Zoo Life

The Obscure Obscurus

Do you ever lie awake at night pondering the fate of Crotalus willardi obscurus? If so, you have something in common with Byron Wusstig, acting curator of ectotherms at the Los Angeles Zoo. Of course, most readers will never have heard of this little-known reptile, but Wusstig and his colleagues are hoping to change that.

The Obscure Obscurus Read more

A rattlesnake with its body coiled and partly covered in dirt

Zoo Update with Zoo Director and CEO Denise M. Verret

As we welcome the month of October, I’m reminded of the beauty of autumn—the season of change, transition, and reflection. Just as the season turns and offers relief from the summer heat, we at the Los Angeles Zoo are experiencing some exciting changes as well. The end of summer brings with it a sense of excitement and anticipation, as our young visitors and paid interns return to school, bringing their stories from summer camps and

Zoo Update with Zoo Director and CEO Denise M. Verret Read more

closeup of a crab with red forelegs, brown and red body, and bright yellow eyes

Just Browsing

Did you know plants in the Zoo, around Griffith Park, and throughout many cities in Los Angeles County help feed your favorite animals at the Zoo? Cut branches with leaves, soft shoots, flowers, and fruit called are “browse” and are among the fresh food enjoyed by many species who call the Zoo home. Cutting, transporting, and managing browse is part of animal keepers’ jobs, and each animal in their care has special requirements and favorite browse.

Just Browsing Read more

Juvenile rhino Marshall chomps on a thin leafy branch.

Behind the Scenes with Keepers

The week of July 17 is National Zoo Keeper Week, and to celebrate the frontline stars of our Animal Care staff, we want to share some inside looks at what keepers do at the Zoo! Aside from wearing cool outfits and sharing their first-hand knowledge with guests, keepers do dozens of things that affect the day-to-day lives of animals.

Behind the Scenes with Keepers Read more

a young man stands next to a California condor as the bird spreads its wings over a boulder.