Spooky snacks! Animals at UK zoo enjoy carving (eating) pumpkins for Halloween

Animals at UK's Whipsnade Zoo got into the Halloween spirit by tucking into a feast of spooky pumpkins and seasonal treats.

A greater one-horned rhino, ring-tailed and black lemurs and Sulawesi crested macaques were given carved squashes packed with food as part of their enrichment.

Ring-tailed lemurs Delilah and Diego, alongside black lemurs Camila and Kahagi, used their noses to sniff out sweetcorn and peppers hidden among the Halloween haul.

The zoo's mischievous macaques also got stuck in, using their dextrous hands to rummage through the pumpkins in search of seeds and pulses.

Meanwhile, greater one-horned rhino Hugo appeared unfazed by the spooky set-up as he snuffled around the scented treats before tucking into a mammoth breakfast of hay and cabbage.

Keepers regularly use food puzzles, scent trails and other activities to encourage the animals to use their natural instincts.

Camilla, a female Black Lemur, explores a Halloween pumpkin for tasty treats at Whipsnade Zoo, in Dunstable

Camilla, a female Black Lemur, explores a Halloween pumpkin for tasty treats at Whipsnade Zoo, in Dunstable

She got into the Halloween spirit by tucking into a feast of spooky pumpkins and seasonal treats

She got into the Halloween spirit by tucking into a feast of spooky pumpkins and seasonal treats

Ring Tailed Lemurs Delilah (left) and Diego (right) used their noses to sniff out sweetcorn and peppers hidden among the Halloween haul

Ring Tailed Lemurs Delilah (left) and Diego (right) used their noses to sniff out sweetcorn and peppers hidden among the Halloween haul

Fulawesi Crested Macaques used their dextrous hands to rummage through the pumpkins in search of seeds and pulses

Fulawesi Crested Macaques used their dextrous hands to rummage through the pumpkins in search of seeds and pulses

Cahagi, a male Black Lemur, was given carved squashes packed with food as part of their enrichment

Cahagi, a male Black Lemur, was given carved squashes packed with food as part of their enrichment

Hugo, a Greater One Horned Rhino, appeared unfazed by the spooky set-up as he snuffled around the scented treats before tucking into a mammoth breakfast of hay and cabbage

Hugo, a Greater One Horned Rhino, appeared unfazed by the spooky set-up as he snuffled around the scented treats before tucking into a mammoth breakfast of hay and cabbage

Matthew Webb, Head of Zoological Operations at Whipsnade Zoo, said: 'Our zookeepers spend the whole year coming up with inventive new ways to encourage our animals' instincts, including following scent trails and foraging to find food.

'As everyone counts down to Halloween, our zookeepers used seasonal squashes to make sure the animals don't miss out on any of the fun - and put their incredible natural skills to the test!'

Original source Spooky snacks! Animals at UK zoo enjoy carving (eating) pumpkins for Halloween

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