This list includes 25 Zoo animals that start with L, from “Lace monitor” to “Lyrebird”. These species include reptiles, birds, and mammals. Zoos commonly exhibit them for education, conservation breeding, and public engagement.
Zoo animals that start with L are species whose common names begin with the letter L and appear in zoo collections worldwide. For example, the lyrebird is famous for its remarkable vocal mimicry, which makes it a popular educational highlight.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Region of origin, and Typical adult size (cm).
Common name: The familiar name used on exhibits and signs, helping you quickly identify species during visits or research.
Scientific name: The binomial Latin name used for precise identification and cross-referencing in field guides and databases.
Region of origin: Continental and country-level range that shows where the species naturally occurs, which helps with conservation context.
Typical adult size (cm): Typical adult size given in centimeters, with the measurement method noted (total body length or shoulder height) for clear comparisons.
Zoo animals that start with L
| Common name | Scientific name | Region of origin | Typical adult size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion | Panthera leo | Africa; Tanzania, South Africa | 170–250 (total length) |
| Leopard | Panthera pardus | Africa/Asia; India, South Africa | 90–190 (total length) |
| Lynx | Lynx lynx | Europe/Asia; Russia, Sweden | 60–75 (shoulder height) |
| Lappet-faced vulture | Torgos tracheliotos | Africa; Kenya, South Africa | 95–115 (total length) |
| Lammergeier | Gypaetus barbatus | Europe/Africa/Asia; Spain, Ethiopia | 95–125 (total length) |
| Loggerhead sea turtle | Caretta caretta | North America/Asia; United States, Japan | 90–120 (total length) |
| Lesser flamingo | Phoenicopterus minor | Africa; Kenya, Tanzania | 80–90 (height) |
| Little penguin | Eudyptula minor | Oceania; Australia, New Zealand | 33–39 (height) |
| Laughing kookaburra | Dacelo novaeguineae | Oceania; Australia | 39–46 (total length) |
| Leopard tortoise | Stigmochelys pardalis | Africa; South Africa, Kenya | 40–70 (carapace length) |
| Lion-tailed macaque | Macaca silenus | Asia; India | 45–60 (body length) |
| Long-tailed macaque | Macaca fascicularis | Asia; Indonesia, Thailand | 40–60 (body length) |
| Leopard cat | Prionailurus bengalensis | Asia; India, China | 40–60 (total length) |
| Leopard gecko | Eublepharis macularius | Asia; Pakistan, Afghanistan | 15–25 (total length) |
| Lionfish | Pterois volitans | Indo-Pacific; Indonesia, Philippines | 20–35 (total length) |
| Lace monitor | Varanus varius | Oceania; Australia | 150–200 (total length) |
| Long-nosed fur seal | Arctocephalus forsteri | Oceania; New Zealand, Australia | 150–220 (total length) |
| Longhorn cowfish | Lactoria cornuta | Indo-Pacific; Indonesia, Philippines | 30–50 (total length) |
| Leafcutter ant | Atta cephalotes | South America; Brazil, Colombia | 2–3 (body length) (worker ant) |
| Long-eared owl | Asio otus | Europe/North America; United Kingdom, United States | 31–40 (total length) |
| Little lorikeet | Glossopsitta pusilla | Oceania; Australia | 17–19 (total length) |
| Lady Amherst’s pheasant | Chrysolophus amherstiae | Asia; China, Myanmar | 100–140 (total length) |
| Lesser kudu | Tragelaphus imberbis | Africa; Kenya, Ethiopia | 90–100 (shoulder height) |
| Lesser anteater | Tamandua tetradactyla | South America; Brazil | 50–88 (body length) |
| Lyrebird | Menura novaehollandiae | Oceania; Australia | 80–100 (total length) |
Descriptions
Lion
Iconic big cat living in prides; central to savanna exhibits and conservation education about predators and habitat loss.
Leopard
Solitary, adaptable spotted cat known for climbing; commonly shown in big-cat exhibits to discuss agility and human-wildlife conflict.
Lynx
Medium wild cat with tufted ears and short tail; used in zoo programs about boreal forests and carnivore ecology.
Lappet-faced vulture
Large scavenger with bare facial skin and throat flaps; prominent in raptor collections and vulture-conservation talks.
Lammergeier
Also called bearded vulture; bone-eating specialist often in raptor displays highlighting unusual diets and bone-tool behavior.
Loggerhead sea turtle
Large marine turtle frequently featured in aquariums and conservation exhibits focused on nesting, bycatch, and marine debris.
Lesser flamingo
Small pink flamingo species kept in flocks for breeding displays and public programs about wetland conservation.
Little penguin
Smallest penguin species, popular in aquarium and coastal exhibits; great for close-up viewing and feeding demonstrations.
Laughing kookaburra
Large kingfisher famed for its laughing call; common in aviaries and educational talks on Australian wildlife.
Leopard tortoise
Attractive patterned tortoise often in reptile houses and children’s exhibits; hardy and easy to observe.
Lion-tailed macaque
Endangered primate with a striking mane; kept for conservation breeding and primate-behavior education.
Long-tailed macaque
Widespread Southeast Asian monkey noted for long tail and social groups; frequent in primate exhibits.
Leopard cat
Small wild cat with spotted coat resembling domestic cats; appears in small-cat displays and education on wild felids.
Leopard gecko
Popular, hardy nocturnal lizard in reptile houses; excellent for public education about reptile care and behavior.
Lionfish
Striking, venomous reef fish common in public aquariums; used to illustrate reef ecology and invasive species impacts.
Lace monitor
Large Australian monitor lizard often in reptile exhibits; impressive climber and a public favorite.
Long-nosed fur seal
Also called New Zealand fur seal; kept in marine-mammal displays and rehabilitation programs for visitor demonstrations.
Longhorn cowfish
Boxy, horned reef fish regularly seen in aquariums; useful in talks about fish defenses and reef diversity.
Leafcutter ant
Famous social insect often displayed in ant farms to demonstrate fungus farming, division of labor, and colony dynamics.
Long-eared owl
Medium owl with ear tufts and secretive habits; common in raptor centers and nocturnal exhibits.
Little lorikeet
Tiny, colorful nectar-feeding parrot kept in aviaries and interactive feeding displays.
Lady Amherst’s pheasant
Spectacular long-tailed pheasant often in ornamental aviaries; males display elaborate plumage for visitors.
Lesser kudu
Slender, spiral-horned antelope seen in African hoofstock exhibits and managed for conservation breeding.
Lesser anteater
Also called southern tamandua; tree-climbing anteater in tropical exhibits, known for prehensile tail and insect diet.
Lyrebird
Renowned mimicking songbird; kept in some Australian collections to showcase complex vocal mimicry and behavior.