We rounded up the animal antics and species conservation stories that made us laugh, smile and cheer in 2021. Take a look back at some of our favorite moments caught on video.
Screaming hairy armadillo Sherman goes wild for enrichment Sherman the screaming
The banded rock rattlesnake is a venomous species native to parts of the southern United States and Mexico. It is light gray with dark, gray-black bands along the length of its body.
is native to the southern U.S. and Mexico, ranging from southeastern Arizona to western
Celebrate and look back at some of the groundbreaking achievements made by Smithsonian scientists this year.
Once Extinct, Guam Sihek Released to the Wild Image: Photo credit: Thomas
Representatives from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute helped lead a Giant Panda Laboratory Diagnostic International Exchange Training workshop with staff from the China Conservation & Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in November.
These workshops have trained veterinary staff from zoos and wild animal parks all
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientist Michael Power and primate keeper Erin Stromberg discuss the science behind great ape milk in this Q & A.
Their wild counterparts, however, typically don’t try solid foods until they are
Chameleon forest dragons have green or brown bodies with orange and tan markings. Despite their name, they are not true chameleons but can still change color to blend into their habitat.
forest dragons live in the wet, tropical forests of Southern Malaya, Sumatra and Western
As frogs around the world continue to disappear—many killed by a rapidly spreading disease called chytridiomycosis, which attacks the skin cells of amphibians—one critically endangered species has received an encouraging boost.
looking for a cure so that someday we can safely release the frogs back into the wild
From sweet snuggles to sassy vocalization and snatching snacks, it’s been a busy June for our growing meerkat pups!
In the wild, meerkat pups typically remain in an underground burrow for about 3 weeks
Green tree pythons are named for their vibrant green color. These nonvenomous snakes and found in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and the northeast Cape York Peninsula of Australia.
Lifespan The green tree python’s lifespan in the wild is believed to be an average
Alligator snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in the world. Their heavy heads, strong jaws, hooked beak and spiked shells give them a prehistoric appearance.
Their range stretches from Iowa, west into Texas, and east into Georgia and northern
