New photos show spooky X-rays of animals at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Monday, October 27, 2025
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Brookfield Zoo Chicago revealed some animal X-rays days ahead of Halloween.



The zoo's veterinary team uses scans to monitor animal health.

In the spooky spirit for Halloween, the zoo shared skeletal snapshots of some of the zoo's wildest residents.

Puerto Rican crested toad



Native only to Puerto Rico, the zoo says the Puerto Rican crested toad is a rare amphibian. Adding that the head has a distinctive bony "crest" above the eyes.

X-ray released by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago shows a Puerto Rican crested toad.



X-ray released by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago shows a Puerto Rican crested toad.



Tamandua



The zoo said instead of teeth, the tamandua anteaters use long, sticky tongues coated in thick saliva to catch insects.

X-ray released by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago shows a tamandua.



Toco toucan



Famous for its oversized bills, the toco toucan's beak can reach up to eight inches, about one-third of its body length, according to Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

X-ray released by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago shows a toco toucan.



Gibbon



Gibbon apes are acrobats of the canopy, swinging from branch to branch with arms that can stretch up to 5 feet, the zoo said.

X-ray released by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago shows a gibbon.



Asian small-clawed otter



The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest otter species in the world, the zoo said. It weighs just 4 to 11 pounds and is about 16 to 24 inches long.

X-ray released by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago shows an Asian small-clawed otter.



Leopard tortoise



The leopard tortoise is the fourth-largest species. The zoo said its tall shell has steep sides, giving it a dome look.

X-ray released by the Brookfield Zoo Chicago shows a Leopard tortoise.



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