KEEPERS at a zoo have been handing out special Halloween treats to the animals.

Animals at Marwell Zoo have been offered pumpkins and are said to have all demonstrated different reactions and behaviours to the gifts.

In the wild, Asian small-clawed otters, bokiboky and Guianan squirrel monkeys spend time searching for and manipulating their food, so keepers scattered insects inside the carved pumpkins to encourage foraging behaviours.

The Burmese mountain tortoises ate whole pumpkins using their jaws whilst Marwell’s inquisitive male Amur tiger, Bagai, investigated and played with his pumpkin, batting the treat around with his powerful paws before taking it into his pool.

The zoo has now put together a range of photos and videos to show these unique reactions.

Animal behaviourist Dani Free, said: “These photos show how a novel and unexpected item like a pumpkin can benefit animal welfare by promoting positive emotions and expression in species, such as curiosity, interest and contentment.”