Animals in this Exhibit
Venture to Amazonia and get up close to the animals that thrive along the Amazon River — the largest river basin in the world. Explore the flooded forest, rich with turtles, sting rays and arapaima, one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world. Trek through the rainforest where hawk-headed parrots and roseate spoonbills roam free.
Catch a training session: keepers use a target to encourage the arowana to leap out of the water to catch prey, just as wild arowana do. Then, discover the buzz around Amazonia's Electric Fishes Demonstration Lab. This multisensory lab is home to aquatic species, such as black ghost knifefish, bluntnose knifefish and elephant-nose knifefish.
In the Amazonia Science Gallery, get a look at cutting-edge Zoo science and learn how we are working to protect species around the globe. There, you can also see two in-depth exhibits — Amphibian Alert and the Coral Lab.
At the Amphibian Alert exhibit, peer into the world of frogs, salamanders, caecilians and other threatened amphibians. Learn how Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists are working to save the wild populations of these species from the deadly chytrid fungus.
At the Coral Lab exhibit, learn how corals support life in the ocean and on land. Watch the tentacles of the elegance coral sway in the current and spot clownfish hiding among the anemones.
SCBI scientists have pioneered techniques for collecting and freezing the genetic material of 12 coral species from around the world. In the future, this material could be used to repopulate reefs that are susceptible to climate change, bleaching and newly emerging diseases.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo provides its animals with enrichment—physically and mentally stimulating toys, activities, social groups and environments. At Amazonia, enclosures were designed to mimic a tropical rainforest where dozens of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians move freely throughout the exhibit.
Enrichment is tailored to each species, giving an animal the opportunity to use its natural behaviors in novel and exciting ways. Within Amazonia's dome, visitors find a living tropical forest with hundreds of species of plants, including 50-foot trees, tropical vines and epiphytes. Living kapok, avocado and cacao trees spread their roots in this enclosed habitat. Every tree, vine and stone was purposefully placed by Zoo staff to encourage animals to explore their enclosures. In the aquarium, lettuce and other vegetables are suspended from an array of feeders, encouraging the Arrau turtles to forage for food just as they would in the wild.
In addition to environmental enrichment, many animals participate in training sessions. This social enrichment provides the animals with exercise and mental stimulation while reinforcing the relationships between animals and keepers. Keepers are training the Zoo’s arapaimas to hold still and touch their noses to a target. Watch a video of the arapaima getting a checkup by Zoo veterinarians.
