Meet Our Animals

The more than 200 animals that call ZooAmerica^® home are native to five regions of the North American continent – from the dry deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico to the expansive forests and tundra of Alaska and Canada. Learn more about these regions and the amazing diversity of North American wildlife and vegetation native to them below.

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Showing 6 of 57 animals matching that search.

Gray Wolf

Gray wolves are social animals, living together in tightly organized packs. Packs are typically family groups, and...

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American Marten

American martens are small and agile members of the weasel family. With their sharp and semi-retractable claws,...

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Black Bear

Of the three bear species that inhabit North America, the American black bear is the only one found exclusively on...

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American Alligator

American alligators are important members of their ecosystem, and are regarded as keystone species. Many animals...

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Mountain Lion

Also known as a cougar, puma, panther, catamount, painter or mountain lion, this cat is recognized by its large...

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Bald Eagle

With its white head and tail, chocolate brown body, large yellow beak, and seven-foot wingspan, an adult bald...

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Bobcat

Strictly a carnivore, the bobcat hunts for small animals during the twilight and nighttime hours. Excellent...

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River Otter

With a streamlined body, webbed feet, and a long rudderlike tail, the agile otter is built for swimming and can...

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Ocelot

Twice the size of an average house cat, the ocelot is a sleek animal with a gorgeous dappled coat. Shy and...

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Alligator Snapping Turtle

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. Primitive in appearance, it can...

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American Elk

Elk are among the most vocal members of the deer family. Cows bark alarm signals, calves bleat and squeal, and...

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Black-footed Ferrets

What happened to endanger the Black-footed Ferret? Black-footed ferrets are one of the most endangered mammals in...

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Arizona Mountain Kingsnake

The Arizona Mountain Kingsnake is usually found in the higher elevations of the mountains. This snake inhabits...

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Canada Lynx

A Canada lynx is a medium-sized cat that is well adapted for life in the northern forests. Compared to the more...

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Pronghorn

Built for speed, the pronghorn is the fastest land animal in North America and is second only to the cheetah...

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Desert Kingsnake

A desert kingsnake is a nonvenomous snake that can grow to 48 inches in length. The kingsnake is immune to the...

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Corn Snake

Corn snakes are excellent climbers and are often found high in trees searching for nesting birds. Their common...

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Coati

Another raccoon relative, coatis are not truly adapted to desert life. Coatis can survive only by staying close to...

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Snowy Owl

The heaviest of all North American owls, snowy owls are well adapted for life on the Arctic tundra. Very thick...

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Florida Gar

The Florida gar is a long slender predatory fish with sharp teeth and an armor of hard diamond-shaped scales....

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Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Although named for their barking alarm call, black-tailed prairie dogs are actually burrowing ground squirrels....

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Barred Owl

A barred owl is the second largest owl in Pennsylvania, surpassed only by the great horned owl in size. It is...

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Porcupine

Best known for its unique and effective method of defense, the porcupine is a slow-moving, nocturnal rodent. They...

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Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

This is the largest of the western rattlesnakes. Due to its distinctive black and white tail bands, it is often...

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Ringtail

Ringtails are relatives of the raccoon and inhabit desert canyons, especially areas with rocky outcrops, caves and...

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Spotted Skunk

When threatened, a spotted skunk first stomps its front feet, hisses, and performs a series of handstands. If the...

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Eastern Wild Turkey

Benjamin Franklin considered our native wild turkey such a noble bird that he proposed it as the symbol of our new...

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Roadrunner

Roadrunners are long, slender birds with long expressive tails, shaggy crests and strong legs for running. These...

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Turkey Vulture

Lacking the strong grasping talons needed for killing live prey, turkey vultures eat carrion, the flesh of dead...

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Eastern Screech Owl

The call of this small owl is not truly a screech, but actually a long, quavering trill. Although only eight...

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Common Vampire Bat

This nocturnal, flying mammal feeds exclusively on the blood of other animals. To eat the blood, the vampire bat...

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White-tailed Deer

During the past century, logging and farming caused drastic changes in the forests. This created ideal habitat for...

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Barn Owl

Identified by its heart-shaped facial disk, white underparts, and long legs, the barn owl roosts and nests on...

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Cottonmouth

This venomous snake is named for the white lining of its mouth which flashes open in a defensive display when...

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Roseate Spoonbill

From a distance, a spoonbill might be confused with a flamingo due to its pink color. Upon closer inspection, the...

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Great Horned Owl

Using powerful feet and long sharp talons, a great horned owl preys upon a wide variety of animals. This hunter...

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Gila Monster

Of the 3,000 lizard species in the world, only the gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard are venomous, and...

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Blue Spiny Lizard

The scales of this lizard are pointy and keeled, giving the lizard its common name. These lizards change color...

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Burrowing Owl

Unlike most owls, burrowing owls are active during the day. As their name implies, these small owls nest in...

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Nine-banded Armadillo

The bony armor-like plates covering a nine-banded armadillo are one of its most unique adaptations. The smooth...

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Gopher Snake

Gopher snakes are long snakes, and can approach eight feet in length. These nonvenomous snakes are an important...

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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America and may reach 8 feet in length....

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Sidewinder Rattlesnake

The venomous sidewinder is nicknamed the horned rattler for the upturned scales over each eye. These hornlike...

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Peregrine Falcon

With long, pointed wings, powerful flight muscles, and rapid wing beats, a peregrine falcon is a swift and agile...

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Gambel's Quail

Gambel's quail are ground dwellers, but have an advantage over other inhabitants of the desert floor, for they can...

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Thick-billed Parrot

Thick-billed parrots are social birds, and live together in flocks all year. Their loud calls can be heard over a...

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Red-tailed Hawk

Preferring to hunt the open lands, this diurnal bird of prey will soar over fields or perch patiently on nearby...

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Mexican Beaded Lizard

The horrible one! These lizards are venomous! When threatened, beaded lizards hiss and open their mouths, giving...

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Black-billed Magpie

Streaming, iridescent tails and flashing white wing patches identify black-billed magpies in flight. On the...

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Long-eared Owl

Rodents beware! The conspicuous ear tufts of the long-eared owl are not for hearing, but help it blend in with...

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Desert Box Turtle

In the cool of the morning, a desert box turtle basks in the sun and begins looking for food. Although it eats...

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Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake

Like most pit vipers, a pygmy rattlesnake uses the sit and wait method of hunting. This snake has been observed in...

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Sandhill Crane

A ten million year old sandhill crane fossil was found in Nebraska. This discovery makes them the oldest known...

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Gopher Tortoise

A gopher tortoise uses its powerful front legs to dig burrows that average about 15 feet long and 6 feet deep....

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Desert Tortoise

A slow-moving reptile, the desert tortoise copes with desert heat by becoming active only during the cooler...

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Chuckwalla

Rocks provide a means of defense for the chuckwalla. When threatened, this flat-bodied lizard scurries into a...

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Rosy Boa

The rosy boa is one of the smallest members of the boa family, and rarely exceeds three feet in length. Like all...

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