Animal Discovery Days shine a spotlight on different animals around the Zoo and celebrate what makes them special and unique. Visitors are invited to join in on the fun! Each day includes special demonstrations, activities and opportunities to learn about wildlife conservation.
Mark your calendars for:
- World Snake Day at Reptile Discovery Center | July 16
- World Elephant Day at Elephant Community Center | Aug. 12
- Sloth Day at Small Mammal House | Oct. 20
- Orangutan Caring Day at Primates | Nov. 14
- International Cheetah Day at Cheetah Conservation Station | Dec. 4
Previous Animal Discovery Days included:
- World Frog Day at Reptile Discovery Center | March 20
- Bear Day along Asia Trail and at the Andean Bear exhibit | April 4
- World Otter Day along Asia Trail | May 29
- World Oceans Day at American Trail and Amazonia | June 8
- World Snake Day
- World Elephant Day
- Sloth Day
- Orangutan Caring Day
- International Cheetah Day
- World Frog Day
- Bear Day
- World Otter Day
- World Oceans Day
World Snake Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Snakes are fascinating animals that play an important role in their ecosystems. Head to Reptile Discovery Center on World Snake Day to learn more about these incredible animals from the zookeepers who care for them. Watch a snake feeding, learn about venom and discover how you can be a friend to snakes in the wild!
World Elephant Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
From trunk to tail, celebrate all things elephant at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Aug. 12! The largest living land mammals, elephants are intelligent, social and complex creatures that researchers are learning more about every day. Prepare for a day of elephant-sized fun and exploration, where you can hear from elephant researchers, play elephant-themed games and attend special training demonstrations.
Sloth Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Did you know that sloths are their own moving ecosystem? Algae can grow on sloth fur, as these leaf-eating mammals slowly make their way through rainforest canopies. Find out more about life in the slow lane at the Smithsonian's National Zoo’s Sloth Day celebration, where you can see a sloth up close, explore sloth-related objects and discover how you can take action to save sloths in the wild.
Orangutan Caring Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Raise awareness for orangutan conservation during the Smithsonian's National Zoo’s Orangutan Caring Week celebration Nov. 14. The Zoo’s orangutans will receive special enrichment, while visitors enjoy games, activities and opportunities to speak with great ape keepers and experts. Festivities will take place in the Great Ape House, with some demonstrations and orangutan viewing opportunities also occurring at Think Tank.
International Cheetah Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Learn about the fastest animal on four paws at the Smithsonian's National Zoo’s International Cheetah Day celebration! Join cheetah keepers and researchers to find out what it takes to care for cheetahs at the Zoo, and discover the amazing adaptations that allow these cats to achieve such incredible speeds. Keeper talks, special enrichment and hands-on learning opportunities will take place at Cheetah Conservation Station.
World Frog Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hop on over to Reptile Discovery Center to kick off spring with the Smithsonian's National Zoo’s World Frog Day celebration! Discover different frog species found around the world, find out why frogs are such a uniquely important part of understanding healthy ecosystems and learn how you can become a frog citizen scientist! Meet frogs and their keepers, as you enjoy frog-themed activities hosted throughout Reptile Discovery Center.
Bear Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Become “bear aware” celebrating the eight species of bear found around the world — three of which live at the Smithsonian's National Zoo! Enjoy special demonstrations at the Andean bear, sloth bear and giant panda exhibits, as well as bear-themed activities for kids and opportunities to learn how to be safe around bears while out in nature.
Teddy Bear Clinic
Kids, bring your teddy bears to the Zoo for a "check-up" as part of the Bear Day festivities! Zoo veterinarians will be at the Bear Day activity area (near the sloth bear exhibit) and will give each teddy bear a special exam to make sure every stuffed friend is in tip-top shape.
World Otter Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Otters need our help! Of the 13 different species of otter, only one — the North American river otter — is not experiencing population decline. Attend an otter feeding or keeper talk, participate in interactive learning opportunities and find out how you can help otters at the Smithsonian's National Zoo’s World Otter Day celebration. Special demonstrations and activities will be held near the Asian small-clawed otter exhibit along Asia Trail.
Schedule
- 9 a.m. | Otter Feeding and Conservation Keeper Chat, Asia Trail
- 10 a.m. | North American River Otter Feeding, American Trail
- 11 a.m. | Otter Feeding and Conservation Keeper Chat, Asia Trail
- 1:30 p.m. | North American River Otter Feeding, American Trail
- 2 p.m. | Otter Feeding and Meet an Otter Keeper, Asia Trail
See the Daily Programs page for a complete list of animal trainings, feeding demonstrations and keeper talks happening around the Zoo.
World Oceans Day
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The oceans provide food, jobs, recreation and even the oxygen we breathe! They are also home to some amazing animals. Join the Smithsonian's National Zoo for World Oceans Day. Celebrate marine species along American Trail, explore the world of coral conservation in Amazonia and discover new ways to help protect ocean habitats worldwide. Activity tables will be set up between the seal and sea lion exhibits on American Trail, with demonstrations occurring at both American Trail and Amazonia.
Schedule
10 a.m. | Seal enrichment and keeper talk, American Trail
11:15 a.m. | Sea lion demonstration, American Trail
See the Daily Programs page for a complete list of animal trainings, feeding demonstrations and keeper talks happening around the Zoo.