Animals Know How To Enjoy #Blizzard2016

At the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC, giant panda, Tian Tian, “woke up this morning to a lot of snow and he was pretty excited about it.” The zoo shared that news along with a few other priceless videos on its Facebook page this morning.

http://tinyurl.com/hvdos4x

Smithsonian National Zoo's Cheetah Cubs Named For Olympic Sprinters

The results are in! The Smithsonian National Zoo's two cheetah cubs have been named for the fastest male and female American sprinters from the 100-meter race in the London 2012 Olympics this past weekend. The 3-month-old cubs will be named Carmelita and Justin after Carmelita Jeter and Justin Gatlin. On Saturday, Aug. 4, Jeter ran the 100-meter sprint in 10.78 seconds, winning her the silver medal. Gatlin ran the men's 100-meter on Sunday in 10.64 seconds, taking the bronze medal.

http://tinyurl.com/bodbj3w

Video: Watch Shanti, An Elephant, Play A Harmonica

A musically inclined elephant named Shanthi not only plays a harmonica, but composes her own tunes on it as well, according to keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. The 36-year-old Asian elephant plays of her own free will (except when she gets a request) and even has her own signature style. Each of her tunes ends with a dramatic crescendo that keepers wait for, knowing she's reached the end. Listeners then applaud, which Shanthi seems to enjoy since she comes back for more.

http://tinyurl.com/7cxr37e