Animals

Meet the Animals of the National Zoo

Meet Our Animals

Displaying 1 to 8 of 221 Animals

Aldabra tortoise

Exhibit: Reptile Discovery Center

Asian elephant

Exhibit: Elephant Trails

Beaver

Exhibit: American Trail

Fennec fox

Exhibit: Small Mammal House

Giant panda

Exhibit: Asia Trail

Kori bustard

Exhibit: Bird House

Lion

Exhibit: Great Cats

Orangutan

Exhibit: Primates

Animal News

A flock of turkeys in the autumn light
November 13, 2026

10 Turkey Facts to Gobble Up This Thanksgiving ›

Dive into the juicy history of America’s favorite barnyard bird.

Visitors interact with a sea lion underwater
November 09, 2026

Inside the Zoo’s Aquatic Environments, a Dedicated Team Keeps the Water Clean, Cool and Salty ›

The life support systems team monitors the Zoo’s water habitats with the same level of care that keepers devote to the animals.

Photo from an animal live stream camera showing an adult female cheetah with five tiny cubs in a den.
October 09, 2026

The Smithsonian National Zoo's Cheetah Cub Cam Returns — With Five Adorable Reasons to Tune In ›

Four generations of one cheetah family now live at the Zoo's off-campus research facility. Meet the newest members.