Proper Care for Phobids: Shadowlings
The fear of shadows and the dark has been a common fear spanning the entire existence of humanity. And throughout myths and legends there have always been stories of creatures in darkness taking you, or shadows that belong to no one stalking you. This primordial fear has led to a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes with one of our exhibits, the Shadowlings. One of our personal favorite exhibits, we take care of these phobids that we spot all over the midwest.
Shadowlings were one of our first projects here at the Zoo After Dark. In fact our founder, Briella Starosta, discovered the species during a trek in Yellowstone. She felt as if she was being followed, seeing a shadow tailing her, but when she finally used her flashlight, she discovered the shadow did not disappear or belonged to anyone. It stayed in the light, even following it as she moved it around.
Note: The shadow in the center belongs to zoo curator Jane Campbell, and the ones on her sides are two of our phobids posing for the camera. Ms. Campbell took this picture while standing in front of a spotlight. Note how you can see where Jane is standing and how her shadow is being cast while the other two are simply 2-dimensional
We get a lot of stories from guests about they're afraid of shadowlings and that they're afraid of the dark in general, all of which are completely reasonable. However, we here at the Zoo After Dark would like to clear up some misconceptions people have had about the Shadowlings, so as to make the experience much more calming and enjoyable.
Despite public perspective, living shadows are not actually dangerous nor do they enjoy the dark. In fact shadowlings actively avoid darkness and shadows as it is indistinguishable with their normal body and they mistake it for other shadowlings. These lovely phobids are quite claustrophobic and tend to avoid close clusters of darkness thinking it's their own kind. That being said they are by no means antisocial creatures and they do enjoy playing with other shadows made by people and animals. Our activities director, Athena Austin, has recently encouraged them to try shadow puppetry using their bodies. They have gotten quite good and their wooly mammoth puppet is impressive.
So you are possibly wondering why there are many stories of people being stalked by shadows while in dark places, if shadowlings are as docile as we say they are, why do something only a wild animal hunting would do? Well it's a surprisingly simple explanation. Humans have a natural aversion to the dark and so they seek out any light sources. Shadowlings follow humans because humans find light sources easier. The more light, the less claustrophobic the phobid is. Shadowlings depend on us to seek out light for them.
Now it is important to clarify that not all humanoid shadows following you should be met with warmth and a welcoming hug since that could possibly be something less docile than a shadowling. But while you are here at the zoo, we encourage you to play with these wonderful creatures.
We've discovered that these phobids do not eat. Yes we've even tried feeding them shadows of actual food, they seem content to simply exist and play with everyone.
The zoo provides a lot of enrichment for these phobids that you can also participate in. Ms Austin and Campbell set up a series of lamps and spotlights around the enclosure so they aren't anxious. They have also set up a few walls facing the guests that are a little more dimly lit, but not enough for them to get anxious. The Zoo After Dark provides miniature spotlights near the visiting area of the shadowlings so guests may be able to play with the shadowlings by creating shadow puppets or simply letting them follow the bright light. We have found this decreases their stress level immensely and provides an enriching experience for all parties involved.
Besides shadow puppetry by guests and our staff, shadowlings do not do much in terms of active exercise or physical stimulation and seem content in playing when engaged with and sleeping underneath the light.
Note: The picture above shows a view of one of their enclosures with a group of shadowlings playing inside. The spotlights for guests have been removed for the night.
Fun fact! A group of shadowlings is called a "Gloom"
Their enclosure is equipped with a full skylight so they can get as much access to sunlight as possible, to save on energy. Their penns are also equipped with overhead fluorescent and spotlights aimed at precise angles to prevent as many shadows as possible. The floor is concrete painted a light green to allow more light to be reflected and to mimic outdoor grass. The lights are solar powered with a back-up generator in the event of a black out.
We have also learned recently that they enjoy fairy lights as a few of the shadowlings followed Jane around as she set them up around the offices near the shadowlings enclosure. Since then we received a few kind donations from zoo guests of fairy lights to set up in their enclosure. The phobids stress level has dramatically decreased. One shadowling in particular has taken a liking to the colorful Christmas lights one guest donated, we have named them "Kenneth."
Note: The above picture is fanart created by one of our zoo guests, for Kenneth.
We plan to add more colorful lights to their enclosure in the future.
Operations Director, Romeo Salomon, has started funding for an exhibition show with the shadowlings where we hire dancers that will dance in front of a bright spotlight with a few of the shadowlings dancing with their shadow for the zoo guests. So we encourage guests to donate funds for this activity as it would prove enriching for the phobids.
In the unlikely event that a shadowling or gloom of shadowlings escape enclosure, we urge you not to panic as they are docile towards humans. While again we do caution guests of going towards humanoid shadows in general, do not be alarmed if they do escape and if you are 100% certain they are a shadowling or gloom of shadowlings, engage in some playful movements with them while we locate and escort them back to the enclosure.
The Zoo After Dark is hard at work in building a new exhibit for the shadowlings called the "Hall of Shadows" where you can walk through an enclosure filled with shadowlings and let them play with your shadow as you explore!
We asks guests to follow certain etiquettes when observing each of the phobid exhibits
Do not attempt to actively overshadow the shadowlings with any shadow puppets.
Do not attempt to make any threatening poses with your own shadows. This makes them nervous.
No shining black lights at them.
While we encourage you to bring your own lights, do not bring anything that would cause an epileptic episode for guest safety.
Do not throw food into their enclosure in an attempt to feed them. They do not eat and do not know you are trying to feed them. They are skittish.
The shadowlings do not recognize you as their own if you wear all black, attempting to make contact while doing this is prohibited.
No obscene shadow puppets.
Do not attempt to try anything that would be obscene towards the shadowlings themselves.
Flash photography is encouraged (not mandatory).
Guests who attempt to harm the phobids or disregard these rules may be warned or asked to leave the zoo.
Repeat or heinous offenders may be banned from the zoo for an indeterminate amount of time or may be taken to local law enforcement.
You now know more about one of our most esoteric residents. For more information and a better experience, join us at the Zoo After Dark.
