Even though almost all zoos are closed to the public, you can still get your daily dose of cute. Many zoos have live animal cams that let you keep an eye on your favorite animals’ every move. Some animal preserves also maintain webcams.
In addition, during this time, some zoos and aquariums are offering scheduled live streams, where you can meet specific animals, and learn about them from the people who care for them. In many cases, those live streams (often on Facebook Live) are available to watch later too.
Warning for those working at home: this may significantly affect your productivity. We can’t be held responsible.
By the way, there are many cuter and more exotic animals to watch, but please join me in obsession with the naked mole-rat at the National Zoo.
Note: the photos below are of the kind of animals you might see on the webcams, but not the specific animals.
Explore
Visit explore.org for a variety of live cams you can choose from. Kitten Cabana in Tampa, Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa, Wolong Grove Panda Yard in Sichuan, China, Tropical Reef Aquarium in Long Beach, California, and much, much more.
EarthCam
EarthCam features a huge number of animal cams from all over the world.
Wolf Cams
Check in on wolves at International Wolf Center, an organization in Minnesota that advances the survival of wolf populations.
National Zoo
The National Zoo in Washington DC has webcams on several animals, including Giant Pandas, elephants, lions, and the naked mole-rat.
Georgia Aquarium
This Atlanta-based aquarium has separate webcams on tons of animals, including piranhas, beluga whales, African penguins, see otters and more. Watch them all!
National Aquarium
The National Aquarium in Baltimore features Blacktip Reef and Pacific Coral Reef live streams. Their cameras are only live streaming during business hours. After hours, you can enjoy a previously recorded live stream segment.
Tennessee Aquarium
This Chattanooga Aquarium’s online camera feeds let you observe otters romping and diving in the Appalachian Cove Forest, peep in on the penguins rocketing through the waves in Penguins’ Rock and dive into the lively depths of the massive Secret Reef exhibit. Viewers can also download their activity sheets and links to the Aquarium video series.
Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo, in the United Kingdom, has a webcams on their Sulawesi Crested Macaque and meerkats. Did you know that a group of meerkats is called a “mob?”
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Ever hear of jelly zen? Get a sense of calm with the Jelly Cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Aquarium also has other animal live web cams, including sea otters, penguins, sharks, and more. See all Monterey Bay Aquarium’s webcams here.
Cincinnati Zoo
Each week, 7 days a week, starting at 3 p.m., Cincinnati Zoo is going Facebook Live with Home Safari. They’ll introduce you to one of their animals, and include an activity that you can do at home. Go to Cincinnati Zoo’s Facebook page for the Facebook Live event. Find more information on their Facebook event for the streams.
Miami Zoo
At the Miami Zoo, you can watch meerkats who were born at the zoo. You can watch Yam Yam and her two pups and Yam Yam’s brothers Gizmo, Joe and Diego.
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo has multiple webcams that give you a look at pandas, baboons, koalas, giraffes, elephants and many more animals.
