Scientists identify best practices for reintroduction of endangered and extinct amphibians in a new publication.
limosus has been threatened by the deadly chytrid fungus, which is believed to have
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.
Adults have long, thick, pointed beaks that are reddish-orange in color.
It looks like the angriest housecat you’ve ever seen, but it’s actually the Pallas’s cat: a small Asian wildcat known for its thick fur and unusual face.
Pallas’s cats have the densest fur of any cat in the world.
The plain chachalaca is a long-tailed bird that lives in North and Central America, spanning from Texas to Costa Rica. Distantly related to chickens and turkeys, these birds are named after their unique call, which sounds like „cha-cha-LAW-ka“.
They have small heads, bare legs, and tails with white tips.
This brilliantly-colored orange and black songbird has a clear, flute-like whistle that varies based on the individual. Common in forests and fields in eastern North America during spring and summer. Females build bag-shaped nests that hang from tall, leafy trees.
Fact Sheet Conservation Physical Description Males and females have different
Always free of charge, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them.
Shoveler Ducklings For the first time since 1908, northern shoveler ducklings have
We’ve answered some of the most-searched questions about ostriches to get you better acquainted with these big, flightless birds.
Scientists have seen ostriches run continuously at speeds of 30-37 mph and sprint
Meerkats are active carnivores that live in burrows in Africa. These social animals live in groups, called mobs, with as many as 30 individuals that keep watch and scare off predators or other meerkats.
Description A member of the mongoose family, meerkats (also known as suricates) have
A special delivery of cheetah milk recently arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s milk bank (the largest milk repository in the world). Find out what researchers hope to learn from this unique milk sample.
Izzy was also raised by keepers, and they have spent years training her to voluntarily
Vostok is a new face at the Zoo’s Great Cats exhibit. Explore how animal care staff helped him adjust to his new home.
Image: Smithsonian/Charlie Shaw “You have to let them talk back to you with their
