The loggerhead shrike is a songbird slightly smaller than a robin. Despite its small stature, the behaviors of a shrike reflect those of a raptor. It is commonly known as the „butcherbird“ or „thorn bird“ for its habit of impaling prey on sharp objects, such as thorns and barbed wire fences.
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Brown pelicans are found along both coasts of North America. Though once threatened by the insecticide DDT, they were one of the first species to recover from the effects and have since been removed from the Endangered Species List.
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Intelligent, social, hardy animals, donkeys have been domesticated for their milk, strength and companionship for more than 6,000 years.
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The Guam kingfisher (sihek) is a medium-sized bird with a large head and strong beak. It is an aggressive bird that establishes and defends nesting territories, and it has a loud, raspy, distinct call. This species was once found only on the island of Guam but is now extinct in the wild.
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Ring-tailed lemurs are named for the 13 alternating black and white bands that adorn their tails. Unlike most other lemurs, ringtails spend 40 percent of their time on the ground, moving quadrupedally along the forest floor.
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The North American river otter is the most abundant otter species, but surprisingly little is known about its life in the wild. These otters are frequently observed playing and sliding together.
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The northern copperhead is a large, venomous snake found across the eastern United States in terrestrial and semiaquatic habitats. This copper-colored snake has an unmarked head and chestnut brown, hourglass-shaped crossbands along its body.
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She’s spunky, engaging and loves eating bugs. Get to know this 10-year-old female sloth bear, the newest resident of the Zoo’s Asia Trail.
Tabellario and Muheim solved the problem with—what else
North America’s only native ferret species, black-footed ferrets were once thought to be extinct in the wild. Thanks to breeding and reintroduction programs, they have made a remarkable recovery.
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Southwestern Gabon’s protected Gamba Complex is home to gorillas, forest elephants and sea turtles; it also contains the country’s largest oil development. Smithsonian scientists and partners are working to protect the region’s forests and biodiversity.
rich in biodiversity, with species found nowhere else
