SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - A one-year-old jaguar cub and his mom woke up to an unexpected surprise Thursday morning at the San Diego Zoo when they encountered piles of fresh snow blanketing their habitat.
One-year-old Valerio and his mom, Nindiri, entered the exhibit cautiously. However, in no time at all, the pair started exploring, climbing and showcasing their natural behaviors while enjoying their new winter wonderland.
This was the first time the two jaguars have encountered snow. Jaguars are typically native to the warmer climates of North and South America. They are the largest cat in the Western Hemisphere, and the third largest of the world's cats.
According the the San Diego Zoo, the 8-tons of fresh snow was provided through a donation to the Zoo's animal care wish list as an enrichment item for the jaguars. The San Diego Zoo provides enrichment items for the animals in their care to encourage their natural behaviors, allowing them the opportunity to thrive.