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Zoo nutritionist, Erin, holds screaming hairy armadillo, Sherman. Erin is wearing a black mask, navy jacket and light blue latex gloves. Sherman's front paws rest on Erin's left hand as he too looks at the camera.

November 04, 2021

How to Care and Feed Elephants, Sloths and More

Get a taste of the challenges animal nutritionist Erin Kendrick faces as she formulates diets for all animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

A Guam rail (bird) stands on a small scale to be weighed

November 04, 2021

How Do You Weigh Animals at the Zoo?

Keepers can learn a lot about an animal’s needs just by monitoring its weight. But how do you weigh a wiggly ferret or get a full-grown elephant onto a scale? Find out in this update from primate keeper Erin Stromberg.

Asian elephants Maharani (foreground) and her mother Kamala (background) explore the Elephant Trails habitat.

October 01, 2021

How to Care for Asian Elephants

Raise your trunks for the world’s largest land mammal: the elephant! Find out how animal keeper, Rebecca Riley, cares for Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Asian elephant herd.

Jan. 27 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji had his first taste of bamboo this week!

June 14, 2021

The Science Behind Animal Snacks

How do you create a menu that is pleasing to the palates of giant pandas, flamingos and fishing cats?

A male Asian elephant, named Spike, with large white tusks and a long trunk stands outside in the sun near a pool of water at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

April 29, 2021

How Do You Care for Animals That You Can’t Share a Space With?

How do animal keepers take a blood sample from an elephant or examine a big cat's teeth? Find out how training helps keepers care for animals that they can't share a physical space with in this update.