Smithsonian's National Zoo's photostream  

Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian's National Zoo

Cassowaries are probably the closest you'll ever come to seeing a living dinosaur. Come see one at the Zoo!

nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Birds/NewsEvents/cassowary.cfm

Photo courtesy of Clint Kelly, NZP/SCBI supporter.

Cheetah mother Amani watches over her brood of sleepy cubs. Male cubs stay with their mothers until they’re about 18 months old, and female cubs stick around until they are two or even three years old.

Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian's National Zoo

Meet a tiny animal with a whole lot of groove—the sexy dancing shrimp (Thor amboinensis)! Native to Indo-Pacific waters, they received their name because of the way they “sashay” their abdomens/tails back and forth. Zoo visitors can spot them in the Invertebrate Exhibit, but look closely—they’re less than 1-inch-long! (Hint: They’re housed with corals and tube anemones.)

Photo Credit: Jim Jenkins, Smithsonian's National Zoo

A big change is in the wind this winter for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s lions. The time when all “magnificent seven” juveniles can share a yard at the Great Cats exhibit is winding down, and Animal Care staff have begun preparations for separating the 1½-year-old male juveniles from their father, mothers and sisters.

Over the next couple of weeks, visitors will still have the opportunity to enjoy the playful antics of the entire pride. Lion/Tiger Keeper Rebecca Stites will join the Zoo’s behavior watch team to note the juveniles’ social interactions, look for territorial markings, and watch for other cues that suggest Baruti, John and Aslan are ready to be in their own bachelor group.

To learn more about managing a pride of growing lions, read the latest keeper update on the Zoo’s website: nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GreatCats/LionUpdates/default.cfm.

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Photo Credit: Jim Jenkins, Smithsonian's National Zoo

A big change is in the wind this winter for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s lions. The time when all “magnificent seven” juveniles can share a yard at the Great Cats exhibit is winding down, and Animal Care staff have begun preparations for separating the 1½-year-old male juveniles from their father, mothers and sisters.

Over the next couple of weeks, visitors will still have the opportunity to enjoy the playful antics of the entire pride. Lion/Tiger Keeper Rebecca Stites will join the Zoo’s behavior watch team to note the juveniles’ social interactions, look for territorial markings, and watch for other cues that suggest Baruti, John and Aslan are ready to be in their own bachelor group.

To learn more about managing a pride of growing lions, read the latest keeper update on the Zoo’s website: nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GreatCats/LionUpdates/default.cfm.

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