Late autumn is the season when we change our wardrobes for winter, and it's the same for animals. Maruyama Zoo (@marudou_fan) in Sapporo recently posted about the Ezo snow hare's "wardrobe change" on Twitter, and their adorable, fluffy appearance is warming everyone's hearts.

本日の #エゾユキウサギ
換毛が進んでほとんど白色になっています#円山動物園 #maruyamazoo pic.twitter.com/5iY0dCv0AK

— 札幌市円山動物園（公式） (@marudou_fan) October 27, 2022

The white, fluffy winter coat of the Ezo snow hare looks just like snow. But did you know they have a different fur color from spring to autumn?

The Ezo snow hare's summer coat is light brown. If you only see their winter form, it's hard to believe it's the same rabbit, isn't it? Maruyama Zoo's official social media introduces other animals that are also "changing their clothes," so let's take a look!

The plump and round Ezo raccoon dog. It makes you want to give it a big hug. In summer, their fur is short, giving them a leaner impression, but to prepare for winter when food is scarce, they not only grow more fur but also gain about 1.5 times their body weight!

And here's a fan favorite at Maruyama Zoo, the polar bear, also in its winter form. Although they are white year-round, polar bears are a bit plumper in winter. Their fur is said to be hollow inside to enhance its insulating effect. That's how they can withstand the extreme cold.

This is a raccoon. Its winter fur is so fluffy and cute! At first glance, you might mistake it for a raccoon dog, but if you look at the tail, the one with stripes is the raccoon.

Prairie dogs, native to North America, are also fluffy and chubby!! They look so warm huddled together. Other animals like the Ezo squirrel and Ezo flying squirrel are also starting to prepare for the coming winter.

What did you think? Why not bundle up and visit Maruyama Zoo to see the animals in their fluffy winter coats? Their adorable antics will make you forget all about the cold!

*Update as of 14:11, November 7, 2022
Quick update! On November 4th, Maruyama Zoo's Twitter reported that "the Ezo snow hare has turned almost completely white!" They look just like fluffy, squishy snow. They're all set for the cold winter.

本日の #エゾユキウサギ
換毛には個体差がありますが、ほとんど真っ白になりました#円山動物園 #maruyamazoo pic.twitter.com/X42gCQoTK9

— 札幌市円山動物園（公式） (@marudou_fan) November 4, 2022

Maruyama Zoo

■Location: 3-1 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
■Hours:
Summer: March 1 - October 31, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Last admission at 4:00 PM)
Winter: November 1 - end of February, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Last admission at 3:30 PM)
See more details about Maruyama Zoo on Domingo

＜Image courtesy of＞
Maruyama Zoo