The 35th Annual International Herpetological Symposium kicked off in a big way, with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Smithsonian National Zoo!

Let me just warn those of you who have never ever been here, but plan to come one day: Traffic sucks. It took two hours to drive a mere 30 miles. Quite traumatizing. The zoo is huge, roads leading in and out and parking lots located at specific exhibits. For even the short time we were there, it was quite impressive!

When we finally arrived, we split up in several groups. Our guide took us first to the Japanese Giant Salamander (which was one of the two things I wanted to see here). We saw the Hellbender research lab and learned a bit about their conservation work.

When asked what else we wanted to see, Kim Foose chimed in with crocs. Off we went to see the Cubans and the Phillipine crocs and then joy of joys, we saw 3-week-old hatchling Cubans! OMG they are the cutest little babies in the world! Our last stop on the whirlwind tour was the Komodo, so very adorable and still one of my favorite animals to see anywhere.

Our tour was cut short because our car had to get back early for the IHS Ice Breaker prep. You can find my shots here, and watch for the Hellbender video coming shortly! There are a few photos posted after the bump.