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.
Physical Description North American river otters, also called Canadian otters, have
The Home’s hinge-back tortoise is a small tortoise found throughout the coastal regions of the Gulf of Guinea in Western Africa. Its distinct shell angles down at the back.
Females grow larger than males, but males have longer, thicker tails.
Let’s play a game…for science! With a tap of the touch-screen computer, orangutans at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo try their memories at matching pictures. These games help scientists study the apes’ metacognition.
For example, orangutans have to try to remember where food is located.
Critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemurs are native only to Madagascar, where they live in trees and are most active during the day.
Not all individuals have the same black and white markings, but their hands, feet
May 10, 2015 Watch Wild Inside the National Zoo: Episode 10: Curious Cubs for awesome footage of Mayni and Muniri playing.
Since Nov. 15, keepers have presented Billie Jean with some food and some flakes
Collared brown lemurs are found in southeastern Madagascar and are named for the collars of reddish-brown fur around their necks.
Females have lighter gray fur on their heads and faces, as well as reddish-brown,
Specialized to live in deserts, the addax is a shy, cautious antelope notable for its long, twisted horns. This species was once abundant throughout Northern Africa, and now inhabits just a tiny fraction of its former range.
Both males and females have short, shaggy manes, with dark patches between their
Pumpkinseeds are North American freshwater fish that are very similar in appearance to their cousins, the bluegill.
Female pumpkinseeds often have more vivid stripes.
The American alligator is a large crocodilian with an armored body, short legs, a muscular tail and a long, rounded snout. This reptile nearly went extinct but is now considered a conservation success story.
They have four short legs; the front legs have five toes while the back legs have
Enjoy these 50 facts about giant pandas in honor of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Giant Panda 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Scientists and conservationists have worked to restore the giant panda’s habitat
