This list includes 32 Zoo animals that start with P, from “Paddlefish” to “Pygmy marmoset”. These species are commonly featured in zoo education, conservation programs, and public exhibits worldwide.
Zoo animals that start with P are species whose common English names begin with the letter P. They range from tiny primates like the pygmy marmoset to large fish such as the paddlefish. Notably, the paddlefish represents an ancient lineage that dates back millions of years.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Region of origin, and Typical adult size (cm).
Common name: The everyday English name used at zoos and on signage so you can quickly identify species.
Scientific name: The binomial Latin name gives precise species identification and aids research or further reading.
Region of origin: The native continent or country shows natural habitat and helps you understand conservation context.
Typical adult size (cm): Adult length or height in centimeters; fish use total length and mammals use body or shoulder height.
Zoo animals that start with P
| Common name | Scientific name | Region of origin | Typical adult size (cm) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peacock | Pavo cristatus | Asia (India) | 200–230 cm (total length including train) | Iconic male peafowl with iridescent train used in displays; common in zoo aviaries and interpretive exhibits, often introduced species with cultural significance and easy to observe. |
| Polar bear | Ursus maritimus | Arctic (Canada, Norway) | 200–300 cm (total length) | Large, sea-ice adapted bear frequently featured in major zoos; charismatic conservation ambassador threatened by sea-ice loss, impressive size and swimming ability. |
| Puma | Puma concolor | Americas (USA, South America) | 140–200 cm (total length) | Also called cougar or mountain lion, widely exhibited as a solitary big cat; adaptable predator used in education about habitat connectivity and human–wildlife conflict. |
| Pygmy hippopotamus | Choeropsis liberiensis | Africa (Liberia) | 130–175 cm (body length) | Smaller, forest-dwelling hippo species kept in many zoos for conservation breeding; reclusive, nocturnal and endangered due to habitat loss. |
| Pudu | Pudu puda | South America (Chile, Argentina) | 33–45 cm (shoulder height) | World’s smallest deer, charming and unusual in hoofstock collections; shy browser from Andean forests and often part of conservation or educational displays. |
| Painted stork | Mycteria leucocephala | Asia (India) | 150–170 cm (wingspan) | Striking large wading bird commonly kept in waterbird collections; easily seen in mixed flocks, feeds by tactile fishing and is culturally familiar in Asia. |
| Peregrine falcon | Falco peregrinus | Worldwide (Northern Hemisphere) | 74–120 cm (wingspan) | Famous fast-flying raptor used in education and falconry programs; urban-adapted, excellent example for discussing migration, recovery and conservation. |
| Porcupine | Erethizon dorsatum | North America (USA, Canada) | 60–90 cm (head-body length) | Large New World porcupine often exhibited in small mammal houses; nocturnal, quill-defended herbivore useful for talks about unique mammal defenses. |
| Pelican | Pelecanus onocrotalus | Africa/Asia (sub‑Saharan Africa, India) | 240–310 cm (wingspan) | Big, gregarious waterbird common in zoo collections and waterbird exhibits; famous for its bill pouch and group fishing behavior. |
| Pronghorn | Antilocapra americana | North America (USA) | 100–145 cm (body length) | North America’s fastest land mammal, regularly kept in larger zoo hoofstock collections; unique evolutionary lineage and great for discussing grassland ecology. |
| Prairie dog | Cynomys ludovicianus | North America (USA) | 25–35 cm (head-body length) | Social, burrowing rodent frequently seen in zoo naturalistic enclosures and educational exhibits; highly social with complex vocalizations and ecosystem engineering roles. |
| Platypus | Ornithorhynchus anatinus | Australia (eastern Australia) | 30–45 cm (body length) | Egg‑laying monotreme showcased in specialized displays; fascinating physiology (electrolocation) and major draw for visitors to Australian exhibits. |
| Painted turtle | Chrysemys picta | North America (USA, Canada) | 10–25 cm (carapace length) | Common pond turtle in educational exhibits and aquaria; adaptable, widespread species useful for teaching about freshwater habitats and life histories. |
| Panamanian golden frog | Atelopus zeteki | Central America (Panama) | 2.5–5 cm (snout–vent length) | Highly distinctive, brightly colored amphibian held in assurance colonies; extinct in the wild and a high-profile conservation species in zoos and breeding programs. |
| Palm cockatoo | Probosciger aterrimus | Australasia (New Guinea, Australia) | 55–60 cm (total length) | Large, black cockatoo with striking crest and beak, kept in some major aviaries; notable for tool use and long lifespan—excellent ambassador for tropical forests. |
| Puffin | Fratercula arctica | North Atlantic (Iceland, UK) | 25–30 cm (total length) | Colourful, diving seabird popular in aquarium/aviary displays; recognizable bill, used to teach about marine food webs and seabird conservation. |
| Painted dog | Lycaon pictus | Africa (Botswana, South Africa) | 75–110 cm (head-body length) | Also called African painted dog; highly social, wide-ranging carnivore in many large zoo carnivore programs and conservation breeding initiatives. |
| Potto | Perodicticus potto | Africa (West and Central Africa) | 30–40 cm (head-body length) | Nocturnal, slow-moving primate often in primate houses; interesting for visitors because of its unique locomotion and cryptic lifestyle. |
| Pygmy marmoset | Cebuella pygmaea | South America (Amazon) | 14–16 cm (head-body length) | World’s smallest monkey, commonly displayed in rainforest walk-throughs and primate exhibits; great for close-up viewing and education about arboreal niches. |
| Pied tamarin | Saguinus bicolor | South America (Brazil: Manaus region) | 20–30 cm (head-body length) | Small, endangered tamarin species held in primate collections for conservation and education about Amazonian endemics and urban threats. |
| Purple swamphen | Porphyrio porphyrio | Europe/Asia/Africa (Mediterranean, India) | 45–60 cm (total length) | Large, colorful rails seen in zoo waterbird collections; bold and often tame, useful for demonstrations about wetland ecosystems. |
| Palawan peacock-pheasant | Polyplectron napoleonis | Asia (Philippines) | 50–70 cm (total length) | A showy, endemic pheasant kept in conservation-focused aviaries; excellent example of island endemism and captive breeding for rare birds. |
| Port Jackson shark | Heterodontus portusjacksoni | Australia (southern Australia) | 100–120 cm (total length) | Small, distinctive shark commonly kept in public aquaria; bottom-dwelling with a patterned body and easy to view in touch-tank or reef displays. |
| Piranha | Pygocentrus nattereri | South America (Amazon) | 20–35 cm (total length) | Well-known freshwater fish often in aquarium exhibits; schooling predator famous in pop culture but useful for discussing ecology and fish diversity. |
| Paddlefish | Polyodon spathula | North America (Mississippi basin) | 150–250 cm (total length) | Large freshwater filter-feeding fish found in many aquaria; notable for its long rostrum and conservation concerns in heavily altered rivers. |
| Pallas’s cat | Otocolobus manul | Asia (Central Asia) | 46–65 cm (head-body length) | Small, dense-furred wild cat displayed in some zoos; unusual face and adaptations to cold steppe habitats make it an intriguing educational species. |
| Proboscis monkey | Nasalis larvatus | Asia (Borneo) | 60–80 cm (head-body length) | Big-nosed leaf-eating monkey kept in several major zoos; distinctive appearance and complex social behavior make it a popular primate exhibit. |
| Puff adder | Bitis arietans | Africa (sub‑Saharan Africa) | 60–125 cm (total length) | Commonly displayed venomous snake in reptile houses; stout ambush predator often used in talks about snake ecology and medical importance. |
| Princess parrot | Polytelis alexandrae | Australia | 30–35 cm (total length) | Elegant, slender parrot kept in aviaries; attractive for visitors and used to discuss Australian arid-zone bird conservation. |
| Pink pigeon | Nesoenas mayeri | Africa (Mauritius) | 32–36 cm (total length) | Conservation success story held in captive breeding programs worldwide; island endemic recovered thanks to zoo-led efforts and reintroductions. |
| Peccary | Pecari tajacu | Americas (Mexico, USA, Central America) | 80–100 cm (body length) | Tough, social New World pig kept in many zoos; useful for interpreting Neotropical ecosystems and differences from Old World pigs. |
| Pied avocet | Recurvirostra avosetta | Europe/Asia (UK, Mediterranean) | 40–45 cm (total length) | Elegant shorebird often in wetland displays and bird collections; striking plumage and upturned bill are great for visitor engagement. |
Descriptions
Peacock
Polar bear
Puma
Pygmy hippopotamus
Pudu
Painted stork
Peregrine falcon
Porcupine
Pelican
Pronghorn
Prairie dog
Platypus
Painted turtle
Panamanian golden frog
Palm cockatoo
Puffin
Painted dog
Potto
Pygmy marmoset
Pied tamarin
Purple swamphen
Palawan peacock-pheasant
Port Jackson shark
Piranha
Paddlefish
Pallas’s cat
Proboscis monkey
Puff adder
Princess parrot
Pink pigeon
Peccary
Pied avocet