‚Hoppy‘ Amphibian Awareness Week! All week long, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute will be sharing stories about amazing amphibians and the scientists working to save them from extinction.
Have you ever wondered what the difference between a reptile and amphibian is?
For Asian elephant keepers, working among the giants of the animal kingdom entails training, enriching and caring for the Zoo’s multi-generational herd, as well as contributing to research and educating visitors about the conservation of this endangered species.
Once we have completed our assessment, we provide them with hay and head outside
Fire-bellied toads, also called bombina, are warty, aquatic toads with bright orange or red undersides. These gregarious frogs are native to China and Russia.
Males, unlike females, also have nuptial pads on the first and second fingers.
With a seal of passion for pinnipeds, American Trail keeper Diana Vogel dives into how she cares for harbor seals!
Many guests are surprised to learn that seals have fur.
The Fly River turtle, or pig-nosed turtle, is the last living member of the Carettochelyidae family of turtles. With flipper-like forelegs, webbed hind legs and a shell covered in soft, leathery skin, it is well adapted to aquatic life.
Fact Sheet Conservation Physical Description Fly River turtles have gray bodies
An unseasonably strong storm in fall 2022 stirred up some romance between two Panamanian golden frogs. Now, Reptile Discovery Center keepers are caring for more than 400 of the couple’s golden-hued hatchlings!
Panamanian golden frogs have very smooth skin, similar to dart frogs.
A sassy new resident made her debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo this week! Animal care staff recently welcomed Amur tiger Nikita to the Great Cats exhibit. Get to know her in this Q&A.
Image: Have Pavel and Nikita met?
Giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji are settling in nicely in their new home at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda’s ShenShuPing Campus.
However, in quarantine they have both indoor and outdoor access with lots of fresh
Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in the world. Their heavy heads, strong jaws, hooked beak and spiked shells give them a prehistoric appearance.
Alligator snapping turtles have long, narrow tongues equipped with an appendage that
Also known as the Iranian leopard gecko, Iranian fat-tailed geckos are lizards found in semi-desert, mountainous regions of northeastern Syria, northern Iraq, west-central Iran, and Turkey.
Iranian geckos also have long toes and spider-like legs that help them climb and
