Washington DC Zoo

May 5, 2024


Dwarf Mongooses having fun on a wheel!
What information is listed for each species?:

Small Mammal House- range, habitat, diet

Reptile Discovery Center- habitat, range

List 4 species on display:

Small Mammal House- Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin, Prevost’s Squirrel, La Plata Three Banded Armadillo, Fennec Fox

Reptile Discovery Center- Komodo Dragon, Emerald Tree Monitor, Snouted Cobra, Timor Python

What types of displays go beyond simple identifying text on a panel are available? Did you find them informative?:

Small Mammal House- For many species found in the hall, there were x-rays showing certain special adaptations found in the species to show how they survive in their environments, which I found very informative.

Reptile Discovery Center- There was a clear 2D model of a human body compared to a reptile body to display the similarities and differences between them, which I found not only informative but also very interesting to see how similar we are to other animals.

What level of education is the hall aimed for?: Both halls seemed to be aimed for somewhere around an elementary/middle school level of education, the information is fairly basic and presented in simple sentences.

Find and describe 2 specific examples of ways the zoo aids in public education/understanding of animals OTHER than simple plaques: The zoo seems to have frequent visitors from government agencies such as USGC, who do fun activities like trivia to increase public knowledge about different animals (like amphibians). They also seem to have interactive exhibits to learn about native species to the Appalachian region and Maryland, while also giving away posters with pictures and names of native species. Both of these increase public knowledge about species found in the zoo and beyond.

Find 2 specific examples where either the physical setting or objects in their environment have been added to provide a more interesting or comfortable place for the animals: In the Small Mammal House, the exhibit containing the ferrets had a system of tunnels running throughout, serving as both a dark hiding spot and a place to run and play for the ferrets, who are naturally high in energy and very curious. In the same hall, cat beds were added to the exhibit containing the sand cats which, while not exactly true to their environment, gives them an opportunity to be more comfortable despite the small space.