This list includes 29 Zoo animals that start with T, from “Argentine black and white tegu” to “Two-toed sloth”. It covers reptiles, mammals, birds, and amphibians commonly shown in zoos for education and conservation.
Zoo animals that start with T are species with common names beginning with the letter “T”. Many are well-known attractions, like the tiger, and help teach visitors about conservation.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Region of origin, and Typical adult size (cm).
Common name: Everyday name of the animal; you use this to quickly recognize species on signs and in exhibits.
Scientific name: The binomial Latin name lets you locate precise species information and compare animals across sources.
Region of origin: Gives the continent or country where the species naturally occurs, helping you understand its habitat and range.
Typical adult size (cm): Lists average adult length or height in centimeters, specifying whether measurement refers to body length or shoulder height.
Zoo animals that start with T
| Common name | Scientific name | Region of origin (continent/country) | Typical adult size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger | Panthera tigris | Asia — India; Russia | 220–310 cm (total length) |
| Tasmanian devil | Sarcophilus harrisii | Australia — Australia (Tasmania) | 50–80 cm (body length) |
| Takin | Budorcas taxicolor | Asia — China; Bhutan; Myanmar | 180–230 cm (total length) |
| Tammar wallaby | Notamacropus eugenii | Australia — Australia | 60–85 cm (body length) |
| Tuatara | Sphenodon punctatus | Oceania — New Zealand | 50–80 cm (total length) |
| Tufted capuchin | Sapajus apella | South America — Brazil; Peru | 35–55 cm (body length) |
| Tufted deer | Elaphodus cephalophus | Asia — China; Myanmar | 90–100 cm (total length) |
| Toco toucan | Ramphastos toco | South America — Brazil; Argentina | 55–65 cm (total length) |
| Three-banded armadillo | Tolypeutes tricinctus | South America — Brazil; Bolivia; Paraguay | 30–40 cm (body length) |
| Two-toed sloth | Choloepus hoffmanni | Central & South America — Costa Rica; Panama; Colombia | 50–70 cm (body length) |
| Three-toed sloth | Bradypus variegatus | South America — Brazil; Panama; Colombia | 40–60 cm (body length) |
| Thomson’s gazelle | Eudorcas thomsonii | Africa — Kenya; Tanzania | 90–110 cm (body length) |
| Toco (Toco) note: Toco toucan already listed | — | — | — |
| Argentine black and white tegu | Salvator merianae | South America — Argentina; Brazil; Uruguay | 100–140 cm (total length) |
| Tokay gecko | Gekko gecko | Asia — Indonesia; Philippines; Malaysia | 30–40 cm (total length) |
| Thorny devil | Moloch horridus | Australia — Australia | 20–25 cm (total length) |
| Topi | Damaliscus lunatus | Africa — Kenya; Tanzania; Uganda | 170–200 cm (body length) |
| Tufted puffin | Fratercula cirrhata | North America — USA (Alaska); Canada | 30–35 cm (body length) |
| Trumpeter swan | Cygnus buccinator | North America — USA; Canada | 150–170 cm (length) |
| Turkey vulture | Cathartes aura | North America — USA; Mexico | 160–180 cm (wingspan) |
| Takahe | Porphyrio hochstetteri | Oceania — New Zealand | 63–72 cm (body length) |
| Tiger salamander | Ambystoma tigrinum | North America — USA; Canada | 20–30 cm (total length) |
| Tawny owl | Strix aluco | Europe — UK; France; Germany | 37–43 cm (body length) |
| Tiger shark | Galeocerdo cuvier | Global — Tropical seas; Indo-Pacific | 300–420 cm (total length) |
| Timor monitor | Varanus timorensis | Asia — Indonesia (Timor); East Timor | 50–70 cm (total length) |
| Timber rattlesnake | Crotalus horridus | North America — USA; Canada | 90–140 cm (total length) |
| Tomato frog | Dyscophus antongilii | Africa — Madagascar | 6–12 cm (snout–vent length) |
| Tufted duck | Aythya fuligula | Europe & Asia — UK; Russia; China | 35–45 cm (body length) |
| Tiger barb | Puntigrus tetrazona | Asia — Thailand; Malaysia | 5–7 cm (total length) |
Descriptions
Tiger
Iconic big cat kept for education and conservation; solitary, carnivorous, endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
Tasmanian devil
Noisy carnivorous marsupial known for powerful jaws; commonly exhibited in conservation programs for disease management.
Takin
Sturdy, goat-antelope of mountain forests; displayed for its unusual build and as an Asian conservation ambassador.
Tammar wallaby
Small macropod often in walk-through or petting exhibits; good for teaching marsupial reproduction and grazing ecology.
Tuatara
Ancient reptile lineage unique to New Zealand; slow-growing and of high conservation interest.
Tufted capuchin
Intelligent, curious primate often used in enrichment demonstrations; omnivorous and social.
Tufted deer
Small deer with a distinctive forehead tuft and fang-like canines; kept for education on Asian forest species.
Toco toucan
Large-billed, colorful bird popular in aviaries; bill used in displays about thermoregulation and diet.
Three-banded armadillo
Small armadillo that can roll into a ball; exhibited for its unique defense and habitat needs.
Two-toed sloth
Slow-moving folivore commonly seen in rainforest exhibits; great for discussing metabolism and arboreal adaptations.
Three-toed sloth
Slow arboreal mammal with a relaxed lifestyle; frequent in rainforest displays and conservation talks.
Thomson’s gazelle
Graceful savanna antelope often in mixed-species plains exhibits; fast and frequently used to discuss predator–prey dynamics.
Toco (Toco) note: Toco toucan already listed
—
Argentine black and white tegu
Large omnivorous lizard common in reptile houses; noted for intelligence and strong foraging behavior.
Tokay gecko
Nocturnal, vocal gecko frequently displayed in herpetariums; popular for its striking pattern and calls.
Thorny devil
Small, spiny lizard that collects water via skin channels; an education favorite for desert adaptations.
Topi
Antelope of African savannas kept in mixed-species exhibits; useful for discussing migration and social behavior.
Tufted puffin
Colorful seabird often in coastal aviaries or aquarium bird displays; known for diving ability and clown-like bill.
Trumpeter swan
Largest North American swan, commonly seen in wetland exhibits; notable for loud calls and conservation recovery stories.
Turkey vulture
Common scavenger displayed in raptor centers to teach about ecosystem cleanup and soaring flight.
Takahe
Large, flightless rail once thought extinct; key species in conservation breeding and education programs.
Tiger salamander
Large mole salamander often in amphibian exhibits; useful for teaching metamorphosis and wetland ecology.
Tawny owl
Woodland raptor common in education and raptor demonstration programs; nocturnal and vocal.
Tiger shark
Large predatory shark occasionally held in public aquariums; impressive for talks on marine predators and fisheries impacts.
Timor monitor
Small, arboreal monitor lizard kept in reptile collections; active and good for discussing varanid diversity.
Timber rattlesnake
Venomous pit viper found in many herpetological displays; used for education on venom, ecology, and conservation.
Tomato frog
Brightly colored frog kept in amphibian exhibits; mucus secretions deter predators, useful for conservation messages.
Tufted duck
Diving duck commonly held in waterfowl collections; shows seasonal plumage differences and diving behavior.
Tiger barb
Small, schooling freshwater fish often seen in public aquarium displays; useful in lessons about shoaling and freshwater habitats.