Here you’ll find 22 Zoo animals that start with J, organized from “Jabiru” to “Jungle myna.” They include birds, mammals, and reptiles commonly exhibited for education, conservation, and public viewing. Many are chosen for clear identification or conservation stories that support zoo programs.
Zoo animals that start with J are species kept in zoos whose common English names begin with the letter J. For example, the Jabiru often appears in exhibits to teach about river and wetland ecosystems.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Region of origin, and Typical adult size (cm).
Common name: The everyday name you recognize, which helps you spot animals on zoo signs and guides.
Scientific name: The binomial Latin name that links to species records and conservation data, useful when you research further.
Region of origin: The native continent or country, helping you understand habitat, climate needs, and educational context.
Typical adult size (cm): Average adult length or height in centimeters, clarifying if measurements refer to total length or shoulder height.
Zoo animals that start with J
| Common name | Scientific name | Region of origin | Typical adult size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar | Panthera onca | South America — Brazil, Peru, Argentina | 180 cm (total length) |
| Jaguarundi | Herpailurus yagouaroundi | Central & South America — Mexico to Argentina | 70 cm (total length) |
| Japanese macaque | Macaca fuscata | Asia — Japan | 60 cm (body length) |
| Japanese giant salamander | Andrias japonicus | Asia — Japan | 100 cm (total length) |
| Japanese crane | Grus japonensis | Asia — Japan, Russia, China | 150 cm (height) |
| Japanese serow | Capricornis crispus | Asia — Japan | 80 cm (shoulder height) |
| Japanese pond turtle | Mauremys japonica | Asia — Japan | 20 cm (carapace length) |
| Jamaican fruit bat | Artibeus jamaicensis | Central & South America — Caribbean to Brazil | 60 cm (wingspan) |
| Jamaican iguana | Cyclura collei | Caribbean — Jamaica | 90 cm (total length) |
| Jabiru | Jabiru mycteria | Central & South America — Mexico to Argentina | 140 cm (height) |
| Jackdaw | Coloeus monedula | Europe/Asia — Europe to Central Asia | 34 cm (length) |
| Jacky dragon | Amphibolurus muricatus | Australia — Eastern Australia | 35 cm (total length) |
| Javan gibbon | Hylobates moloch | Asia — Java, Indonesia | 55 cm (body length) |
| Javan slow loris | Nycticebus javanicus | Asia — Java, Indonesia | 25 cm (body length) |
| Javan lutung | Trachypithecus auratus | Asia — Java, Indonesia | 50 cm (body length) |
| Javan rusa | Rusa timorensis | Asia — Java, Indonesia | 160 cm (total length) |
| Javan green magpie | Cissa thalassina | Asia — Java, Indonesia | 28 cm (length) |
| Java sparrow | Lonchura oryzivora | Asia — Java, Bali, Indonesia | 15 cm (length) |
| Javan hawk-eagle | Nisaetus bartelsi | Asia — Java, Indonesia | 140 cm (wingspan) |
| Javelina | Pecari tajacu | North America — Mexico, US Southwest to Central America | 90 cm (head-body length) |
| Jungle cat | Felis chaus | Asia & Africa — South Asia to Middle East | 70 cm (body length) |
| Jungle myna | Acridotheres fuscus | Asia — Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia | 21 cm (length) |
Descriptions
Jaguar
Big spotted cat and powerful swimmer, top Neotropical predator; common in zoo felid exhibits and conservation programs.
Jaguarundi
Small, elongated wild cat with variable coat colors, often kept in small-cat collections and used in education about Neotropical carnivores.
Japanese macaque
Also called the snow monkey, famous for hot-spring behavior; social troops make engaging primate exhibits and teach about behavior and ecology.
Japanese giant salamander
One of the largest amphibians, fully aquatic and showcased in aquaria and zoos to highlight freshwater conservation and river health.
Japanese crane
Iconic tall crane with striking plumage, frequently displayed in bird collections and part of captive-breeding conservation efforts.
Japanese serow
Goat-antelope native to Japanese mountains, commonly shown in regional zoos to illustrate endemic mammals and mountain ecology.
Japanese pond turtle
Freshwater turtle kept in herpetology collections and exhibit ponds, useful for education about freshwater habitats and local biodiversity.
Jamaican fruit bat
Common fruit bat seen in bat houses and nocturnal exhibits, important pollinator and seed disperser explained in educational programs.
Jamaican iguana
Critically endangered rock iguana with active captive-breeding and conservation programs housed in zoos and sanctuaries for species recovery.
Jabiru
Large stork with a massive bill, popular in wetland exhibits and used to illustrate Neotropical wetland ecology and conservation.
Jackdaw
Small, social corvid often kept in aviaries for behavioral displays and talks about intelligence and social bird ecology.
Jacky dragon
Active, colourful agamid lizard commonly shown in Australian reptile displays to demonstrate basking behavior and agility.
Javan gibbon
Small ape known for loud duets and brachiation; kept in primate exhibits and conservation breeding programs.
Javan slow loris
Nocturnal primate with distinctive big eyes and slow movements, usually in nocturnal houses and rescue-centered exhibits.
Javan lutung
Leaf-eating monkey with bright juvenile coloration, featured in primate collections and important for island conservation stories.
Javan rusa
Medium-sized deer often displayed in hoofstock collections and park exhibits, native to Indonesia and introduced elsewhere.
Javan green magpie
Striking green passerine under captive-breeding programs in zoos because of dramatic population declines in the wild.
Java sparrow
Popular seed-eating finch frequently seen in aviaries and educational displays; both wild and captive-bred populations are familiar to zoos.
Javan hawk-eagle
Endemic eagle and conservation flagship for Java, held in Indonesian breeding programs and occasionally exhibited in regional zoos.
Javelina
Also called collared peccary, commonly shown in petting-area or hoofstock exhibits; social and adaptable, illustrating desert-adapted mammals.
Jungle cat
Slim, medium-sized wild cat of wetlands and grasslands, kept in small-cat exhibits and educational programs about small predators.
Jungle myna
Active, adaptable passerine often kept in aviaries, useful for demonstrating urban-adapted bird behaviour and social flocking.