This list includes 14 Zoo animals that start with O, from “Ocean sunfish” to “Ostrich”. These species are often large, charismatic, or useful for public education and conservation programs.
Zoo animals that start with O are species shown in zoos whose common names begin with the letter O. Notable examples include the ostrich, the world’s largest bird, and the ocean sunfish, an unusually heavy bony fish.
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 for each species, helping you find animals quickly in zoo lists.
Scientific name: The binomial Latin name used worldwide, useful for accurate species identification and research.
Region of origin: The native continent or country where the species evolved, giving context about habitat and geography.
Typical adult size (cm): Average adult length or height in centimeters; fish use total length, others use body length.
Zoo animals that start with O
| Common name | Scientific name | Region of origin | Typical adult size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocelot | Leopardus pardalis | Central & South America — Mexico to Argentina | 80 (total length) |
| Okapi | Okapia johnstoni | Central Africa — Democratic Republic of the Congo | 150 (height at shoulder) |
| Ostrich | Struthio camelus | Africa — Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa | 200 (wingspan) |
| Oryx | Oryx gazella | Southern Africa — Namibia, South Africa | 120 (height at shoulder) |
| Orangutan | Pongo pygmaeus | Southeast Asia — Borneo (also Sumatra) | 120 (total length) |
| One-horned rhinoceros | Rhinoceros unicornis | South Asia — India, Nepal | 170 (height at shoulder) |
| Oriental small-clawed otter | Aonyx cinereus | South & Southeast Asia — India to Indonesia | 80 (total length) |
| Octopus (Giant Pacific octopus) | Enteroctopus dofleini | North Pacific — Alaska to Japan | 300 (arm span) |
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | Worldwide — coastal temperate regions | 180 (wingspan) |
| Olm | Proteus anguinus | Europe — Dinaric Alps (Slovenia, Croatia) | 25 (total length) |
| Onager | Equus hemionus | Asia — Iran, Turkmenistan, Central Asia | 130 (height at shoulder) |
| Olingo | Bassaricyon gabbii | Central America — Costa Rica, Panama | 60 (total length) |
| Ocean sunfish | Mola mola | Worldwide — temperate & tropical oceans | 300 (total length) |
| Orange-bellied parrot | Neophema chrysogaster | Australia — Tasmania coast | 30 (wingspan) |