Gadwalls may appear to be simple brown ducks from afar. But up close, their subtle beauty and intricately patterned plumage emerges. Gadwalls are dabbling ducks, meaning they feed by tipping their heads downwards to feed while floating—sticking their tails and feet in the air in the process.
18-22 inches (46-57 centimeters) long, weigh 17-44 ounces (500-1,250 grams), and have
When Echo’s five cubs were born last fall, their exact parentage was a mystery. A genetic analysis conducted by Smithsonian scientists revealed the truth.
Cheetahs have staggeringly poor genetic diversity.
Asia Trail is home to the some of the largest continent’s most unique species: sloth bears, red pandas, Asian small-clawed otters, clouded leopards and fishing cats.
Red Pandas For decades, SCBI scientists have studied red pandas both in the wild
Check out the latest news and updates about cheetahs.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and the Columbus Zoo have
The Reptile Discovery Center team is warming up to a new monitor lizard this winter. The young Komodo dragon, named Onyx, moved into his new habitat Dec. 10.
Komodo dragons have thick, leathery skin, strong claws, sharp teeth and a venomous
Eastern indigo snakes are one of the largest North American snakes, reaching lengths of 5-7 feet. They are nonvenomous and found across the southeastern United States.
Females have the ability to store sperm and delay fertilization of eggs if necessary
Training tigers to show their teeth and preening prickly porcupines is all in a day’s work for keeper Dell Guglielmo!
The goal is for them to have a positive association of us (their keepers) so that
Poison frogs living in human care aren’t poisonous, thanks to a “detox” diet of mild insects, like crickets and fruit flies. Can adding alkaloids to a frog’s diet help it regain its toxins and get its “spice” back?
They can consume these insects because they have unique genetic mutations that prevent
Standing eye-to-eye with a southern cassowary, it is easy to see how this giant bird is considered the dinosaurs’ closest living relative. In October 2020, we took two of these avian ambassadors under our wing: brothers Irwin and Dundee.
They do not, but they have some seriously amazing defense mechanisms in place.
The Zoo’s historic Bird House may be under renovation, but that has not stopped the animal care team from bringing native shorebirds, songbirds and waterfowl under their wing to establish best practices in husbandry and breeding. In the past few months, keepers celebrated many significant hatchings behind the scenes.
We currently have 67 flamingoes in our flock and welcomed four chicks — three males
