Top 10 Best Zoo Animals

Zoos are amazing places that let you see and learn about animals from all around the world, many of which you might never get to encounter otherwise. From fierce predators to curious little creatures, zoos showcase an incredible variety of wildlife, giving you a unique opportunity to experience the animal kingdom up close.

Each animal on this list brings something special to the table, whether it's their impressive size, their quirky behavior, or simply their undeniable charm. Some may steal the show with their intelligence, while others might win you over with their sheer cuteness.
The Top Ten
Penguin Penguins (order Sphenisciforme, family Spheniscid) are a group of aquatic flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere: only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is found north of the Equator. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white... read more

Penguins, small birds that live in cold environments, are a family of birds. They inhabit the top of the earth. Each day, they walk around and look for food. Remember, there's water everywhere around Antarctica.

But that's why a pair of flippers could work in the ocean. They feed on krill, fish, squid, and others. Sardines swim away fast! But these fish-killing predators can swim at least 24 MPH. And also, they have sharp jaws as sharp as a shot going into the fish. Penguins can survive at least 20 years, 5 months, 8 weeks, and 7 days.

Giraffe The giraffe is a tall African hoofed mammal belonging to the genus Giraffa. It is the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant- hoofed herbivorous- on Earth. Traditionally, giraffes were thought to be one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies. Most recently, researchers... read more

Giraffes are literally the best! They've been my favorite animal for a long time now, and for good reason. They have such a nice disposition, and since they were added to the threatened species list, let's all do our best to get them back on top!

Giraffes are the loveliest animals ever! I think that people should stop hunting giraffes for their skin. Giraffes are awesome! Giraffes rock!

These beautiful, majestic animals deserve the number one spot! Come on, people, vote for giraffes and get them up there! If I could have a pet giraffe, I definitely would.

Goat The goat or domestic goat (Capra hircus) is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (C. aegagrus) of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the animal family Bovidae and the tribe Caprini, meaning it is closely related... read more

Feeding and petting the goats is the best part of every zoo visit, especially if there are babies to hold.

Operation Goat has been initiated. We shall not stop until goats reign supreme.

Feeding goats is always fun for the kids. Both young humans and goats agree. Get it? Kids?

Bear Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern Hemisphere and partially in the Southern Hemisphere. Bears... read more

I remember going to a zoo when I was a kid, and the polar bears' enclosure was made of glass (or perhaps plastic, but it was a strong material). The bears had a sort of swimming pool, and we could see them swimming underwater near us. It was really incredible to see.

Polar bears are the most amazing things I have ever seen. They are huge and wonderful. If you have a zoo, get polar bears!

Polar bears are so fun to watch, playing around in the water and sleeping. The polar bears at the Cincinnati Zoo, Bearit and Little One, are especially fun to watch.

Tiger The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus Panthera. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily preys on ungulates such as deer and wild boar. It is territorial and generally... read more

Tigers are personally my favorite animal, and I think everyone needs to pitch in to help save them.

I am a gifted student and think highly about saving endangered animals like tigers.

Who likes penguins when you have tigers? All penguins do is waddle around quacking. Whereas tigers are sweet and fluffy, elegant, and cute. They also need our help, seeing as they are close to extinction. Would you rather have a fluffy genius or a quacking penguin? I know which one I would choose.

Tangy tiger is the best. Penguins? That word has nothing to compare to the greatness of tigers. Tigers should not only be the best animal in the zoo but in the world. Vote Tigers if you have any sense at all. The only reason I go to the zoo is to see them. Don't forget to subscribe. They are the best creation on earth.

Lion The lion (Panthera leo) is a large cat of the genus Panthera native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body, short, rounded head, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane. It is... read more

The lion is the King of the Beasts for a reason. It is renowned worldwide as a symbol of courage and strength. For this reason, among others, it is one of the greatest animals in creation and definitely one of the greatest zoo animals.

When I was 5, I went to Bristol Zoo. They had lions there, and I asked the keeper if I could take one home because I loved them so much. Obviously, he said they weren't for sale, but ever since then, I've loved them, and now they're my favorite animal.

Lions are my favorite animals because, with their large manes, they look very brave and powerful. With 3-inch canines, 3-inch claws, and a bite force from 691 to 1000 psi, a lion is a 3 in 1 combo!

Red Panda The red panda (Ailurus fulgens), or also known as the red bear-cat or the red cat-bear, is a mammal native to the Eastern Himalayas and Southwestern China. It's the only animal that belongs to the Aliuridae family. Despite having the word "panda" in its name, it's not a panda. It's closely related to... read more

Adorable to watch as they sleep in trees. They are more closely related to raccoons than to giant pandas, but are way cuter than raccoons.

I don't know anything about a red panda, but they sound really cool. I would like to see one in real life.

This is the cutest animal at a zoo by far. It is also awake when the others are asleep.

Elephant Elephants are the largest existing land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae and the order Proboscidea, extinct relatives include mammoths... read more

I also love Dumbo and think elephants are so cute. Their long trunks and the way they use them to take a shower are very adorable. Elephants are very sweet animals with big floppy ears that are so cute. Overall, I love elephants and how sweet they are.

I love the movie Dumbo, so I love elephants, even though they are the worst-smelling animals in the whole zoo. They are cute and fat and have really big ears. They are also really fun to draw for artists like myself. These animals are so easy to draw, even with finger paint.

Gorilla Gorillas are herbivorous, predominantly ground-dwelling great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, and either four or five subspecies. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of... read more

Seriously, who can't be fascinated by these creatures? Their intellect, strength, and social hierarchies make them endlessly compelling animals to behold. In addition to being -- hands down, no debate about it -- the best fathers in the natural world, the silverback gorilla ranks right up there with male lions, elk, and elephants as the most majestic animals in the entire animal kingdom.

Everyone just seems to collectively understand they are in the presence of something uniquely powerful and emotionally stirring when in the presence of a silverback leading his troop and maintaining order.

Giant Panda The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), also known as the panda bear (or simply the panda), is a bear species endemic to China.
It is characterised by its bold black-and-white coat and rotund body. The name "giant panda" is sometimes used to distinguish it from the red panda, a neighboring musteloid... read more

Giant pandas are definitely the kids' favorite. Who doesn't like those cuties?

Giant pandas are fascinating to look at and are incredibly cute. They are NUMBER 1.

They are the best bears to exist. And in China, you can take a picture with one.

The Newcomers

? Kudu The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus Tragelaphus: Lesser kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis, of eastern Africa. Greater kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, of eastern and southern Africa.

Such amazing deer-like animals. They can jump so high!

? Fossa

I love fossas! They are the only natural predators of the lemur and are super cute!

The Contenders
Meerkat The meerkat or suricate is a small carnivoran belonging to the mongoose family. It is the only member of the genus Suricata.

The cutest animal ever! But also very intelligent. They line up ready to be led by the alpha, take turns being a sentry guard, are very social, and did I mention they were awesome?

All lions do is sit around all day doing nothing but the occasional walk and yawn. Meerkats, however, are constantly scurrying, digging, and running.

I think you will agree, the most fun to watch, interesting, funny, cute, loving, AWESOME!

Cheetah The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat and native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, estimated to be capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h (50 to 80 mph) with the fastest reliably recorded speeds being 93 and 98 km/h (58 and 61 mph), and as such has several adaptations... read more

Cheetahs are my favorite animal. They are very fast, possibly the fastest animal in the entire world! However, I must say their acceleration is so quick.

If cheetahs were not endangered and were vicious predators, they could easily kill humans. Despite their jaws, they'll probably bite small chunks out of humans each time so they can eat us. But that's just a thought, not reality... Or is it?

Cheetahs are so beautiful, especially king cheetahs. They are so fast. Some have been clocked at above 100 miles an hour. I love all cat animals.

Alligator An alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. The two living species are the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. Alligators have long existed since the Oligocene epoch 37 million... read more

I think alligators are great animals. They are certainly not the monsters people think they are.

They're sneakily big, they blend in, and I don't get why they're the least liked reptiles.

The Albino Alligator is just so cool in white. It just stands out in an awesome way.

Shark Sharks are a group of elasmobranch fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the clade Selachimorpha (or Selachii) and are the sister group to the rays. However,... read more

They are one of the best creations on earth to me.

I love sharks. They are so scary.

Awesome animals. Everyone thinks they are man-eating, but coconuts kill more people than them.

Mountain Goat

Yay, Mountain Goat! It's the second-best goat after the regular goat.

Lemur Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. The word "lemur" derives from the word lemures (ghosts or spirits) from Roman mythology and was first used to describe a slender loris due to its nocturnal habits and slow pace, but was later applied to the primates on... read more

I love lemurs. When I was seven, I was at a zoo on the Isle of Wight, and in the walk-in lemur enclosure, a lemur jumped on my head and scared the living daylights out of me. From then on, my family calls me the monkey mama.

Zebra Zebras (subgenus Hippotigris) are African equines with distinctive black-and-white striped coats. There are three living species: the Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi), plains zebra (E. quagga), and the mountain zebra (E. zebra). Zebras share the genus Equus with horses and asses, the three groups being... read more

Zebras are great animals, with beautiful bodies, colored white and black. They compare well to a woman named Omegis in the series Mortal Kombat Conquest. Omegis is a witch, friend to the sorcerer Shang Tsung. In the series, Omegis helps Shang Tsung to cheat death, and together they triumph over Master Cho, earning their freedom. I compare zebras to Omegis.

Zebras are super adorable. I love their stripes and everything, except when something comes out of their rear end.

They are so cute and adorable. I just love them so much.

Monkey Monkeys are haplorhine primates, a paraphyletic group generally possessing tails and consisting of approximately 260 known living species.

Monkeys are very interesting and fun to watch as they scream and play.

They like to swing around and know how to have a good time.

Monkeys are like humans. They are our ancestors.

Sea Lion Sea lions are sea mammals characterized by external ear flaps, long foreflippers, the ability to walk on all fours, short, thick hair, and a big chest and belly.

My favorites are sea lions, bears, and kangaroos.

Rhinoceros A rhinoceros, commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. (It can also refer to a member of any of the extinct species of the superfamily Rhinocerotoidea.) Two of the extant species are... read more

Despite what most people believe, rhinos are actually quite shy and relatively sweet. They are not the aggressive monsters people think they are. Yes, they will charge at you, but they do that because they have poor eyesight and can't see distances, so they approach a potential threat in this way.

They are also extremely endangered, quite possibly one of the most endangered animals on the planet due to poaching. I absolutely love rhinos, and it brings tears to my eyes thinking about how many rhinos have been senselessly slaughtered. There is really no other animal that is quite like the rhino either, with a horn or two on his head for protection, big, strong, and built like a tank. These animals are magnificent beasts.

Llama The llama is a domesticated South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since the Pre-Columbian era.

You'll agree with me that llamas should be number one on this list after you listen to the llama song on YouTube. It's amazing!

One of them spat on me. It was the best zoo memory of mine.

Llamas are the best living things in the whole universe.

Ram
Bat Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera. With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most birds, flying with their very long spread-out digits covered with a thin membrane or patagium. The smallest bat, and... read more

How are there 25 better animals than bats? They are the coolest animal, even more so than hyenas.

Bats are rated nine and a half in coolness by me!

Yak

The yak is the greatest animal of all time.

Kangaroo The kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae. In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus: the red kangaroo, antilopine kangaroo, eastern grey kangaroo, and western grey kangaroo.
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