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A Lesson in Biodiversity and Species Conservation,
The National Zoo



On December 2nd, 2006 the Earth, Life, and Time freshmen and sophomores visited the National Zoo in Washington, DC. My group visited our required animal houses as well as stopping by and watching many other animals. Our mission was to research on sixteen animals at the zoo (and note their habitats, diet, and conservation status) as well as report on the many conservation efforts made by the Smithsonian Institute and the National Zoo. The following is my report on sixteen unique and beautiful species, all of whom I found to be very interesting and worthy of note.



The Asia Trail

  • The Clouded Leopard, or Neofelis nebulosa, is a native species of Southeast Asia and lives in the treetops of dry woodlands or tropical forests. They are carnivores and eat animals such as birds and monkeys. Completely adapted to arboreal life, they have tails almost as long as their whole bodies to use for balance and strong paws so they can hold onto branches and jump from tree to tree. The Clouded Leopard is listed as a vulnerable species because of competition between humans for land and resources. Here is a picture of me holding the skull of the Clouded Leopard and a picture of it in its habitat.



  • The Small Clawed Otter, or Aonyx cinerea, is an adorable species that live by the rivers and streams of Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Southern China, and the Philippines. They eat small animals like crabs and frogs and are listed as a vulnerable species. They are also considered an indicator species which tell researchers how the entire habitat is doing and problems that exist.


  • The Sloth Bear, or Melursus ursinus, lives in India and Sri Lanka, feasting on a variety of food. They eat fruit such as mangos and pears, but also dig out termites and ants. Merlin, the adult male sloth bear, has reached the age of 25 (the normal lifespan of sloth bears) but does not show signs of weariness or old age. The sloth bear is listed as a vulnerable species.


  • The Fishing Cat, or Prionailurus viverrinus, hunts fish, birds, and snakes. It is a very powerful swimmer and its body has adapted to swimming instead of climbing or jumping. They live in the tropical wetlands of Southern Asia and on the islands of Java and Sri Lanka as well as China and parts of Vietnam. Their habitats are threatened by human populations draining their wetland and cutting down forests, this is why they are also listed as a vulnerable species.


  • The Red Panda, scientific name Ailurus fulgens, is the original species classified as a “panda”. They look something like a cross between a fox/raccoon and a panda bear. This cuddly species feasts on bamboo and berries and lives in the forests of China and the Himalayas. Because of a loss of habitat, this panda species is listed as endangered.




    • The Reptile Discovery Center

  • The Gila Monster, or Heloderma suspectum, inhabits the desert region of southwest United States and Mexico. It is a carnivore and paralyzes its prey through venom in its lower jaw after biting it. It is an abundant species.


  • Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman, or Paleosuchus palpebrosus, although small in stature makes up for its size by having bony plates called osteoderms, which are under the skin of its head and back like armor. It lives in rivers, lakes, and flooded forests in northern South America. This species has an abundant status and is carnivorous.


  • Green Crested Basilisk, scientific name Basiliscus plumifrons, is a fascinating creature because when escaping a predator, it can run across the surface of the water, a great escape mechanism. They are omnivores and eat insects and leaves. The Green Crested Basilisk lives in the tropical rainforests of Central America and is an abundant species.


  • The Rhinoceros Snake, or Rhynchophis boulengeri, has a scaly horn which is typically called a nose however its function is unknown. It lives in southeastern Asia in countries like Vietnam and Cambodia in their mountain forests and is carnivorous. This species is abundant in the world and is not threatened.


  • The Radiated Tortoise, scientific name Geochelone radiate, has beautiful starburst patterns on its shell. It is an endangered species because of being harvested for food and because its land and resources are disappearing. It lives in the dry scrub forests and woodlands of southern Madagascar. They are herbivores and feed on wild grasses.




    • Small Mammal House


  • The Fennec Fox, Vulpes zerda, has huge ears to pick up sounds when it hunts at night but is a relatively small mammal. It lives in Northern Africa, Sinai and Arabian peninsulas and is an omnivore eating anything from plants to rodents and lizards. They live in the deserts and not listed as threatened.


  • The Rock Cavy, or Kerodon rupestris, native to eastern Brazil inhabits areas that are dry and rocky such as mountains. The domesticated Guinea Pig is a close relative. They are herbivores and eat seeds, grass, and leaves and are not listed as threatened.


  • Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin, scientific name Leontopithecus chrysomelas, is constantly bred at the National Zoo. They have many individuals of this species on display. However, this is not true about golden-headed lion Tamarins in the wild; they are severely endangered because of illegal capture and habitat loss. They are omnivores and eat fruit, lizards, and insects. These primates live on the eastern coast of Brazil.


  • LaPlata 3-banded Armadillo, or Tolypeutes matacus, inhabits areas of Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. They feed on insects like ants and termites and are related to sloths and anteaters. This armadillo lives in grassy areas, forests, and marshes and do not have a threatened status.


  • Prehensile-tailed Porcupine, the Coendou prehensilis, has a tail which is adapted to grasping and wrapping around branches so they can hang. They live in forested areas of Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. These small mammals are vegetarians, eating shoots, leaves, and flowers. They are not listed as a threatened species.




    • For my one additional animal from any exhibit I chose the Sumatran Tigers: the mom Soyono and cubs Melati, Maharani, and Guntur. These beautiful cats have always been a favorite of mine, and hopefully I can work with tigers in the future. All subset species of tigers are endangered, and the ones on exhibit at the Zoo happen to be from the island of Sumatra. Tigers live in all areas of Asia, from the islands of Indonesia, to India, China, and Eastern Russia. They are strictly carnivores, eating large animals like deer, wild boars, and wild cattle. The National Zoo has worked tirelessly to research ways to preserve tigers from extinction. Their scientific name is the Panthera tigris. I managed to get a good picture of the father tiger, Rokan, pacing his terrority as a sign of ownership and dominance.





    Conservation Efforts Conducted by the National Zoo

    Seeing as though we Maryland students are the Terrapins, I decided to do my conservation research on another species of turtle, the critically endangered sea or marine turtle. The National Zoo has made a large effort to research the lives of the sea turtles, so they can further help save and protect these “ambassadors of the sea”. Along with other major corporations around the world, the Smithsonian Institute has been working on a massive turtle tracking satellite system. This system, called ARGOS, will be facilitated through transmitters attached to the backs of sea turtles and then tracked and monitored. The sea turtles movements and global distribution can then be recorded and analyzed. Through this program, information about this species’ marine life and its interaction and dependence on its environment will be developed. Sea Turtles are an enormously important species to our world’s oceans, and must be protected. Through the National Zoo’s efforts this turtle may still have a fighting chance for its future survival. For more information on conservation and research, visit this website. Saving the Ambassadors of the Sea

    And that is my report on just a few of the many interesting species at the National Zoo, I hope that it has introduced my audience to new and exciting species that need our help. To visit my photo gallery of some animals from the zoo, click below. Enjoy!

    Last Update: December 10th, 2006