This list includes 23 Zoo animals that start with D, from “Dall sheep” to “Dyeing poison frog”. These species range from large mammals to small amphibians commonly found in accredited zoo collections. You can use this list for school projects, zoo visits, or quick species identification.
Zoo animals that start with D are species whose common names begin with the letter D. Many of these have cultural or conservation significance, such as the Dall sheep’s importance to northern indigenous communities.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Region of origin, and Typical adult size (cm).
Common name: The familiar name helps you find species quickly on exhibit signs, classroom lists, or field guides.
Scientific name: The binomial name gives the species’ unique Latin identifier, useful for precise research and cross-referencing.
Region of origin: You see where each species naturally occurs, helping you compare geographic ranges and conservation contexts.
Typical adult size (cm): Typical adult size in centimetres shows average body length or height, measured as nose-to-tail or shoulder height.
Zoo animals that start with D
| Common name | Scientific name | Region of origin | Typical adult size (cm) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dama gazelle | Nanger dama | Africa — Sahel (Chad, Niger) | 100 cm (length) | Slender desert antelope with striking white and tan markings; kept in zoos for conservation breeding and to teach about Sahelian wildlife. |
| De Brazza’s monkey | Cercopithecus neglectus | Africa — Central Africa (DR Congo, Cameroon) | 50 cm (body length) | Stocky, orange-bearded monkey prized for its expressive face; common in primate exhibits and conservation programs. |
| Dhole | Cuon alpinus | Asia — India & Southeast Asia | 100 cm (head-body length) | Social wild dog with reddish coat and complex pack behavior; zoos highlight their ecology and endangered status. |
| Dugong | Dugong dugon | Oceania/Asia — Northern Australia & Indo‑Pacific | 250 cm (length) | Gentle marine herbivore related to manatees; rare in aquaria but kept for education about seagrass ecosystems and marine conservation. |
| Desert tortoise | Gopherus agassizii | North America — Southwestern USA | 25 cm (carapace length) | Long‑lived, slow-moving desert reptile used in outreach about habitat loss and species recovery efforts. |
| Dalmatian pelican | Pelecanus crispus | Europe/Asia — Southeastern Europe & Central Asia | 300 cm (wingspan) | Massive white pelican with shaggy nape feathers; often exhibited to teach wetland conservation and migratory bird ecology. |
| Diamond dove | Geopelia cuneata | Australia — Northern Australia | 20 cm (length) | Petite, silver‑spotted dove popular in aviaries for its gentle behavior and suitability for public displays. |
| Dingo | Canis lupus dingo | Australia — Australia | 100 cm (length) | Wild dog of Australia frequently shown in educational programs about introduced species, ecology, and cultural significance. |
| Drill | Mandrillus leucophaeus | Africa — Nigeria & Cameroon region | 60 cm (head-body length) | Powerful, colorful primate related to baboons; zoos focus on its threatened status and rainforest habitat. |
| Dik-dik | Madoqua kirkii | Africa — Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) | 40 cm (shoulder height) | Tiny, delicate antelope often seen in small‑mammal or savanna exhibits; used to illustrate niche specialization and predator–prey dynamics. |
| Dwarf mongoose | Helogale parvula | Africa — Sub-Saharan Africa (Southern Africa) | 25 cm (body length) | Small, highly social carnivore common in interactive demonstrations about cooperative behavior and ecosystem roles. |
| Dwarf crocodile | Osteolaemus tetraspis | Africa — West & Central Africa | 150 cm (length) | Small, armored crocodile kept in reptile houses; valuable for education about rainforest waterways and cryptic predators. |
| Dwarf caiman (Cuvier’s dwarf caiman) | Paleosuchus palpebrosus | South America — Amazon basin | 170 cm (length) | Small-bodied caiman often displayed in zoo reptile collections to explain Amazonian predators and wetland conservation. |
| Dwarf seahorse | Hippocampus zosterae | Americas — Western Atlantic & Caribbean | 7 cm (length) | Minute, delicate seahorse popular in aquarium touch‑tank talks about camouflage, reproduction, and habitat protection. |
| Dyeing poison frog | Dendrobates tinctorius | South America — Guianas & Amazon | 6 cm (length) | Brightly colored dart frog commonly exhibited in tropical vivaria to teach about warning coloration and amphibian conservation. |
| Death adder | Acanthophis antarcticus | Australia — Eastern & Southern Australia | 80 cm (length) | Ambush‑hunting venomous snake often found in reptile collections; used for safety education and venom research outreach. |
| Dall sheep | Ovis dalli | North America — Alaska & Yukon | 120 cm (body length) | Alpine sheep displayed in mountain or North American exhibits; helps illustrate adaptations to cold, rugged habitats. |
| Degu | Octodon degus | South America — Central Chile | 25 cm (head-body length) | Social, diurnal rodent popular in small-mammal displays and classroom programs about behavior and husbandry. |
| Desert monitor | Varanus griseus | Asia/Africa — Central Asia & Middle East | 180 cm (length) | Large monitor lizard in many reptile houses; used to discuss reptile biology, thermoregulation, and desert adaptations. |
| Diamondback terrapin | Malaclemys terrapin | North America — Eastern USA coastal wetlands | 18 cm (carapace length) | Brackish‑water turtle commonly kept in conservation displays highlighting estuary habitats and saltmarsh threats. |
| Double-crested cormorant | Nannopterum auritum | North America — Coastal & inland North America | 125 cm (wingspan) | Black diving bird often in aviaries or aquatic shows; great for explaining fish‑eating adaptations and human–wildlife interactions. |
| Darwin’s frog | Rhinoderma darwinii | South America — Chile & Argentina | 3 cm (length) | Tiny, unusual frog known for male parental care; kept in specialized collections for conservation and life‑history education. |
| Dusky leaf monkey | Trachypithecus obscurus | Asia — Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia) | 55 cm (body length) | Soft‑faced, arboreal primate with white eye rings; exhibited to highlight arboreal adaptations and forest conservation. |
Descriptions
Dama gazelle
De Brazza’s monkey
Dhole
Dugong
Desert tortoise
Dalmatian pelican
Diamond dove
Dingo
Drill
Dik-dik
Dwarf mongoose
Dwarf crocodile
Dwarf caiman (Cuvier’s dwarf caiman)
Dwarf seahorse
Dyeing poison frog
Death adder
Dall sheep
Degu
Desert monitor
Diamondback terrapin
Double-crested cormorant
Darwin’s frog
Dusky leaf monkey