Animals at Smithsonian's National Zoo

These are the animals Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. listed on its website when we gathered this information. Use these pages to prepare for a field trip or follow up afterward.

This list was last checked in October 2026. Animals sometimes move to other zoos, so an animal listed here may no longer be at Smithsonian's National Zoo. Before your visit, check the zoo's website or contact the zoo to make sure the animals you want to see are still there.

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Amazonia (28)

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African Clawed FrogXenopus laevisA flat, fully aquatic African frog with clawed toes, used widely in research and now invasive on four continents.Aquatic CaecilianTyphlonectes natansA legless, worm-like South American amphibian, nicknamed the 'rubber eel,' that lives in rivers.ArapaimaArapaima gigasOne of the world's largest freshwater fish, an air-breathing Amazon giant that sucks in food like a vacuum.Banded LeporinusLeporinus affinisA torpedo-shaped yellow fish with bold black bands from fast Amazon streams that eats plants and fruit.Barred Tiger SalamanderAmbystoma mavortiumOne of the longest land salamanders in North America, a striped burrower of western grasslands and deserts.Black PacuColossoma macropomumA big, gentle, fruit-eating Amazon fish related to piranhas, also called the tambaqui.Brazilian Rainbow BoaEpicrates cenchriaAn Amazon boa whose scales act like tiny prisms, making its skin shimmer with rainbow colors.

Corals and Sea AnemonesClass AnthozoaStinging, flower-like sea animals; reef-building corals create giant structures like the Great Barrier Reef.Cranwell's Horned FrogCeratophrys cranwelliA round, big-mouthed 'Pac-Man frog' from South America's Gran Chaco that sometimes tries to swallow prey bigger than itself.Eastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescensA small newt with red, black-ringed spots that lives in water, then on land as a red 'eft,' then in water again.Electric EelElectrophorus electricusA long South American fish, more closely related to catfish than eels, that can make up to 800 volts of electricity.Flagtail CharacinSemaprochilodus theraponuraA silvery Amazon fish with boldly striped black-and-orange tail fins that migrates upriver to spawn.Fowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleriA small, warty eastern North American toad whose females can lay strings of up to 20,000 eggs.Freshwater StingrayPotamotrygon species, including Potamotrygon motoroOne of the few rays that live in rivers instead of the ocean, a flat Amazon fish with a stinging tail spine.Gray Tree FrogHyla versicolor (also called Dryophytes versicolor)A color-changing eastern tree frog that survives winter by partly freezing.Green AracariPteroglossus viridisA small toucan from northeastern South America with a green back and a bright red, yellow and blue saw-edged bill.Guinea PigCavia porcellusA chatty, tailless rodent that people in South America domesticated thousands of years ago.Lemur Leaf FrogAgalychnis lemurA critically endangered, color-changing tree frog of Central America that lays its eggs on leaves over water.Panamanian Golden FrogAtelopus zetekiA bright golden, poisonous frog that is Panama's symbol of good luck. It has not been seen in the wild since 2009 and survives in zoo breeding programs.

Poison Dart FrogsFamily Dendrobatidae (about 220 species)A family of about 220 tiny, brightly colored rainforest frogs whose bold colors warn predators that their skin is poisonous.Red-bellied PiranhaPygocentrus nattereriAn Amazon fish with a red belly and sharp teeth that often nips fins from bigger fish and helps clean up rivers.Red-Footed TortoiseChelonoidis carbonariaA South American tortoise with black skin and red patches like glowing coals that spreads seeds by eating fruit.Roseate SpoonbillPlatalea ajajaA bright pink wading bird of the Americas that sweeps its spoon-shaped bill through shallow water to catch food.Smooth-sided ToadRhaebo guttatus (also called Bufo guttatus)A big, mottled brown South American forest toad with unusually smooth skin and powerful toxin glands.Suckermouth CatfishAncistrus cirrhosus and Baryancistrus xanthellusA bony-plated South American catfish, also called a plecostomus or 'janitor fish,' that scrapes algae with its sucker mouth.Twig CatfishFarlowella speciesA long, thin South American catfish that looks like a stick and is one of the only fish known to eat wood.Wattled JacanaJacana jacanaA 'lily trotter' with enormously long toes for walking on floating plants; fathers raise the chicks.Yellow-spotted Amazon River TurtlePodocnemis unifilisA side-necked South American river turtle with yellow head spots that can live up to 70 years.

American Trail (9)

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Andean BearTremarctos ornatusSouth America's only bear, a tree-climbing mountain bear with cream-colored 'spectacle' markings around its eyes.

Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusThe national bird of the United States, a fish-eating eagle that came back from the edge of extinction.North American BeaverCastor canadensisNorth America's largest rodent, a busy builder whose dams make ponds that many other animals use.Brown PelicanPelecanus occidentalisThe smallest pelican and the only one that plunge-dives from high in the air to catch fish.California Sea LionZalophus californianusA noisy, playful sea lion of the Pacific coast that swims up to 30 miles per hour with its front flippers.Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioA small, stocky owl with ear tufts and gray, brown or red feathers that hides in tree holes in eastern North America.Gray SealHalichoerus grypusA big North Atlantic seal, nicknamed the horsehead seal for the males' long, arched noses.North American River OtterLontra canadensisA playful, streamlined otter of North American rivers and wetlands that slides, swims and eats up to a fifth of its weight each day.Red WolfCanis rufusThe world's most endangered wolf, a family-pack hunter that now lives in the wild only in eastern North Carolina.

Asia Trail (7)

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Asian Small-clawed OtterAonyx cinereusThe world's smallest otter, a chatty, social otter from Asia that feels for crabs and clams with its nimble front paws.Clouded LeopardNeofelis nebulosaA tree-climbing wild cat of Asian forests with cloud-shaped spots and the longest canine teeth for its skull size of any wild cat.Fishing CatPrionailurus viverrinusA sturdy, spotted wild cat of South and Southeast Asia that swims and scoops fish from the water.Giant PandaAiluropoda melanoleucaA black-and-white bear of the mountain bamboo forests of southwestern China that eats almost nothing but bamboo.KoiCyprinus carpio (domesticated)Colorful pond fish bred in Japan from common carp, with over 100 varieties of reds, whites, blacks and golds.Red PandaAilurus fulgensA red, bushy-tailed tree climber of Himalayan and Chinese mountain forests that eats bamboo but is not related to the giant panda.Sloth BearMelursus ursinusA shaggy black bear of India and Sri Lanka that slurps up termites and carries its cubs on its back.

Bird House (69)

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American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaAn elegant shorebird with blue legs and a long, upturned bill that it sweeps through shallow water to catch food.American FlamingoPhoenicopterus ruberThe brightest-colored flamingo, also called the Caribbean flamingo, that filter-feeds with its bill upside down.American Golden PloverPluvialis dominicaA speckled gold-and-black shorebird that may fly about 20,000 miles a year between the Arctic and South America.American OystercatcherHaematopus palliatusA chunky black-and-white shorebird with a bright red-orange bill that it jabs into shells to eat oysters and clams.American WigeonMareca americanaA noisy North American duck, nicknamed 'baldpate' for the male's white cap, that grazes on land as well as water.Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaA bright orange-and-black songbird that weaves a hanging pouch nest; a baseball team is named after it.Band-tailed PigeonPatagioenas fasciataNorth America's largest pigeon, a fast-flying forest bird and the closest living relative of the extinct passenger pigeon.Barred OwlStrix variaA big, brown-eyed forest owl whose call sounds like 'Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?'Black-and-white WarblerMniotilta variaA zebra-striped warbler that creeps along tree trunks like a nuthatch; its song sounds like a squeaky wheel.Black-bellied Whistling DuckDendrocygna autumnalisA long-legged, pink-billed duck that whistles like a squeaky toy and often nests in tree holes.Black-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanusA black-and-white wading bird whose long pink legs are, for its size, longer than any bird's except a flamingo's.Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensA yellow-faced warbler of northern forests that sings a buzzy 'zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee' from the treetops.Blue GrosbeakPasserina caeruleaA deep-blue songbird with a big bill and rusty wing bars, found in thickets across the southern United States.Blue Ground DoveClaravis pretiosaA small tropical dove whose males are powder blue; it calls with a loud 'boop.'Blue-billed CurassowCrax albertiA critically endangered black forest bird from Colombia with a curly crest and a bright blue knob on its bill.BuffleheadBucephala albeolaNorth America's smallest diving duck, with a big round head; it nests in old woodpecker holes.CanvasbackAythya valisineriaNorth America's largest diving duck, named for the male's canvas-colored back and fond of wild celery.Carolina WrenThryothorus ludovicianusA small, loud, cinnamon-colored backyard bird whose song sounds like 'teakettle-teakettle-teakettle.'Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumA sleek, masked, fruit-loving bird with waxy red wing tips that wanders in flocks to find berries.Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasA small marsh warbler whose males wear a black 'bandit' mask and sing 'witchety-witchety-witchety.'DunlinCalidris alpinaA drooping-billed sandpiper with a black belly patch in summer that flies in swirling flocks up to 55 mph.GadwallMareca streperaA gray-brown dabbling duck whose plain look hides finely patterned feathers; its numbers have grown with wetland protection.Grasshopper SparrowAmmodramus savannarumA small, hard-to-spot grassland sparrow whose buzzy song sounds like an insect.Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisA sleek gray backyard songbird, cousin of the mockingbird, named for its cat-like 'meow' call.Greater RheaRhea americanaSouth America's largest bird, a flightless runner related to ostriches; fathers hatch and raise the chicks.Horseshoe CrabLimulus polyphemusA 'living fossil' older than the dinosaurs, more closely related to spiders than crabs, with blue blood.Indigo BuntingPasserina cyaneaA small, brilliant-blue songbird of fields and roadsides that migrates at night by the stars.Kori BustardArdeotis koriOne of the world's heaviest flying birds, a ground-walking hunter of African grasslands that puffs up its neck to show off.Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaA yellow-and-black warbler named after a magnolia tree, though it actually prefers spruce and fir forests.MummichogFundulus heteroclitusA tough little killifish of Atlantic marshes that handles pollution and salt changes, and was the first fish in space.Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosA gray songbird famous for copying the songs of other birds and even frogs and dogs; a male may learn about 200 songs.Northern PintailAnas acutaA slender, long-tailed duck nicknamed 'the greyhound of the skies' that has been seen on every continent but Antarctica.Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataA duck with a huge, shovel-shaped bill that it uses to strain tiny animals and seeds from the water.Orchard OrioleIcterus spuriusThe smallest North American blackbird relative, a chestnut-and-black oriole that weaves hanging nests in shade trees.OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaA small forest warbler that walks on the ground and builds a domed nest shaped like an old-fashioned oven.Painted BuntingPasserina cirisOne of North America's most colorful birds: males are blue, red and green, called 'nonpareil,' or 'without equal.'Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumA brown-and-yellow warbler that bobs its tail as it hunts on the ground and nests in northern bogs.PumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusA colorful, pumpkin-seed-shaped North American sunfish whose fathers guard the nest.Red KnotCalidris canutusA robin-sized shorebird that flies up to about 19,000 miles a year and refuels on horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay.Red-eyed VireoVireo olivaceusA green woodland songbird with ruby-red eyes that holds a record for singing more than 22,000 songs in 10 hours.

Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusOne of North America's most common birds; males flash red shoulder patches and boldly defend their marsh territories.RedheadAythya americanaA diving duck whose males have cinnamon-red heads; females often lay eggs in other ducks' nests.Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusA black-and-white songbird whose males wear a bright rose-red patch on the chest; a cousin of the cardinal.Ross's GooseAnser rossiiNorth America's smallest white goose, a 'pint-sized' snow goose that nests in huge Arctic colonies.Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisA small diving duck of the Americas with a bright blue bill, whose males drum their bills to make bubbles when courting.Ruddy Quail-doveGeotrygon montanaA shy, cinnamon-colored tropical forest dove that walks quietly on the ground looking for fruit and seeds.Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresA sturdy, orange-legged shorebird that flips over stones and shells to find food, true to its name.SanderlingCalidris albaThe world's most widespread sandpiper, the little bird that runs back and forth chasing waves on sandy beaches.Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensis (also called Grus canadensis)A tall gray crane with a red forehead and a rattling call; its species has been around for millions of years.Scarlet IbisEudocimus ruberA bright red wading bird of northern South America that feeds mostly on crayfish and small crabs.Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaA brilliant red-and-black songbird that hides high in the forest canopy; its song sounds like a robin with a sore throat.Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusA small, plump plover with a black 'necklace' and partly webbed toes that nests in the sub-Arctic.Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaA sparrow-sized sandpiper that can double its weight before flying nonstop up to 2,000 miles over the ocean.Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusA chunky shorebird whose 'short' bill is twice as long as its head; it probes mud like a sewing machine.Snow GooseAnser caerulescensA noisy Arctic-nesting goose that migrates in flocks of hundreds of thousands and comes in white and 'blue' forms.Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaA streaky brown sparrow heard across North America, with songs that vary from place to place.Southern CassowaryCasuarius casuariusA huge flightless rainforest bird of New Guinea and Australia with a bony helmet, a blue-and-red neck and a dagger-like claw.Striped Hermit CrabClibanarius vittatusA small Atlantic hermit crab with striped legs that politely trades shells with other crabs instead of fighting.Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusA robin-shaped forest thrush with a flute-like, upward-spiraling song; nicknamed the 'mosquito thrush.'Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaA tiny greenish warbler that only passes through Tennessee; it nests in Canada's boreal forest.Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoA big, strong-legged bird of North American forests whose gobble carries a mile; the ancestor of farm turkeys.Turquoise TanagerTangara mexicanaA small, shiny blue-and-black tanager from South American forests that lives in tight family flocks.White-cheeked PintailAnas bahamensisA quiet tropical duck with bright white cheeks and a red-based bill that lives in saltwater marshes and lagoons.White-throated SparrowZonotrichia albicollisA striped-crowned sparrow whose song sounds like 'Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada.'Whooping CraneGrus americanaNorth America's tallest bird, a white crane with a booming call that is slowly recovering from near extinction.Wood DuckAix sponsaA colorful crested duck that nests in tree holes; its ducklings leave the nest just a day after hatching.Wood ThrushHylocichla mustelinaA spotted forest thrush with one of the most beautiful songs of any animal; the official bird of Washington, D.C.Yellow-breasted ChatIcteria virensA big, bright-yellow songbird that hides in thickets, sings jumbled songs and holds food with its feet.Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataNorth America's most abundant warbler, nicknamed 'butter-butt' for the bright yellow patch above its tail.

Claws & Paws Pathway (5)

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BinturongArctictis binturongA shaggy, tree-climbing "bearcat" of Southeast Asia that smells like popcorn and grips branches with its tail.BobcatLynx rufusNorth America's most common wild cat, a patient, spotted hunter with ear tufts and a short 'bobbed' tail.Chacoan PeccaryCatagonus wagneriA pig-like hoofed mammal of South America's dry Gran Chaco, known only from fossils until it was found alive in 1975.North American PorcupineErethizon dorsatumA big, slow-moving forest rodent covered in about 30,000 loose quills that stick in a predator's skin.Pallas's CatOtocolobus manulA fluffy, flat-faced wild cat of Central Asia's cold, rocky grasslands that hides behind rocks to ambush rodents.

Elephant Trails (1)

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Asian ElephantElephas maximusThe largest land animal in Asia, a smart and social forest elephant that talks to its herd with deep rumbles.

Great Cats (5)

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Bat-eared FoxOtocyon megalotisAn African fox with huge ears that can hear termites underground, and more teeth than almost any other mammal.Black-Tailed Prairie DogCynomys ludovicianusA burrowing ground squirrel of the Great Plains that lives in huge "towns" and barks to warn of danger.Canada LynxLynx canadensisA northern forest cat with black ear tufts and big furry feet that let it walk on snow while it hunts snowshoe hares.LionPanthera leoA large wild cat of the African savanna that lives in family groups called prides.Amur TigerPanthera tigris altaicaThe largest cat in the world, a pale, thick-furred tiger of the snowy forests of eastern Russia and northern China.

Kids' Farm (6)

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Huacaya AlpacaVicugna pacosA fluffy domestic alpaca first raised by Andean people in Peru more than 6,000 years ago for its soft, warm fleece.ChickenGallus gallus domesticusThe domestic chicken, a farm bird descended from Asia's red junglefowl; there are more chickens on Earth than any other bird.CowBos taurusDomestic cattle, descended from the extinct aurochs and raised around the world for milk and meat.Nigerian Dwarf GoatCapra aegagrus hircusA small, easygoing dairy goat breed of West African ancestry known for rich milk, often born three or four at a time.Kunekune PigSus scrofa domesticusA small, round, short-snouted pig breed kept by the Maori people of New Zealand, often with two tassels hanging from its chin.Miniature DonkeyEquus asinus (miniature breed)A naturally small, gentle donkey from the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

Primates (7)

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Allen's Swamp MonkeyAllenopithecus nigroviridisA stocky, greenish-gray monkey from the swamp forests of central Africa that forages in trees and shallow water.Black-and-White Ruffed LemurVarecia variegataThe largest lemur, a critically endangered fruit-eater of eastern Madagascar's rainforests that raises its babies in nests.Caribbean Hermit CrabCoenobita clypeatusA land-dwelling hermit crab of tropical Atlantic shores that protects its soft body inside a borrowed seashell.

Bornean OrangutanPongo pygmaeusA critically endangered red-haired great ape of Borneo's rainforests that lives mostly alone in the treetops and eats mostly fruit.

Ring-Tailed LemurLemur cattaAn endangered primate of southwestern Madagascar with a black-and-white striped tail, female-led troops and a love of sunbathing.SiamangSymphalangus syndactylusA long-armed gibbon of Southeast Asian rainforests that calls with a deep boom, using a throat sac that swells as big as a grapefruit.

Western Lowland GorillaGorilla gorilla gorillaA critically endangered great ape of Central Africa that lives in small family troops led by a silverback.

Reptile Discovery Center (53)

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African Plated LizardMatobosaurus validus (formerly Gerrhosaurus validus)A big, squat southern African lizard covered in plate-like scales that wedges itself into rock cracks when threatened.Aldabra TortoiseAldabrachelys giganteaOne of the world's largest tortoises, from the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, which can weigh 550 pounds and may live 150 years.Alligator Snapping TurtleMacrochelys temminckiiThe largest freshwater turtle in the United States, which lures fish into its open jaws with a worm-like bit on its tongue.American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisA big, armored reptile of the southeastern U.S. swamps and rivers that can go through 3,000 teeth in its life.Australian Big-headed TurtleEmydura australisA river turtle from northwestern Australia with a head too big to pull into its shell and strong jaws for crushing snails.Australian Snake-necked TurtleChelodina longicollisA southeastern Australian turtle whose neck can be more than half as long as its shell.Black Tree MonitorVaranus beccariiA sleek, shiny black monitor lizard from Indonesia's Aru Islands that climbs with sharp claws and a grasping tail.Black-headed PythonAspidites melanocephalusA northern Australian python with a glossy black head that warms itself by poking just its head out of a burrow.Caiman LizardDracaena guianensisA green, red-headed South American lizard with crocodile-like scales that swims well and crushes snails with its strong jaws.Chinese AlligatorAlligator sinensisA small, critically endangered alligator from China's Yangtze River that digs long underground tunnels.Chinese Crocodile LizardShinisaurus crocodilurusA semiaquatic lizard from China and Vietnam with crocodile-like tail scales that can sit motionless for hours.Cuban CrocodileCrocodylus rhombiferA small, agile crocodile found only in two Cuban swamps that can leap from the water to snatch prey from branches.Corn SnakePantherophis guttatusA harmless orange-and-red constrictor of the eastern United States, also called the red rat snake, with a belly like Flint corn.Eastern Indigo SnakeDrymarchon couperiThe largest native nonvenomous snake in the United States, a glossy black snake that shines blue in sunlight and even eats rattlesnakes.Eastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereusA small, lungless woodland salamander that breathes through its skin and can drop its tail to escape.Emerald Alligator LizardAbronia gramineaA teal-green Mexican lizard that lives about 130 feet up in cloud forest treetops among bromeliads.Emperor NewtTylototriton shanjingA highly toxic, black-and-orange newt with bony head ridges from the mountains of western China.False Water CobraHydrodynastes gigasA large South American floodplain snake that flattens its neck like a cobra when threatened.Fiji Banded IguanaBrachylophus bulabulaA bright green tree iguana found only on the Fiji Islands; males wear wide blue or pale green bands.Fly River TurtleCarettochelys insculptaA pig-nosed freshwater turtle with flipper-like front legs and a leathery shell, the last of its turtle family.Gila MonsterHeloderma suspectumThe largest lizard native to the United States, a black-and-pink venomous desert lizard whose venom led to diabetes medicines.Grand Cayman Blue IguanaCyclura lewisiA big, blue-gray rock iguana found only on Grand Cayman, the island's largest native land animal.Green Tree PythonMorelia viridisA bright green rainforest python of New Guinea and northern Australia whose babies hatch yellow or red and later turn green.HellbenderCryptobranchus alleganiensisThe largest salamander in the Americas, a flat, wrinkly river giant that breathes mostly through its skin.Home's Hinge-back TortoiseKinixys homeanaA small West African forest tortoise with a sharply angled shell that eats mostly insects, unusual for a tortoise.Iranian Fat-tailed GeckoEublepharis angramainyuA yellow, web-patterned gecko of dry mountains in the Middle East that rises on tiptoe and squeals when scared.Japanese Giant SalamanderAndrias japonicusThe world's second-largest salamander, a 5-foot river dweller from Japan that can live more than 70 years.Komodo DragonVaranus komodoensisThe largest living lizard, a venomous predator found only on a few Indonesian islands that can smell food miles away.Lemur Leaf FrogAgalychnis lemurA critically endangered, color-changing tree frog of Central America that lays its eggs on leaves over water.Long-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicaudaA yellow-orange salamander with black spots whose tail makes up about 60 percent of its length.Mangrove SnakeBoiga dendrophilaA glossy black, yellow-banded tree snake of Southeast Asian mangroves, also called the yellow-ringed cat snake.McCord's Box TurtleCuora mccordiAn extremely rare Chinese box turtle first discovered in a food market and likely extinct in the wild.New Caledonian Giant GeckoRhacodactylus leachianusThe world's largest gecko, a 14-inch rainforest lizard from New Caledonia that can drop and regrow its tail.Common Blue-Tongued SkinkTiliqua scincoidesA chunky Australian lizard that sticks out a bright blue tongue to scare predators.Northern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix mokasenA copper-colored venomous snake of the eastern U.S. with hourglass-shaped bands that blend into fallen leaves.Northern Pine SnakePituophis melanoleucus melanoleucusA powerful, nonvenomous constrictor of dry pine woods that digs burrows in sandy soil.Oriental Fire-bellied ToadBombina orientalisA small, warty green toad whose bright red-orange belly warns predators that its skin is toxic.Painted River TerrapinBatagur borneoensisA critically endangered Southeast Asian river turtle whose males grow a bright red stripe on the head in breeding season.Panamanian Golden FrogAtelopus zetekiA bright golden, poisonous frog that is Panama's symbol of good luck. It has not been seen in the wild since 2009 and survives in zoo breeding programs.

Poison Dart FrogsFamily Dendrobatidae (about 220 species)A family of about 220 tiny, brightly colored rainforest frogs whose bold colors warn predators that their skin is poisonous.Solomon Islands SkinkCorucia zebrataThe world's largest skink, a tree-dwelling, mostly vegetarian lizard of the Solomon Islands with a tail that can grab branches.Puff AdderBitis arietansA thick, well-camouflaged African viper that puffs itself up and hisses loudly instead of fleeing.Shenandoah SalamanderPlethodon shenandoahOne of North America's rarest salamanders, found only on three mountaintops in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park.Smallwood's AnoleAnolis smallwoodiA big green Cuban tree lizard with blue spots that flashes a colorful throat fan to look bigger.Spotted Pond TurtleGeoclemys hamiltoniiA black turtle covered in white or yellow spots from the ponds and marshes of northern South Asia.Spotted TurtleClemmys guttataA small, endangered black turtle of eastern North America sprinkled with yellow spots that help it hide among duckweed.Timber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridusA large rattlesnake of the eastern U.S. that waits patiently in ambush and has been found climbing 80 feet up trees.Timor PythonMalayopython timoriensis (also called Python timoriensis)An active, high-strung Indonesian python that, despite its name, doesn't live on the island of Timor.Tokay GeckoGekko geckoA big, spotted Asian gecko named for its loud 'to-kay' call; it often lives in houses and eats insect pests.TomistomaTomistoma schlegeliiA Southeast Asian crocodilian, also called the false gharial, with a very long, narrow snout for catching fish.Vietnamese Mossy FrogTheloderma corticaleA bumpy green-and-black frog that looks like a clump of moss and rolls into a ball to play dead.Yellow-headed Day GeckoPhelsuma klemmeriA tiny, neon-bright Madagascar gecko that hides inside cracks in bamboo canes.Yellow-spotted Amazon River TurtlePodocnemis unifilisA side-necked South American river turtle with yellow head spots that can live up to 70 years.

Small Mammal House (31)

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Bearded Emperor TamarinTamarinus subgrisescensA small Amazon monkey with a long white mustache, thought to be named after a German emperor.Bennett's WallabyNotamacropus rufogriseus (also called Macropus rufogriseus)A red-necked wallaby from eastern Australia and Tasmania that grazes at twilight and raises its joey in a pouch.Black and Rufous Elephant ShrewRhynchocyon petersiA speedy East African sengi with a trunk-like nose that is more closely related to elephants than to shrews.Black-footed FerretMustela nigripesNorth America's only native ferret, a prairie hunter that was nearly lost and saved by breeding programs.Brush-tailed BettongBettongia penicillataA small, hopping Australian marsupial, also called the woylie, that digs up underground fungi to eat.Cotton-Top TamarinSaguinus oedipus (also called Oedipomidas oedipus)A squirrel-sized, critically endangered Colombian monkey with a wild crest of long white hair on its head.Dwarf MongooseHelogale parvulaAfrica's smallest carnivore, a social mongoose that lives in packs led by a dominant female.Fennec FoxVulpes zerdaThe world's smallest wild dog, a pale desert fox with giant ears that help it stay cool and hear prey under the sand.Goeldi's MonkeyCallimico goeldiiA small, shaggy black Amazon monkey that leaps between trees and eats mushrooms in the dry season.Golden Lion TamarinLeontopithecus rosaliaA tiny, bright-orange monkey with a lion-like mane that lives only in Brazil's Atlantic Coastal Forest.Golden-headed Lion TamarinLeontopithecus chrysomelasA small black monkey with a golden mane, found only in the coastal forests of Bahia, Brazil.Southern Three-Banded ArmadilloTolypeutes matacusA small South American armadillo, the only kind that can roll up into a complete armored ball.Long-tailed ChinchillaChinchilla lanigeraA soft, gray mountain rodent from the Andes of Chile with some of the thickest fur of any land animal.MeerkatSuricata suricattaA small, social desert mammal of southern Africa, also called the slender-tailed meerkat, that takes turns standing guard.Naked Mole RatHeterocephalus glaberA nearly hairless underground rodent of East Africa that lives in colonies run by a single queen, like bees.Northern Tree ShrewTupaia belangeriA squirrel-like mammal from Southeast Asian rainforests that belongs to its own unique order of mammals.

Prehensile-tailed PorcupineCoendou prehensilisA South American tree porcupine that grips branches with its strong, muscular tail.Prevost's SquirrelCallosciurus prevostiiA striking black, white and red-brown tree squirrel from the forests of Southeast Asia.Przewalski's HorseEquus ferus przewalskiiThe last truly wild horse, a stocky dun-colored horse of Mongolia that was extinct in the wild and has been brought back.Pygmy Slow LorisXanthonycticebus pygmaeus (formerly Nycticebus pygmaeus)A tiny, big-eyed night primate that licks sap from trees and is one of the few venomous mammals.Red Ruffed LemurVarecia rubraA critically endangered orange-red lemur with a black face and a thick neck ruff, found only on Madagascar's Masoala Peninsula.Red-Rumped AgoutiDasyprocta leporinaA long-legged South American rodent that buries nuts and is the only animal in its area that can crack Brazil nut pods.Rock HyraxProcavia capensisA small, furry African animal that looks like a rodent but is actually a distant relative of elephants.Sand CatFelis margaritaA small, pale desert cat with furry feet that can go weeks without drinking and even hunts venomous snakes.Screaming Hairy ArmadilloChaetophractus vellerosusA small, hairy South American armadillo that squeals loudly when it is threatened.Southern Lesser GalagoGalago moholiA tiny, big-eyed southern African bushbaby that leaps through trees at night and loves tree gum.Southern TamanduaTamandua tetradactylaA tree-climbing anteater from South America that slurps up ants and termites with a 16-inch tongue.Striped SkunkMephitis mephitisNorth America's most common skunk, a black-and-white animal famous for its smelly defensive spray.Two-Toed SlothCholoepus didactylusAn upside-down rainforest mammal of Central and South America that sleeps about 15 hours a day and grows algae in its fur.White-faced SakiPithecia pitheciaA shaggy South American monkey whose males have bright white faces; it can leap 33 feet in one bound.White-nosed CoatiNasua naricaA raccoon relative from the Americas with a long, bendy snout and a ringed tail held high like a flag.