This list includes 19 Zoo animals that start with K, from “Kagu” to “Kori bustard”. These species range from small forest birds to large ground birds and mammals, useful for education and visitor guides.
Zoo animals that start with K are commonly exhibited species whose English common name begins with the letter K. Notable examples include the Kagu, a near-flightless bird from New Caledonia that highlights island conservation.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Region of origin, and Typical adult size (cm).
Common name: The widely used English name for the species so you can quickly recognize animals in exhibits and lists.
Scientific name: The binomial Latin name provides one precise identifier you can use to find species details and conservation status.
Region of origin: The continent or country where the species naturally occurs, helping you understand habitat and geographic context.
Typical adult size (cm): Average adult length or height in centimetres, measured head-to-tail or shoulder-to-ground as indicated in the table.
Zoo animals that start with K
| Common name | Scientific name | Region of origin | Typical adult size (cm) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kakapo | Strigops habroptilus | New Zealand | 58 cm (total length) | A flightless, nocturnal parrot with mossy green plumage; critically endangered and part of intensive island-based conservation programs and captive management. |
| Kaka | Nestor meridionalis | New Zealand | 45 cm (total length) | Forest parrot with rust-brown underparts and noisy calls; kept in aviaries for education and native bird recovery work. |
| Kea | Nestor notabilis | New Zealand | 48 cm (total length) | Large alpine parrot known for curiosity and intelligence; common in zoo aviaries and conservation exhibits. |
| Kagu | Rhynochetos jubatus | New Caledonia | 55 cm (height) | Pale grey, crested ground bird with distinctive nasal corns; rare and housed in select zoos for conservation and education. |
| Keel-billed toucan | Ramphastos sulfuratus | Central & South America | 50 cm (total length) | Iconic fruit-eating bird with a colorful bill; popular in tropical aviaries and rainforest displays. |
| King penguin | Aptenodytes patagonicus | Subantarctic islands (Southern Ocean) | 95 cm (height) | Tall, sleek penguin with striking orange throat patches; frequently featured in cold-climate or mixed penguin exhibits. |
| Kemp’s ridley sea turtle | Lepidochelys kempii | Western North Atlantic; Gulf of Mexico | 70 cm (carapace length) | Smallest sea turtle species; central to captive breeding and sea turtle rescue programs for an endangered species. |
| King vulture | Sarcoramphus papa | Neotropics (Central & South America) | 76 cm (total length) | Large, white-and-black vulture with colorful head; used in raptor and scavenger education exhibits. |
| King cobra | Ophiophagus hannah | South & Southeast Asia | 400 cm (total length) | World’s longest venomous snake, distinct hood and defensive display; held in herpetological collections for education and research. |
| Komodo dragon | Varanus komodoensis | Indonesia (Komodo region) | 300 cm (total length) | Massive monitor lizard with powerful build and venomous bite; flagship reptile in many major zoos. |
| Koala | Phascolarctos cinereus | Australia (eastern & southeastern) | 75 cm (total length) | Arboreal marsupial with a stout body and thick grey fur; a popular, conservation-focused species in Australian and global zoos. |
| Kinkajou | Potos flavus | Central & South America | 50 cm (body length) | Nocturnal, arboreal mammal with prehensile tail and big eyes; seen in rainforest exhibits and nocturnal houses. |
| Klipspringer | Oreotragus oreotragus | Sub-Saharan Africa | 60 cm (shoulder height) | Tiny, sure-footed antelope adapted to rocky terrain; kept in African ungulate collections and conservation programs. |
| Kori bustard | Ardeotis kori | Africa (southern & eastern) | 120 cm (total length) | One of the heaviest flying birds, earthy-plumaged and ground-dwelling; showcased in large aviaries and bird conservation displays. |
| Kit fox | Vulpes macrotis | North America (southwest USA, Mexico) | 50 cm (body length) | Small desert fox with large ears; occasionally shown in North American mammal exhibits and education programs. |
| Killer whale | Orcinus orca | Cosmopolitan (world oceans) | 600 cm (total length) | Apex marine predator with black-and-white pattern; historically held in marine parks and central to marine mammal education and debate. |
| King brown snake | Pseudechis australis | Australia | 250 cm (total length) | Large, robust elapid often called mulga snake; displayed in herpetariums for venomous snake interpretation. |
| Knobbed hornbill | Rhyticeros cassidix | Sulawesi & nearby islands (Indonesia) | 100 cm (total length) | Striking large hornbill with casque and bright facial skin; seen in tropical aviaries and conservation exhibits. |
| Knight anole | Anolis equestris | Cuba & Bahamas | 45 cm (total length) | Large green anole with crest used in reptile houses; popular for its vivid color and display behavior. |