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Male two-toed sloth, Vlad, hangs by all four feet from the top of his exhibit. His head is tilted toward keeper, Ann, who is standing below and to the right of Vlad. Ann has a piece of food in her right hand, which is raised up toward Vlad.

December 03, 2021

Small Enrichment, Big Difference: How to Care for Small Mammals

From smart shrews to clever coatis, every animal in Small Mammal House receives enrichment. Learn how the animal care team puts together puzzle feeders, sprinkles spices and comes up with creative elements that ensure animals keep physically active and mentally sharp.

A black-footed ferret looks out a hole of its kennel during transportation. The front of the kennel has silver bars going vertically and horizontally, and is covered in a thick plastic with circular holes.

November 03, 2021

A Fond, Ferret Farewell

Earlier this month, our black-footed ferrets slated for breeding centers and wild release departed Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute. This included Black-footed Ferret Webcam stars Potpie and her three kits. Read on to find out where Aster, Aspen and Swifty ended up!

Animal keeper, Vicki Lake, sits on her knees inside a black-footed ferret enclosure. There is a blue storage bin on the left with a black-footed ferret poking it's head out of a make-shift hole, and a green bin on the right with another ferret looking out

September 03, 2021

How to Care for Black-footed Ferrets

September 26 marks 40 years since black-footed ferrets were re-discovered in the wild, kick-starting today’s breeding and reintroduction program. Find out what it takes to care for Zoo Guardians' September Animal of the Month and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s black-footed ferrets from...

A three-month-old, male black-footed ferret kit sticks his head, neck and front two paws out of a grey storage bin that acts as a den for the ferrets

August 25, 2021

New Destinations Ahead for the Ferrets

Each August, the Black-footed Ferret Species Survival Plan assesses the entire black-footed ferret population in human care and determines where the ferrets should go next: to the wild or a breeding center! Read on to get Aspen, Swifty and Aster's full three month update and find out which path the...

A keeper wearing a blue apron and blue, latex gloves holds three black-footed ferret kits in their hands. You cannot see the keepers' face. The kits eyes are not fully open yet, one has one eye open.

July 27, 2021

Black-Footed Ferret Kits Receive Names at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

After over 6,700 votes cast, the three black-footed ferret kits at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia have received their names.

A black-footed ferret kit looks out an opening of it's plastic, pet carrier.

July 27, 2021

The Ferret Kits Receive Their Names

The black-footed ferret kits' receive their names, their two-month exams and some fun enrichment! Get the full ferret family scoop from Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute biologist Adrienne Crosier.

a black-footed ferret kit sits curled up in the gloved hand of a keeper

July 20, 2021

Public Invited To Name Black-Footed Ferret Kits at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute invites the public to help name three black-footed ferret kits—one female and two males—born May 19 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. Voting for the names starts Tuesday, July 20, at 10...

Potpie's female black-footed ferret kit stands in a small clear, plastic bin placed on a silver scale. The scale reads the kits weight, 3140 grams.

July 13, 2021

Play, Hunt, Sleep, Repeat: A New View on the Ferret Kits

Potpie's three kits are more active and playful! Catch them running through their full enclosure outside the den on a brand-new webcam and keep an eye out for their progress on learning to hunt.

Potpie's three kits sleep together in a pile in their den. The photo is taken from a bird's eye view.

June 21, 2021

Ferret Kits Look ‘Fur’-tastic at One Month Old

Potpie's three kits turned 1 month old on Saturday, June 19. This birthday is marked by their darkening fur, including the distinctive dark-furred feet and mask! Read on for the full update on our black-footed ferret kits.