There’s plenty to see this summer at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Check out five amazing things you won’t want to miss during your next visit.
of marine animals such as sea turtles, an octopus, fish
This eye-catching shorebird is native to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Americas. True to its name, the American oystercatcher feeds on oysters, saltwater mollusks, shellfish and other marine invertebrates, using its thick red bill to jab at shelled prey and pluck the contents from within.
limpets, mussels and chitons, along with the occasional fish
Spotted pond turtles live in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent in the Indus and Ganges river drainages. They are named for the white or yellow spots on their heads, legs and tails.
They also eat mollusks, fish, amphibians and cereal
Crocodile monitors are large, arboreal lizards from southeast Asia. They have black-green bodies with patters of bright yellow spots and stripes and can weigh up to 44 pounds.
but researchers believe they eat birds, mammals and fish
Instantly recognizable, striped skunks are known for their signature coloration and for their ability to emit a strong and pungent odor when upset. They are native to the United States and Canada.
hatchlings and eggs, and hunting amphibians, reptiles and fish
One of only two species of cranes native to North America, the sandhill crane is an impressively large bird that can be identified by its bright red forehead and long neck. Once nearly extinct east of the Mississippi River, their populations have rebounded thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. In the winter months, they form huge colonies sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands.
herons, they rarely wade into open water and hunt for fish
Red knots are stocky shorebirds known for their rusty red plumage during the breeding season. As champions of long-distance migration, many individuals fly nearly 19,000 miles annually between their breeding and wintering grounds.
Fish and Wildlife Service lists the rufa red knot as
Norway rats, also called brown rats, are foragers that can survive on a wide range of food, which has helped them successfully spread across the world.
Rats have been known to catch fish and prey on lizards
Treat dad like the king (of the jungle) he is at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo!
meters) long, arapaima are the largest freshwater fish
Four new sets of owl eyes have joined the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute family this year in Washington, D.C. Give a hoot for Bird House keeper Heather Anderson and American Trail keeper Jackie Spicer as they talon their stories of caring for native owl species.
: Beyond small rodents, barred owls eat crayfish, fish
