Komodo dragons are the largest, heaviest lizards in the world and one of the few with a venomous bite. They rely heavily on their sense of smell, using their forked tongues to sample the air.
They have not been seen on the island of Padar since the 1970s.
Golden-headed lion tamarins are named for their thick, golden manes. These endangered animals live only in Brazil and, like many tamarin species, are tree-dwelling, fruit-eating primates.
Like other tamarins and marmosets, golden-headed lion tamarins have non-opposable
The secret to salamanders’ survival may be in their slimy secretions. Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are swabbing salamanders in Shenandoah, looking for disease-fighting microbes that live in the mucus on their skin.
Both salamanders and frogs secrete peptides from their skin that have antimicrobial
The sliminess on amphibians is more than just goop—it’s how these animals survive. A scientist and intern from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Conservation Genomics explains.
Have you ever wondered what the difference between a reptile and amphibian is?
One of most common bird species in North America, American robins can be heard singing their cheerful melody in diverse habitats, from deep forest interiors, to rural pastures, to city parks and backyard gardens. They are thought of as the „bringers of spring,“ due to the species‘ reputation for flying south for the winter and traveling northward during the springtime.
Adults have dark gray or black heads, gray backs and wings, and bright reddish-brown
Giant anteaters are the largest of the four anteater species, reaching lengths of 6-8 feet. They are native to Central and South America, where they feed on tiny termites and ants using their 2-foot-long tongue, which can flick in and out up to 150 times per minute.
Fact Sheet Conservation Physical Description Giant anteaters have a
Guinea pigs are rodents that were first domesticated in 5,000 B.C. The domesticated species, Cavia porcellus, is most likely derived from the Andean Cavia tschudii (or montane guinea pig), found in Peru, highland Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and northeastern Chile.
Guinea pigs have no tails.
The ruddy turnstone is a short legged, chunky sandpiper with an extensive wintering range. Turnstones are known for sticking their bills under stones, pebbles and shells, and flipping them over to find food.
Nonbreeding adults have a brown feather pattern.
Since her birth last May, our baby western lowland gorilla, Zahra, has grown and changed so much. Read the latest #GorillaStory update from keeper Carly Hornberger.
Over the last couple months, I have really enjoyed developing a relationship with
There are 30 species of plated lizards, and the African plated lizard (also called the giant plated lizard) is one of the largest. It has a squat body, plate-like scales and powerful legs.
They have thick bodies and powerful legs, which aid in both speed and digging.
