Visit the Zoo

Get up close to the animals of the Amazon, including turtles, sting rays, arapaima and roseate spoonbills. Or, see cutting-edge Zoo science at Amphibian Alert and the Coral Lab.

American Trail is the place where Zoo visitors can get their feet wet while learning about California sea lions, red wolves, bald eagles, brown pelicans and beavers.

Asia Trail is home to the some of the largest continent's most unique species: sloth bears, red pandas, Asian small-clawed otters, clouded leopards and fishing cats.

The Bird House exhibit invites Zoo visitors to soar into the fascinating world of shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds from the Americas.

Meet binturongs, bobcats, Pallas' cats and porcupines along Claws & Paws Pathway.

Elephant Trails is more than an exhibit; it is also an extensive conservation program built on decades of science. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s rich history of caring for and studying Asian elephants spans more than a century.

Some of the top predators on the planet live at the Great Cats exhibit, including African lions and Sumatran tigers.

At Kids’ Farm, visitors can see cows, alpacas, hogs, donkeys, goats, chickens and fish.

This gallery of photos and stories highlights Smithsonian efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and to train future generations of conservation scientists.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to over a dozen species of primates. The homestead for the Zoo’s gorillas and orangutans is the Great Ape House.

The Reptile Discovery Center celebrates the diversity, beauty and unique adaptations of more than 70 reptiles and amphibians.

Scurry into the Small Mammal House and get up close with animals like sand cats, golden lion tamarins and naked mole-rats.