Meet Our Animals

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.

Classification

Region

Sort By

Showing 6 of 46 animals matching that search.

Common Vampire Bat

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

View Common Vampire Bat Details

American Marten

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

View American Marten Details

Gray Wolf

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

View Gray Wolf Details

American Alligator

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

View American Alligator Details

Ocelot

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

View Ocelot Details

Black Bear

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

View Black Bear Details

Mountain Lion

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

View Mountain Lion Details

River Otter

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

View River Otter Details

Mexican Beaded Lizard

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

View Mexican Beaded Lizard Details

Canada Lynx

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

View Canada Lynx Details

White-tailed Deer

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

View White-tailed Deer Details

Alligator Snapping Turtle

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

View Alligator Snapping Turtle Details

Coati

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

View Coati Details

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake

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

View Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake Details

Gila Monster

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

View Gila Monster Details

Bobcat

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

View Bobcat Details

Bald Eagle

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

View Bald Eagle Details

Snowy Owl

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

View Snowy Owl Details

Thick-billed Parrot

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

View Thick-billed Parrot Details

Porcupine

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

View Porcupine Details

Florida Gar

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

View Florida Gar Details

Roadrunner

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

View Roadrunner Details

Pronghorn

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

View Pronghorn Details

Peregrine Falcon

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

View Peregrine Falcon Details

Ringtail

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

View Ringtail Details

Barn Owl

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

View Barn Owl Details

Chuckwalla

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

View Chuckwalla Details

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

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

View Black-tailed Prairie Dog Details

American Elk

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

View American Elk Details

Roseate Spoonbill

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

View Roseate Spoonbill Details

Gambel's Quail

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

View Gambel's Quail Details

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

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

View Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Details

Nine-banded Armadillo

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

View Nine-banded Armadillo Details

Cottonmouth

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

View Cottonmouth Details

Sidewinder Rattlesnake

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

View Sidewinder Rattlesnake Details

Turkey Vulture

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

View Turkey Vulture Details

Red-tailed Hawk

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

View Red-tailed Hawk Details

Eastern Wild Turkey

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

View Eastern Wild Turkey Details

Burrowing Owl

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

View Burrowing Owl Details

Blue Spiny Lizard

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

View Blue Spiny Lizard Details

Rosy Boa

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

View Rosy Boa Details

Desert Tortoise

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

View Desert Tortoise Details

Gopher Snake

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

View Gopher Snake Details

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...

View Desert Box Turtle Details

Gopher Tortoise

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

View Gopher Tortoise Details

Barred Owl

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

View Barred Owl Details