We’re leaping for joy and celebrating World Lemur Day at Smithsonian’s National Zoo! This special holiday—which takes place the last Friday in October—is the perfect occasion for learning all about our lemur friends.
Unlike other primates, such as monkeys, apes and humans, prosimians usually have
Goats are versatile, domesticated animals kept for meat, milk and fiber. They are intelligent, social and difficult to herd. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo exhibits Nigerian dwarf goats.
Certain breeds have straight noses, while others have convex or slightly dished noses
Smithsonian scientists discuss the impact of the first federal law designed to save endangered and imperiled animals from extinction.
Dozens of species, like the Hawaiian kauaʻi ʻōʻō, have been lost forever.
The tomistoma, also called the false gharial or false gavial, is an endangered freshwater crocodilian with a characteristically long, narrow snout.
Fact Sheet Conservation Meet the Animals Physical Description Tomistoma have
Picture an intelligent mammal. One whose smarts are not only key to their survival but also, in certain situations, to that of humans.
“Many people wonder why we have Norway rats on exhibit at the Zoo, but the truth
This Amphibian Week, take a closer look at what makes these species so wonderfully weird and worthy of our attention.
Have you ever wondered what the difference between a reptile and amphibian is?
Raise your trunks for the world’s largest land mammal: the elephant! Find out how animal keeper, Rebecca Riley, cares for Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Asian elephant herd.
Image: Both female and male African elephants have tusks.
Each August, the Black-footed Ferret Species Survival Plan assesses the entire black-footed ferret population in human care and determines where the ferrets should go next: to the wild or a breeding center! Read on to get Aspen, Swifty and Aster’s full three month update and find out which path the ferrets are on.
The males have wider and rounder heads, while the females have more pointed, elongated
Guam rails are classified as extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but staff at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and partners are working to change the birds’ fate.
Royer: Animal keepers have an amazing opportunity to work with endangered species
A supersized salamander recently debuted at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Reptile Discovery Center. Get the scoop on these freshwater giants from keeper Kyle Miller.
Japanese giant salamanders breathe through their skin, have impossibly small eyes
