Howdy, Partner! A Zoo Animals First “Date”

Finding the perfect mate for an animal is only the first step on the road toward a successful birth. Once a match is made, the focus turns to introductions. But a first “date” for a zoo animal looks a little different than it does for people — and requires a lot more planning.

Before things get serious, potential breeding pairs participate in what is known as a “howdy.” During a howdy, animals are given visual access to one another through a barrier. During this brief meeting, staff keep a close eye on key behavioral cues that indicate how receptive two animals may be to one another and if the female may be in estrus, the period of a female animal’s hormonal cycle where she is capable of conceiving.

This information is critical, as a wrongly timed introduction for any animal can be stressful, and for some species, even fatal. Animals like tigers and leopards only come together as a pair for breeding, and a physical introduction needs to be timed perfectly. Positive interactions during a howdy indicate that a physical introduction is likely to go well. Any signs of aggressive behavior mean that timing is not right for a pair to come together.

After a successful introduction, breeding pairs will spend differing amounts of time with one another. Animals like lynx, binturong, and tree kangaroo may be able to safely cohabitate together for a period of time, while tigers and leopards will immediately be separated.

A safe, successful introduction between animals would not be possible without the expertise and dedication of zookeepers and animal care staff. Donors like you help to power critical work like this, making more successful births possible at the Minnesota Zoo.