu, feed his clucking chicken friends, and pet the goats as they gently nibble on your coat sleeve. Head on down for a fantastic experience. Open only on weekends in January and February then back to a full schedule in March. FantasticUmbrellaFactory.com
Thirteen is a lucky number when it comes to alpacas. That’s how many of these fuzzy, furry friends you’ll meet at the Matunuck Alpaca Farm. You can meet the alpacas in person on the first Sunday of every month. The small fiber farm creates products that you can purchase at Dove & Distaff Rug Gallery in Wakefield Village. The alpacas would also like you to know that they love baby carrots, so please plan accordingly. Plus they recommend a visit to the Mews Tavern while you’re down their way. MatunuckAlpaca.online
The seals are back and, like most of us, they love Narragansett Bay. The difference is that they love the freezing cold of winter for their swim time. From November through April, Save the Bay offers educational tours departing from Newport Harbor, where you’ll have the chance to watch the finned mammals and other wildlife in their natural habitat. At the same time, you’re supporting a nonprofit organization committed to protecting and preserving our waterways. Now that gets a seal of approval! SaveBay.org
Feeling a little humbug after the holidays? The Humboldt penguins at Roger Williams Park Zoo will bring a smile to your face. These adorably friendly marine birds are a relatively recent addition to the area, but they quickly adapted to their new home at Penguin Point. There are other cold-weather lovers at the zoo as well, like the red panda and the snow leopard. All of these inhabitants are considered vulnerable in their natural habitats, so sheltering them at the zoo is a critical component of their conservation. See them all and much more during a winter visit. RWPZoo.org
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