Wild Inside The National Zoo

For hungry Asian small-clawed otters at Smithsonian's National Zoo, variety is the spice of life. A caretaker explains what items are on a typical menu. #ZooQs

Baby porcupines are born with soft, fuzzy quills and rusty red fur. Perhaps even more adorable is what they're technically called. A caretaker at the Smithsonian's National Zoo fills us in. #ZooQs

Lemurs spend a lot of time in trees, so they've gotten pretty good at climbing them. A caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo walks us through their physical adaptations that make this incredible skill possible. #ZooQs

Komodo dragons are considered the largest land reptiles on Earth. A caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo shows us just how enormous they can be. #ZooQs

Did you know tortoise shells are made up of a hard substance that we have on our own bodies? A caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo explains. #ZooQs

Taking care of four giant pandas at once definitely is challenging, but rewarding, work. Join caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo as they walk through a fast-paced day in the lives of Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, Bao Bao, and Bei Bei.

Spots are the most distinct physical features of cheetahs. Here, a caretaker from Smithsonian's National Zoo fill us in on when they start appearing in these big cats and how they're used to identify them. #ZooQs

Tear lines are dark markings that appear below cheetahs' eyes. But why are they so prominent? A caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo let's us know the answer--and it's fascinating. #ZooQs

Andean bears spend much of their lives in trees. But what makes them such skilled climbers? A caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo explains. #ZooQs

Andean bears have a distinct feature on their faces that makes them easy to identify. Here, a caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo tells us what it is. #ZooQs

Incredibly, there are over 150,000 muscle units and tendons in an elephant's trunk. But what do these animals use one of their most distinctive physical features for? Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo fill us in. #ZooQs

Elephants don't have a thick coat of fur to shield them from the sun's rays. So how do they protect their skin? Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo show us their unusual skin care regimen. #ZooQs

Pop culture tells us that elephants love peanuts. But is that really true? Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo give us a look at their daily diets. #ZooQs

Seals and sea lions spend a good chunk of their time underwater. Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo fill us in on how their eyes adapt to sea life. #ZooQs

If you're near a sea lion, chances are you'll hear its distinctive bark before you see it. Here, caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo explain why they make these sounds and what they're trying to say.

If you were asked to tell the difference between these similar sea mammals, could you? Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo show us how. #ZooQs

Even though porcupines rarely quill on purpose, working with them requires patience. Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo tell us how they handle their spiky friends. #ZooQs

These spiky creatures are named for their peculiar tails. The caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo tell us why. #ZooQs

A porcupine's prickly coat of quills is its first line of defense. But what can these small mammals really do with their home-grown needles. A caretaker at the National Zoo clarifies. #ZooQs

The most noticeable feature of a tortoise is its massive shell. But what happens if you touch it? Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo fill us in.

Consummate herbivores, tortoises have a healthy and hearty diet at Smithsonian's National Zoo. Here, caretakers walk us through what goes into their special salad mix.

Compared to hulking thoroughbreds, the Przewalski's horse seems small. Caretaker's at Smithsonian's National Zoo explain why. #ZooQs

While other animals seek refuge from the cold, Przewalski's horses relish winter. Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo tell us why. #ZooQs

This Mongolian horse's name is a mouthful. Caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo share the story behind it. #ZooQs

Red pandas have some of bushiest tails around. Zookeepers at Smithsonian's National Zoo tell us why. #ZooQs

Red pandas are agile, skilled climbers? We ask zookeepers at Smithsonian's National Zoo why they're so at home in trees. #ZooQs

It should come as no surprise that red panda cubs Henry and Tink love to play. Zookeepers at Smithsonian's National Zoo show us how. #ZooQs

Flamingos must tire of constantly perching on one leg. Or do they? We ask a caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo. #ZooQs

Ever wonder why only male peacocks have such extravagant plumage? We ask a caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo to explain. #ZooQs

Perhaps the most distinctive quality of flamingos are their rosy color. We ask a caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo to explain what causes it. #ZooQs

Taking care of a baby panda isn't all fun and games. See how Bao Bao gets trained. #ZooQs

It seems like pandas spend most of their waking lives chomping on bamboo. But how much of it can they really eat? The caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo have the answer. #ZooQs

It's true--lion cubs are just as playful as they seem. We asked a caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo about their favorite toys. #ZooQs

Lion start vocalizing as soon as they're born. But when and why do they start to roar? We ask caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo. #ZooQs

Male lions aren't born with that glorious, full wreath of fur. So we asked a caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo when their manes start coming in. #ZooQs

Adult pandas don't spend much time in trees, but panda cubs do. We ask the caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo why. #ZooQs

The "panda cam" can't tell you what a panda bear's fur feels like. So we ask the caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo. #ZooQs

A panda bear's defining features are not present at birth. We ask the caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo when a panda's eye patches start to appear. #ZooQs

Panda cubs, like many other baby animals, love to play. We ask caretakers at Smithsonian's National Zoo to show us how. #ZooQs