Small Mammal News
April 26, 2013
A 7-year-old sand cat named Thor is the newest addition to the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Small Mammal House exhibit.
Recent News
Study Finds Baby Marmosets More Likely to Become Obese if Transition to Solid Food Faster
April 10, 2013
Companion study finds young obese monkeys more likely to have pancreas problems.
March 4, 2013
Figuring out the sex of a porcupine can be a difficult task. They aren't always easy to handle, and when they are young they show no sexual dimorphism. But veterinarians, geneticists, and keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo have figured out a novel and easy way to determine the sex of prehensile-tailed porcupines, and all it takes is a single quill.
August 9, 2012
The new exhibit at Small Mammal House uses radiographs and artifacts to explain the relationship between body structure and behavior of animals. Visitors will see some interesting X-rays and learn how animals move, eat, and play.
Smithsonian Scientists Find Female Coatis Help Offspring of Other Females
May 22, 2012
Unexpected Result Challenges Understanding of the role of kinship in mammals.
National Zoo Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Naked Mole-Rats
October 18, 2011
Twenty years ago today, the National Zoo welcomed naked mole-rats into its collection. These rodents, which are more closely related to porcupines and guinea pigs than to moles or rats, are one of only a handful of mammals that exhibit eusocial behavior.
September 29, 2011
Two juvenile northern tree shrews emerged from their nest in the Zoo's Small Mammal House on September 29. Keepers estimate they were born on August 20 and determined they are both female.
Vet Stories: A Porcupine's Tail
January 1, 2004
Soon after Winnie, a prehensile-tailed porcupine, arrived at the Zoo in 2004, her keepers discovered that the end of her tail was injured.
