Brown bears have populations in Alaska, Canada, and Russia but can be found in smaller populations elsewhere. They eat primarily vegetation but will eat salmon and trout and even young moose and deer when available! See the three brown bears at the Minnesota Zoo on Russia’s Grizzly Coast.

Waddle you do at the Zoo? Visit the African penguins of course! African penguins breed in nesting colonies on the southwest coast of Africa, usually producing one or two eggs in a burrow. The penguins mate for life, returning to the same partner and nesting colony year after year.

Cape porcupines are the largest species of porcupine and are found in Africa. To fend off predators like lions, hyenas, and leopards, Cape porcupines will stick their sharp quills up to appear larger. See these rodents on the Tropics Trail and in the Wings and Things! show at the Zoo.

What’s hanging? Sloths at the Minnesota Zoo! On the Tropics Trail, you can see the nocturnal Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths in their dark exhibit. Watch them move slooowly and hang from their strong arms. Sloths survive on little food and a meal can spend up to a month in their stomach!

See the world’s largest lizards right here in Minnesota on the Tropics Trail. Komodo monitors, commonly known as Komodo dragons, are found on three small Indonesian islands where the climate is hot and dry. They prey on boar, water buffalo, and deer and inflict a venomous bite.

Have a specific species in mind? You are welcome to sponsor any of the animals at the Minnesota Zoo (explore them all here). No matter what you choose, you'll support the Zoo! Your sponsorship will include a personalized certificate and a surprise eco-friendly Minnesota Zoo Cubles.