Zoos: FUN, INFORMATIVE, OFTEN OVERLOOKED

Zoos: FUN, INFORMATIVE, OFTEN OVERLOOKED Leland Culver, Berk Oto, Clare O'Connor

Local zoos are a great place for fun and and information delivered in a hands-on way that is accessible to all ages, but many people do not realize the opportunities provided by these close-by worlds of wonder. This is the story of the Smithsonian's National Zoo, a free place that exemplifies many qualities of zoos. Photos by Berk Oto and Leland Culver, taken Nov. 22, 2019 at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. Information gathered from the National Zoo's website, https://nationalzoo.si.edu/

A Von der Decken's Hornbill, native to dry regions in eastern Africa, perches atop a dead tree outside the Small Mammal House. Female Von der Decken hornbills bury themselves alive for two months to hatch and care for their chicks, her mate feeding her and her chicks through an opening in the nest.

Left, seal trainer Sam Milne feeds a treat to a seal she is working with. Above, Catie and Jackie, zoo visitors, walk down one of the zoo's many winding paths towards the entrance to "Amazonia," one of the indoor exhibits. While business at the National Zoo proceeds no matter the weather, indoor exhibits become more popular in rain.

The brightly-colored Blue Poison Frog, a frog that secretes a toxin through its skin, sits motionless in its terrarium in the Reptile House. Blue Poison Frogs acquire their toxicity through their diet, meaning they are not toxic in captivity.

"The Language Game" is one of many activities in the "Think Tank" indoor exhibit designed to get kids interested in studying the brains and behavior of animals. A big part of this exhibit is the orangutans who can be observed and even interacted with.

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