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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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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American Alligator

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

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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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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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Gray Wolf

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

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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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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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Arizona Mountain Kingsnake

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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Mexican Beaded Lizard

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

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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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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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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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Common Raven

The common raven is the largest member of the corvid family. Although often mistaken for a crow, a raven differs...

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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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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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Roadrunner

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

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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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Coati

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

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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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Chuckwalla

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

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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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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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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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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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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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Black-tailed Prairie Dog

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

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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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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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Desert Tortoise

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

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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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Ringtail

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

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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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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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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 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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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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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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Corn Snake

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

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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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Turkey Vulture

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

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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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Gopher Snake

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

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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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