





Zoos
Small Mammal House
📍 95 Olmsted Walk, Washington, DC 20008🌐 nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/exhibits/small-mammal-house
🕐 Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–6 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–6 PM |
About Small Mammal House
Habitats recreated for little animals. Native landscapes housing mammals like anteaters, tamarins & sand cats, plus up-close encounters. Features specialized nocturnal mammal displays, allowing visitors to observe animals like fennec foxes and sand cats during their active periods. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 245 visitors.
Quick Facts
💡 Did You Know?
- Features specialized nocturnal mammal displays, allowing visitors to observe animals like fennec foxes and sand cats during their active periods
- Offers close-up encounters with small mammals including anteaters, tamarins, and sand cats in recreated native landscape habitats
- Provides free admission according to visitor reviews
- Achieves a 4.8-star rating from 245 reviews, indicating consistently high visitor satisfaction
💬 What Visitors Say
- Arrive about an hour after the zoo opens, as the Small Mammal House frequently has delayed opening times compared to the rest of the zoo. This timing hack helps you avoid the initial rush and ensures the exhibit is actually open.
- Visit on weekday mornings to minimize crowds and get better viewing access to the animals. Reviews note that crowding makes it difficult to see some animals, particularly when they're hiding or less active.
- Many small mammals are nocturnal and may be sleeping or hiding in back areas during daytime hours. Plan your visit with realistic expectations about animal activity levels, and consider asking staff about the most active viewing times for specific species like the fennec fox and sand cat.
- Admission is free, making this an excellent budget-friendly educational stop within the zoo. Take advantage of the no-cost entry to explore the diverse small mammals collection without additional expense.
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