A Trip to the Zoo
The National Zoological Park in Washington D.C. has animals of all shapes and sizes and ethnicities.
October 17, 2019
The bison is a symbol of the American midwest. The largest terrestrial animals of North America, graceful beasts like Wilma and Zora are often found roaming the plains. They communicate with each other through grunts and snorts to warn intruders.
The critically endangered Philippine Crocodile has a mere population of 100 in the wild. It is one of the most threatened crocodiles that exists. Even though not much is known about them, the Smithsonian is working hard to preserve these beasts.
The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world. Found in southern United States, these carnivorous creatures lure in prey with their worm-like tongue. Their prehistoric appearance adds to the mystique around the snapper.
The black-tailed prairie dog is a type of squirrel, not a dog, surprisingly. They are found in the western United States and really just vibe there. They communicate with an alarming bark, which is why they are called dogs.
The King of the Jungle, and of the Smithsonian National Zoo, the majestic lion rules everywhere she goes. Despite being so naturally feared, they are still in danger. Lions are preserved in the zoo and actually live longer than when they are left in the wild.
This animal stinks. Literally. Its unique odor comes from the maned wolf marking their territory with “powerful-smelling urine” according to www.nationalzoo.si.edu.
One of the closest relatives to humans, Orangutans communicate with facial expressions and body language, much like other primates. There are seven orangutans at the zoo who move between the Great Ape House and the ThinkTank. These intelligent primates are critically endangered due to habitat loss.
The Giant Panda is native to China but only 1864 still live in the wild. The other 300 are found in zoos like the one in D.C. Take the opportunity to see one of the few incredible bears left in the world.
