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San Diego Zoo animals that steal the spotlight

San DiegoSan Diego ZooAnimals & Exhibits

The San Diego Zoo has more than 12,000 animals coming from over 680 species and subspecies. It is home to a number of endangered animals and has a robust conservation and protection program. If you want to see some rare animals up close, such as bonobos, cheetahs, and babirusas, the San Diego Zoo has you covered. Let us have a look at some more popular San Diego Zoo animals so you can keep an eye out for them when you visit!

Pygmy Hippopotamus

The endangered pygmy hippopotamus looks like a smaller version of its larger cousin, the common hippopotamus. These predominantly-nocturnal animals like to roam around their outdoor enclosure at night. They live peacefully alongside their neighbours, the Wolf’s monkeys, off Treetops Way in Lost Forest.

Clouded Leopard

These mysterious animals, originally residents of the rain forests in Southeast Asia, have a stocky build and cloud-like spots on them. They are a rarely-seen genus of cats and have canines that are the same size as tigers, in spite of their smaller body size. Clouded leopards are currently a threatened species.

Bonobo

Bonobos are among the most intelligent primates in the world. These highly endangered animals are very social and they have never been observed killing another member of their own species. Among the San Diego Zoo animals, Bonobos hold a special place because the zoo was one of the first of its kind to include them in its exhibits.

Penguin

The San Diego Zoo is home to a colony of African penguins, whose natural habitat is the shorelines of southern Africa. The adorable creatures can traverse both land and sea, and their black-and-white coloring is an adaptive feature designed to evade predators. African penguins are an endangered species and they live in the Africa Rocks section of the zoo.

Elephant

The Elephant Odyssey section of the zoo has strikingly smart and social elephants. At the Elephant Care Center, they even participate in their own health checks! These giants eat around 330 pounds of food in one day, which mainly consists of grasses, trees, leaves, shrubs, and other kinds of vegetation.

Red Panda

Originally residents of China’s bamboo forests, red pandas have traditionally been associated with the giant pandas but are now representatives of their own genetic family, Ailuridae. These endangered bamboo-munching animals have red and white fur, which helps disguise them among the red moss and white lichen of their natural habitat.

Hamadryas Baboon

Hamadryas Baboons are highly active animals that belong to the Old World monkey family. They were sacred to the ancient Egyptian civilization and are thus also called 'sacred baboons'. These omnivorous baboons usually live in arid and rocky regions, therefore they are great at climbing and exploring sheer cliffs for food and shelter.

Two-toed Sloth

The two-toed sloths are not part of the usual San Diego Zoo animal crew, but make special appearances now and then as animal ambassadors. These sloths are usually found in the forests of South America and have curved claws growing 3 to 4 inches long. They eat leaves, stems, buds, and some fruit of low nutritional value and are thus low on energy.

Amur Leopard

Amur leopards have a rich sense of scent, so their caregivers at the zoo add touches of spicy oils like cinnamon, spearmint, and lavender to their hay and climbing platforms. They love climbing, exploring, and playing but also love sleeping equally. These stealthy and graceful animals are endangered and are found in the Africa Rocks and Asian Passage sections.

Vervet Monkey

Vervet monkeys are highly social animals with a strong sense of community. They often play with their young, groom each other, and sunbathe together. They are extremely smart creatures who are very expressive, both vocally and using body language. They have a very distinctive alarm call when faced with predators such as leopards, eagles, pythons, and baboons.

Gelada

These elegant beings are thought to be the most terrestrial primate species and are found in the mountains of Ethiopia. Geladas have a distinct patch of bare, pink skin on their neck and chest area in the shape of an hourglass. In spite of their relative smallness when compared to the males, the females are the commanding force in a unit of Geladas.

Chinese Alligator

Chinese alligators are a critically endangered species that can be seen at the Discovery Outpost section of the San Diego Zoo. Because of their petite size, these crocodiles look almost cute and cartoon-like. However, they have hard, protective scales covering almost all of their body and sharp claws on their front feet that they use for burrowing.

Polar Bear

The polar bears reside at the Conrad Prebys Polar Bear Plunge, in the farthest corner of the San Diego Zoo but they are massively popular with visitors. These bears are native to the Arctic and usually feed on a steady diet of seals, walruses, beluga whales and other aquatic animals. They can live both on ice and land, depending on the season.

Anaconda

The South American green anacondas belong to the boa family of snakes and are great swimmers. They love the water and often use it to hunt their prey as their nostrils and eyes are on top of their head. Unfortunately, humans are their biggest adversary mainly because of their valuable skin. These San Diego Zoo animals reside at the Reptile House.

Galápagos Tortoise

The mighty Galápagos tortoises are the oldest residents of the San Diego Zoo and some of them are more than a century old! These gentle giants love flowers and therefore are very attracted to bright colours. They can stay alive without food and water for up to a year because of their ability to store them in their bodies.

Things to keep in mind while interacting with the animals

  • Be respectful: When you visit the San Diego Zoo, make sure that you're using the designated paths and not getting into areas that are restricted to visitors. This is for the safety of all at the zoo.
  • Ensure safety: A few tours and experiences take you really close to the animals, such as Animals in Action Experience and Inside Look Tours. Make sure that you follow the instructions carefully when participating. 
  • No littering: The zoo has large exhibit areas that have been modeled after the natural habitats of the animals that reside in the respective sections. To take proper care of the animals, do not leave behind any trash as it harms the ecosystem that has been created.
  • Take charge of children: If you are taking children to see the San Diego Zoo animals, keep a check on them at all times. Ensure that they do not compromise the safety of the animals or themselves. 
  • Protect the animals: While personal photography and videography are allowed at the zoo, do take care of ensuring the safety of the animals. Do not disturb them or use camera flashes on sensitive animals. Observe the animals from a safe distance so as to not stress them
























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Frequently asked questions about the San Diego Zoo animals

What are some unique animals I should not miss?

Among the animals in San Diego Zoo are quite a few unique and rarely seen ones, such as the pygmy hippopotamus, red panda, komodo dragon, clouded leopards, and more.

Are there rare or endangered animals at the San Diego Zoo?

The San Diego Zoo cares for many rare and endangered species like the African elephant, bonobos, African penguin, red panda, amur leopard, and more.

Are there animal shows or demonstrations?

Some animal shows and experiences are conducted to raise money for conservation efforts in which some rare animals participate as animal ambassadors. These happen in a strictly controlled environment so that the animals are comfortable.

Can I interact with the animals?

Programs like Animals in Action Experience and Inside Look Tours allow you to interact with the wildlife up close. However, strict conduct must be maintained.

What’s the best time of day to see the animals active?

While there is no guarantee of patterns in animal sightings at the zoo due to the specially crafted nature-inspired habitats, a number of animals rise early, so you're slightly more likely to see them in the morning.

Are there any nocturnal animals at the San Diego Zoo?

There are a few nocturnal animals at the zoo, the most prominent being the pygmy hippopotamus.

Can I feed the animals?

You cannot usually feed the animals at the zoo for strict dietary and safety reasons. However, at the San Diego Safari Park, you can feed the giraffes and the rhinos during some tours under supervision.

Is the zoo kid-friendly for animal interactions?

The San Diego Zoo is extremely kid-friendly. However, adults must always keep an eye on their children to ensure their safety. Children who are 15 and under must enter with an adult. Each adult can bring four children.

What are the accessibility options for animal exhibits?

The zoo provides several options for guests with special accessibility needs. They are provided with special parking, access washrooms, and special ADA shuttle services for those with mobility issues. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are allowed inside and can even be rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Special interpretation services are provided for different disabilities during the Guided Bus Tour or other special tours. Service animals are welcome as per policy.

Is photography allowed in animal enclosures?

Yes, photography and videography are allowed at the zoo, however only for personal purposes. For professional or commercial purposes, you have to apply for a permit in advance.