This list includes 37 Zoo animals that start with G, from “Gaboon Viper” to “Guanaco”. They range from large mammals and primates to birds and reptiles commonly held in accredited zoos. You can use this list for education, zoo visits, school projects, and quick species lookup.

Zoo animals that start with G are species whose common names begin with the letter G and appear in zoos. For example, the giraffe has inspired many African cultures and serves as a key conservation ambassador.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Region of origin, and Typical adult size (cm; measurement method).

Common name: The familiar name helps you quickly recognize animals when visiting exhibits, teaching, or doing school research.

Scientific name: The binomial gives you the exact species identity and helps connect to scientific literature and conservation records.

Region of origin: Shows the species’ native continents or countries so you understand habitat, climate, and geographic context.

Typical adult size (cm; measurement method): Gives approximate adult length or shoulder height in centimeters, and notes whether measurements are total length or body length.

Sourcing notes: Species names, native regions, and size estimates draw on AZA/EAZA zoo inventories, ZIMS records, the IUCN Red List, field guides, and museum databases. Measurements are approximate; individual animals vary by age, sex, and the measurement method used.

Zoo animals that start with G

Common name Scientific name Region of origin Typical adult size (cm) Description
Galápagos Tortoise Chelonoidis nigra South America: Ecuador (Galápagos) 120 (carapace length) cm Iconic long-lived herbivore often seen in zoos and conservation centres; huge domed shell, slow-moving, important for island ecology. IUCN concerns vary by taxon; many programs focus on breeding and rewilding.
Galápagos Penguin Spheniscus mendiculus South America: Ecuador (Galápagos) 50 (total length) cm The only tropical penguin found in many aquaria and zoos; black-and-white with a short bill, eats fish. Vulnerable species with small, localized populations.
Gaboon Viper Bitis gabonica Africa: Gabon, Cameroon 150 (total length) cm Large, heavy-bodied viper common in reptile houses; spectacular leaf-pattern camouflage and long fangs. Ambush predator feeding on mammals and birds; not endangered but habitat-impacted.
Gila Monster Heloderma suspectum North America: United States, Mexico 45 (total length) cm Stocky, bead-scaled venomous lizard kept in many zoo herpetariums; black-and-orange pattern, feeds on eggs and small prey. Protected in parts of its range.
Golden Lion Tamarin Leontopithecus rosalia South America: Brazil 26 (head-body length) cm Small, flamboyant New World monkey common in primate exhibits; orange mane, omnivorous. Endangered; captive breeding and reintroduction programs exist.
Golden-headed Lion Tamarin Leontopithecus chrysomelas South America: Brazil 25 (head-body length) cm Similar to other tamarins, with a golden head and mane; seen in zoos and conservation centers. Omnivore; threatened by habitat loss.
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Eurasia/North America: United States, Russia 80 (total length) cm Large raptor often in bird-of-prey displays; dark plumage and powerful flight. Carnivorous predator; widespread but locally vulnerable in places.
Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus Asia: China 90 (total length) cm Colorful gamebird common in aviaries: males have bright crest and long tail. Omnivorous seed and insect eater; popular in collections for display and breeding.
Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Europe/Asia: Spain, Turkey 100 (total length) cm Large scavenging bird kept by many zoos for education; pale head, broad wingspan. Important carrion-eater, regional conservation efforts in place.
Gray Wolf Canis lupus North America/Eurasia: United States, Russia 110 (head-body length) cm Familiar large canid commonly exhibited in zoo wolf enclosures; social pack behavior, varied diet. Conservation status varies regionally; many captive programs aid education.
Grevy’s Zebra Equus grevyi Africa: Kenya, Ethiopia 250 (head-body length) cm Tall, narrow-striped zebra species seen in many zoological collections; distinct narrow stripes and large ears. Endangered; managed breeding programs common.
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Africa/Europe/Asia: India, Spain 120 (height) cm Iconic pink wading bird in many zoos and wetlands; long legs and curved bill for filter-feeding. Locally common but habitat-sensitive.
Greater One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis Asia: India, Nepal 350 (body length) cm Massive, single-horned rhino sometimes kept in major zoological conservation programs; thick armored skin, grazer/browsers. Vulnerable but recovering via protection.
Giant Panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca Asia: China 150 (head-body length) cm Flagship conservation species in top zoos: black-and-white, bamboo specialist diet. Vulnerable; international captive breeding and reintroduction efforts central to conservation.
Giant Anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla Central/South America: Brazil, Argentina 180 (total length) cm Distinct long-snouted mammal in many zoos; bushy tail, eats ants and termites. Vulnerable in parts of range due to habitat loss.
Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis South America: Brazil, Peru 170 (total length) cm Social semi-aquatic predator displayed in aquatic exhibits; long body and webbed feet. Endangered; sensitive to water pollution and disturbance.
Gambian Pouched Rat Cricetomys gambianus Africa: Ghana, Nigeria 35 (head-body length) cm Large rodent sometimes used in education programs; large cheek pouches, omnivorous. Useful in detection programs; often captive-bred.
Gaur Bos gaurus Asia: India, Thailand 270 (head-body length) cm Large wild cattle occasionally in large-city zoos and reserves; muscular build and high shoulder hump. Vulnerable due to hunting and habitat loss.
Goeldi’s Monkey Callimico goeldii South America: Brazil 25 (head-body length) cm Small South American primate found in many zoo collections; dark fur, insectivorous/frugivorous. Used in breeding programs due to habitat vulnerability.
Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Rhinopithecus roxellana Asia: China 60 (head-body length) cm Striking blue face and golden fur; kept in major zoos for education and conservation. Endangered; dependent on montane forest protection.
Golden Jackal Canis aureus Eurasia/Africa: India, Turkey 75 (head-body length) cm Medium-sized canid occasionally exhibited in zoos and wildlife parks; opportunistic omnivore. Common in parts of its range, locally declining in some areas.
Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae Australia: Australia 13 (total length) cm Brightly colored finch regularly in aviaries; small seed-eater with vivid head patterns. Near threatened in wild; captive populations popular for display.
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Americas: United States, Mexico 50 (total length) cm Large, ear-tufted owl common in raptor centers and zoos; powerful nocturnal predator. Widespread and adaptable.
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Americas: United States, Canada 110 (height) cm Tall, long-legged wading bird sometimes featured in zoo ponds; fish-eating, slow, deliberate stalker. Common but wetlands-dependent.
Guanaco Lama guanicoe South America: Argentina, Chile 120 (head-body length) cm Wild camelid often seen in zoo and safari park herds; slender, long-necked grazer. Least Concern but locally managed for conservation.
Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros Africa: South Africa, Namibia 200 (head-body length) cm Large spiral-horned antelope kept in many safari-style collections; long legs and stripes. Vulnerable locally to hunting.
Galápagos Sea Lion Zalophus wollebaeki South America: Ecuador (Galápagos) 200 (total length) cm Marine mammal featured in some aquaria and conservation displays; gregarious, fish-eating. Endangered with island-specific threats.
Golden Mantella Mantella aurantiaca Africa: Madagascar 3 (snout-vent length) cm Tiny, bright orange poison frog kept in specialist amphibian collections; insectivore. Critically Endangered; captive breeding supports conservation.
Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas Tropical seas: Australia, Mexico 90 (carapace length) cm Large marine turtle in many aquaria and conservation centers; herbivorous adults and migratory. Endangered; nesting beach protection important.
Green Anaconda Eunectes murinus South America: Brazil, Colombia 350 (total length) cm Very large aquatic snake in major herpetariums; olive-green patterned body, ambush predator. Near threatened locally; impressive exhibit animal.
Green Iguana Iguana iguana Central/South America: Brazil, Mexico 150 (total length) cm Common in reptile houses and educational exhibits; long tail and dewlap, mostly herbivorous. Popular in captivity; invasive in some regions.
Gray Seal Halichoerus grypus North Atlantic: United Kingdom, Canada 200 (total length) cm Large pinniped seen in marine mammal facilities; robust body and spotted coat. Populations stable in some areas, variable elsewhere.
Grey Reef Shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos Indo-Pacific: Australia, Indonesia 180 (total length) cm Medium-sized reef shark common in public aquaria; torpedo-shaped, active swimmer. Not globally endangered but reef-dependent.
Geoffroy’s Tamarin Saguinus geoffroyi Central/South America: Panama, Colombia 24 (head-body length) cm Small New World monkey kept in zoos for education; agile, insectivorous/frugivorous. Vulnerable due to habitat loss in parts of range.
Geoffroy’s Cat Leopardus geoffroyi South America: Argentina, Brazil 60 (head-body length) cm Small spotted wildcat occasionally in zoo collections; nocturnal hunter of small mammals. Near threatened in some regions.
Giant Pacific Octopus Enteroctopus dofleini North Pacific: United States, Canada 200 (mantle + arm length approx., total reach) cm Large, intelligent cephalopod commonly displayed in public aquaria; eight arms, problem-solver. Short-lived but a popular exhibit species.
Great Bustard Otis tarda Europe/Asia: Spain, United Kingdom 110 (total length) cm Very heavy, ground-dwelling bird sometimes in conservation aviaries; males are enormous and showy. Globally near threatened with localized conservation programs.

Descriptions

Galápagos Tortoise
Galápagos Penguin
Gaboon Viper
Gila Monster
Golden Lion Tamarin
Golden-headed Lion Tamarin
Golden Eagle
Golden Pheasant
Griffon Vulture
Gray Wolf
Grevy’s Zebra
Greater Flamingo
Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
Giant Panda
Giant Anteater
Giant Otter
Gambian Pouched Rat
Gaur
Goeldi’s Monkey
Golden Snub-nosed Monkey
Golden Jackal
Gouldian Finch
Great Horned Owl
Great Blue Heron
Guanaco
Greater Kudu
Galápagos Sea Lion
Golden Mantella
Green Sea Turtle
Green Anaconda
Green Iguana
Gray Seal
Grey Reef Shark
Geoffroy’s Tamarin
Geoffroy’s Cat
Giant Pacific Octopus
Great Bustard
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.