Even though the sky may be gray and the air chilly, the winter months can be the perfect time to visit the many zoos in and around New Jersey.

Most zoos remain open throughout the year, and offer a much different experience during the more frigid months than they do during the heat of the summer.

From smaller crowds to seeing the animals frolic in the snow, visiting the zoo in the winter can be an amazing experience.

1. Chilly temps bring out the fun

Many of the animals who live at the zoo enjoy the cooler temperatures and are much more active when the winter months arrive. Gorillas, big cats, and polar bears are just a few zoo residents who love the winter time. At Philadelphia Zoo, Coldilocks, a 36-year-old polar bear, lives for the days she can roll around in the snow. At the Cape May County Zoo, the Siberian tigers, otters, snow leopards, and red pandas all look forward to snowy days. Alexander Ernst, associate veterinarian at the Cape May Zoo, said even the lions, cheetahs, zebras, and antelope enjoy the chilly temperatures, as long as it's not bitter cold or too windy outside.

Lion cubs' first snow

2. Get up close and personal in the cold

Amur tiger brothers Wiz and Dimitri, who live in Big Cat Falls at the Philadelphia Zoo, can often be seen wandering through the Zoo360 trails, exploring the area around their enclosure. Also, this winter, guests can see the red pandas exploring the Tree Top Trail section of the Zoo360 trail. Zoo360 is a first-in-the-world system of mesh trails that pass through the treetops, cross over visitor walkways, and connect habitats, that gives the animals exciting opportunities to travel and explore the zoo.

A tiger rests in Big Cat Crossing, looking down on visitors as he cleans his paw. Big Cat Crossing is an extension of Philadelphia Zoo's Zoo360 animal trail system which offers more opportunities for long-distance travel, greater variety in their environments, and an increased ability to determine their own experiences while creating a more dynamic visitor experience. May 2014. (Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com)
 

3. Take a break from the cold

Most zoos have various indoor exhibits where guests can warm up during their visit. Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River has a monkey house where guests can visit Buster and Kay Leigh, two White-faced Capuchin monkeys who were bought as pets, but surrendered to the zoo due to New Jersey laws. Now the silly pair can be seen jumping and playing together, always trying to get the attention of visitors. Mango the Iguana and Spikette the spiny lizard can be seen in Popcorn Park Zoo's reptile house where the weather inside is always warm and cozy. At the Cape May Zoo, the Reptile House and World of Birds Aviary are open year round. Ernst said it always feels like summertime inside those buildings.

The Mertens' water monitor in the Reptile and Amphibian House at the Cape May County Zoo in Cape May Court House, July 2015. (Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com)Lori M. Nichols 

4. No need to fight the crowd

In the warmer months, the biggest headache associated with zoos is the mobs of animal lovers flooding the place on weekends. But Ernst said the Cape May Zoo is very quiet during the winter. "Instead of crowds in the thousands during a typical summer day, the winter crowds can be just dozens," Ernst said. Smaller crowds at zoos in the winter allow for more time to observe the animals, read about them and learn from the informational signage that surrounds the enclosures, and possibly even chat with a zoo keeper. Plus, it's quieter for the animals, too: "any animals that may be shy during the summer are more active when there aren't as many people here," Ernst said.

Foster, aka Buster, a Red Kangaroo at the Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River. (File photo)File photo 

5. Enjoy a chilly but cheaper visit

Several New Jersey zoos are free of charge all year round, but some of those that do charge admission lower the cost during the winter. Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange has reduced admission costs to $12 for adults and $10 for children and seniors until March 31. It's free to visit the Bergen County Zoo during the winter season, and anyone can visit the Philadelphia Zoo for $16 through Feb. 28.

Bengal tiger cub brothers, Mahesha and Rishi, play at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton on Jan. 11, 2017. (Tim Hawk | For NJ.com)Tim Hawk

Here are 8 zoos in and around New Jersey to visit during the winter.

Cohanzick Zoo is located at 99 Mayor Aitken Drive in Bridgeton. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during the winter. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call 856-453-1658, visit cohanzickzoo.org or Facebook.

Cape May County Park and Zoo is located at 707 North Route 9 in Cape May Court House. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily during the winter. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call 609-465-9300 or visit cmczoo.com.

Turtle Back Zoo is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily during the winter. Winter admission through March 31 for adults is $12, children 2 to 12 and seniors older than 62 is $10, and children 23 months and younger are free. For more information, call 973-731-5800 or visit turtlebackzoo.com.

Popcorn Park Zoo is located at 1 Humane Way in Forked River. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children 12 and younger, and children under 3 are free. For more information, call 609-693-1900 or visit ahscares.org.

Bergen County Zoo is located at 216 Forest Avenue in Paramus. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission is currently free for the winter season. For more information, call 201-262-3771 or visit co.bergen.nj.us. 

Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 West Girard Avenue in Philadelphia. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Winter admission through Feb. 28 is $16 for adults, $16 for children between 2 and 11, and kids younger than 2 are free. For more information, call 215-243-1100 or visit philadelphiazoo.org.

Central Park Zoo is located at 64th Street and 5th Avenue in New York City. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily during the winter. General admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children, and $9 for seniors. For more information, call 212-439-6500 or visit centralparkzoo.com.

Brandywine Zoo is located at 1001 North Park Drive in Brandywine Park, Wilmington, Delaware. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. The zoo is closed Monday and Tuesday during the winter. Admission is free through February. For more information, call 302-571-7747 or visit brandywinezoo.org.

Kelly Roncace may be reached at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellyroncace. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

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