Complete Animal List


Asian elephant at the El Paso Zoo

Endangered Species
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fish
Invertebrates
Chihuahuan Desert


The following animal list will give you some idea of the diversity of species that live at the El Paso Zoo. Because our exhibits are always changing, some animals may not be on exhibit when you arrive. If you want to check on the exhibit status of a species you can contact the Education Curator at lobellorl@elpasotexas.gov or call 915-521-1850.

Please note that most reptiles and fish on this list are off exhibit while the Zoo completes construction of a new Reptile Exhibit scheduled to open during the spring of 2009. All invertebrates are also off exhibit where they are used exclusively for education programs. Other animals are living off exhibit pending the completion of renovations on the Tropical Pavilion scheduled to re-open during the summer of 2009.

on exhibit Designates animals that were on exhibit when this list was updated on April 9,  2009.
behind the scenes Designates exhibit animals living behind the scenes until the remodeled Tropical Pavilion and new Reptile House are completed, and animals used for animal encounter programs at the Zoo and local schools.

Endangered and Threatened Species
Many species at the El Paso Zoo are classified by conservation organizations and government agencies as endangered or threatened with extinction. The first part of this list summarizes the latest information on the status of selected species (updated April 9, 2009).

See below for more information on codes like SSP, PMP etc.
 

on exhibit Asian Elephant, Endangered, SSP
Asian elephants are competing for habitat with 20% of the world's population in Southeast Asia. Conservationists estimate a wild population of only 35,000 animals across the entire range of the species.

on exhibit Amur leopard, Critically Endangered, PMP
The Amur leopard is one of the rarest large cats in the world with as few as 30 animals left in the wilds of the Amur River region of Russia and China. Major threats to their survival include depletion of prey, habitat loss, and conflict with humans and the small wild population, which makes them vulnerable to inbreeding, and "catastrophes" like fire and disease. There are only about 200 animals in captivity in some 36 zoos around the world. Five leopard cubs have been born here since 2001.

behind the scenesAruba Island rattlesnake, Critically Endangered, SSP
This snake lives on the island of Aruba in the Caribbean and is the rarest rattlesnake in the world. The island is very small and development is destroying most of the snake's habitat. Less than 12 square miles of habitat remains.

on exhibit Bali mynah, Critically Endangered, SSP
This bird is endangered because of forest destruction and the pet trade. Due to captive breeding programs, there are more Bali mynahs in zoos and private aviaries than on the island of Bali in Southeast Asia. Our animals are part the SSP program. A release program has been in existence for about 14 years. Captive bred birds have been released with minimal success because people involved with the black market pet bird trade have captured the birds. A new effort to release birds into better-protected habitat on the nearby island of Nusa Penida is currently underway.

 

on exhibit Bolson tortoise, Vulnerable
These reptiles hibernate during the cooler winter months inside the exhibit and most likely will not be seen. The Bolson tortoise is the largest land turtle in North America. South of El Paso, in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, where the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Durango intersect, there is a Biosphere Reserve called the Bolson de Mapimi. The last remaining wild population of Bolson tortoises survives in this reserve thanks to the conservation efforts of Mexico.

 

 

This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has experienced a population decline of up to 50% over the past 3 generations. It faced catastrophic levels of exploitation during the middle of the 20th century, with subsequent lower levels of exploitation. About six separate subpopulations exist, comprising some 7,000 to 10,000 adults, collectively occurring over about 7,000 sq. km.

 

behind the scenesCotton-top tamarin, SSP
These small primates are endangered because of the clearing of their forest habitat and population depletion from the animal trade. Nature reserves have been set up to help protect the species. Only 2-3,000 survive in the wild.

 

on exhibitGalapagos Tortoise
The greatest threats to the tortoises come from introduced nonnative species to the islands, such as rats, dogs, and cats, which eat tortoise eggs and young tortoises. They also must compete for food with goats and cattle, which causes food shortages. At best, there are about 10,000 to 15,000 tortoises living today on the Galapagos Islands.

 

behind the scenesGolden lion tamarin, SSP
The golden lion tamarin is one of the world's endangered mammals. It has declined largely because of destruction of its forest habitat for lumber, agriculture, pasture and housing. Over 1000 animals now survive in the wild. Thirty years ago, the population was down to 200. Captive breeding programs from Zoos around the world have successfully added nearly 200 animals to the wild population.

on exhibit Hooded Crane, PMP
Listed as endangered by the USFW. World War II devastated hooded crane populations and only 250 were counted at the end of the War. The high density of birds on relatively small wintering grounds in Japan makes them vulnerable to natural or manmade catastrophes. Today the wild population is estimated at 11,500 birds.

 

on exhibit Malayan tiger, Endangered, SSP  
An estimated 500 Malayan tigers are left in the wild of Malaysia, which has carrying capacity of 493 to1480 tigers based on available habitat.

on exhibit Lion-tailed macaque, Endangered, SSP,  
Lion-tailed macaques are the most endangered of the 16 species of macaques. They have a low reproductive rate and seem unable to adapt to human encroachment: clearing of forests for agriculture, construction of dams and roads. Only about 2500 survive in the Ghats Mountains of southwest India.

on exhibit Mauritius pink pigeon, Critically Endangered, SSP 
There were about 15 Pink Pigeons in the wild in the early 1990s. At present (2002) there are just under 350.

on exhibit Mexican wolf, Critically Endangered, SSP
The El Paso Zoo is part of a group of zoos in partnership with a US Fish and Wildlife Service cooperative breeding program to save critically endangered Mexican wolves. The program is designed to breed captive animals in support of a reintroduction project to restore the species to its native habitat in the wilds of Arizona and New Mexico. Approximately 50 animals now roam in the wild because of the effort.

behind the scenesOcelot, SSP  
Listed as endangered in Texas.  Ocelots once lived as far east as Louisiana, but their habitat has been reduced by agriculture. Today only about 100 ocelots live in South Texas.

on exhibitSiamang, SSP 
Listed as endangered by the USFW. Wild populations are decreasing rapidly because of habitat loss.

on exhibitSumatran orangutan, Critically Endangered, SSP
There are more orangutans in the wild than previously thought because of improved population estimates. In 2004, the total world population for Borneo and Sumatra was 50-60,000. The Sumatra situation is extremely desperate with an estimated population of 7,500.

on exhibitSpider monkey, Endangered
Two subspecies from Central America are listed as Endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Most of our spider monkeys are believed to be hybrids.

behind the scenesThick-billed Parrot, SSP
High in the slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains of Central Mexico reside the remaining populations of wild Thick-billed Parrots. Scientists estimate a maximum wild population of 4000 birds.

Definitions:
Our Source at the El Paso Zoo: Our species status reports on based on the Redlist.org maintained by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at redlist.org. For more information visit the Categories and Criteria section of the website.
Endangered: An animal or plant is Endangered when it is not Critically Endangered, but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Critically Endangered: An animal or plant is Critically Endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.
Vulnerable – An animal or plant is Vulnerable when it is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.
Lower Risk: An animal or plant is Lower Risk when it has been evaluated, does not satisfy the criteria for any of the categories Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable.
Hybrid: the offspring of two animals of different species or subspecies such as a mule. For example, there are a number of subspecies (varieties) of spider monkey ranging from Mexico to South America. Some of our spider monkeys are the result of captive breeding between different subspecies.
SSP: Species Survival Plan. The Species Survival Plan program began in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America. Each SSP manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable.
PMP: Population Management Plans provide basic population management for various captive populations. PMPs are established for studbook populations that do not require the intensive management and conservation action of Species Survival Plans (SSPs).

For more information: 915-521-1881 or www.elpasozoo.org

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Mammals

Insectivora
behind the scenesAfrican hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris

Xenartha
behind the scenesHoffman's sloth, Choloepus hoffmani
behind the scenesTamandua, Tamandua tetradactyla

Chiroptera (Bats)
behind the scenesJamaican fruit eating bat, Artibeus jamaicensis
on exhibitIsland flying fox, Pteropus hypomelanus

Primates
on exhibitSpider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyi
behind the scenesCotton-headed tamarin, Saguinus oedipus
behind the scenesGolden lion tamarin, Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia
on exhibitSumatran orangutan, Pongo pygymaeus
on exhibitLion-tailed macaque, Macaca silenus
on exhibitSiamang, Hylobates syndactylus
on exhibitPygmy Sow loris, Nycticebus pygmaeus

Carnivora
on exhibitGray wolf (Mexican), Cannis lupus baileyi
on exhibitMalayan sun bear, Helarctos malayanus
on exhibitAndean (Spectacled bear), Tremarctos ornatus
on exhibitMalayan tiger, Panthera tigris jacksoni
on exhibitAmur leopard, Panthera pardus orientialis
on exhibitSand Cat Felix margarita
on exhibitOcelot, Felis paradalis
behind the scenesEuropean ferret (polecat), Mustela putorius furo

Pinnipedia (fin-footed mammals)
on exhibitCalifornia Sea Lion, Zalophus c. californianus

Proboscidea (Elephants)
on exhibitAsian elephant, Elephas maximus

Perissodactyla (Odd-toed ungulates)
on exhibitMalayan tapir, Tapirus indicus
on exhibitMexican burro, Equus asinus asinus

Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates)
on exhibitBlackbuck, Antilope cervicapra
on exhibitGuanaco, Lama glama guanicoe
on exhibitDomestic goat, Capra hircus
on exhibitDomestic sheep (Navajo-churro), Ovis aries domestica
on exhibitDomestic sheep (Santa Cruz Island), Ovis aries domestica
on exhibitNilgai, Boselaphus tragocamelus

Rodentia
on exhibitPatagonian hare, Dolichotis patagonum
on exhibitBlack-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus
behind the scenesGuinea pig, Cavia porcellus
behind the scenesAcouchi, Myoprocta pratti
on exhibitPrevost's squirrel, Callosciurus prevosti
on exhibitCapybara, Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris
behind the scenesChinchilla, Chinchilla laniger

Lagomorpha
behind the scenesDesert cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus audubonii
behind the scenesDomestic rabbit, Oryctolagus

 

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Birds

Struthioniformes (Ratites)
on exhibitGreater rhea, Rhea americana albescens

Ciconiiformes (Herons and allies)
on exhibitScarlet ibis, Eudocimus ruber
on exhibitCattle egret, Ardeola ibis

Falconiformes (Raptors)
on exhibitWestern harris hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus superior
on exhibitSwainson's hawk, Buteo swainsonii

Anseriformes (Waterfowl and screamers)
on exhibitSpotted whistling duck, Dendrocygna guttata
behind the scenesDomestic duck, Ana platyrhynchos platyrhynchos
on exhibitCommon white-eyed duck, Aythya nyoca
on exhibitMoluccan Radjah Shelduck, Tadorma radja
on exhibitIndian pygmy goose, Nettapus coromandelianus
on exhibitMarbled teal, Marmoronetta angustirostris
on exhibitBlack-bellied tree duck, dendrocygna autumnalis
on exhibitBlue winged teal, Anas discors
on exhibitHooded merganser, Mergus cucullatus
on exhibitCrested screamer, Chauna torquata

Galliformes (Gamebirds)
on exhibitWild turkey, Meleagris gallipavo
behind the scenesGambel's quail, Lophortyx gambelii
on exhibitCrested Wood Partridge, Rollulus roulroul

Gruiformes (Cranes and allies)
on exhibitHooded crane, Grus monacha
behind the scenesCommon trumpeter, Psophia crepitans

Charadriiformes (Shorebirds)
on exhibitDouble-striped thick-knee, Burhinus bistriatus
on exhibitInca tern, Larostrena inca
on exhibitAmerican avocet, Recurvirostra americana
on exhibitMasked plover, Vanellus miles
on exhibitSanderling, Calidris alba
on exhibitWillet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

Columbiformes (Sandgrouse and pigeons)
on exhibitNicobar pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica
on exhibitPink pigeon, Columba mayeri
on exhibitBleeding-heart pigeon, Gallicolumba luzonica
on exhibitMourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Psittaciformes (Parrots)
behind the scenesBlue-and-yellow macaw, Ara ararauna
behind the scenesMilitary macaw, Ara militaris
behind the scenesThick-billed parrot, Rhynchopsitta pachyryncha pachyrncha
behind the scenesLilac-crowned Amazon parrot, Amazona finschi

Cuculiformes (Cuckoos)
on exhibitRoadrunner, Geococcyx californiana

Strigiformes (Owls)
behind the scenesBurrowing owl, Speotyto cunicularia Common screech owl, Otus asio

Caprimulgiformes (Frogmouths and nightjars)
on exhibitTawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides

Coraciformes (Kingfishers, motmots, hornbills)
Blue-crowned motmot, Momotus momota
White-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
on exhibitRhinocerus hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros silverstris

Passeriformes (Songbirds and allies)
on exhibitAzure-winged magpie, Cyanopica cyana
on exhibitJava rice sparrow, Padda oryzivora
on exhibitYellow-ventured bulbul, Pycononotus goiavier
on exhibitRed-crested cardinal, Paroaria coronata
on exhibitSilver-beaked tanager, Ramphocelus
on exhibitMockingbird, Mimus polyglottos
on exhibitClay-colored thrush, Turdus grayi
on exhibitTexas green jay, Cyanocorax yncas glaucescans
on exhibitWhite-throated magpie jay, Calocitta Formosa
behind the scenesPlush-crested jay, Cyanocorax chrysops
Bali/Rothschild's mynah, Leocopsar rothschildi
on exhibitEvening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
behind the scenesPainted bunting, Passerina ciris
behind the scenesWhite-lined tanager, Tachyphonus rufus
behind the scenesRed-rumped cacique, Cacicus haemorrhous

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Reptiles

Testudinata (Turtles and tortoises)
on exhibit Bolson tortoise, Gopherus flavomarginatus (hibernates in winter months, most likely not seen)
on exhibitYellow-footed tortoise, Geochelonia denticulate (hibernates in winter months, most likely not seen)
behind the scenesTexas tortoise, Gopherus berlandieri
behind the scenesPainted wood turtle, Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima
behind the scenesDesert box turtle, Terrapene ornata luteola
behind the scenesDesert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii
on exhibitGalapagos tortoise, Geochelone elephantopus
behind the scenesBig Bend slider, Trachemys scripta galgeae
behind the scenesRed-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans
behind the scenesMata mata, Chelus fimbriatus

Squamata - Suborder Sauria (Lizards)
behind the scenesLeopard gecko, Eublepharus macularius
behind the scenesBanded Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum cinctum
behind the scenesMexican beaded lizard, Heloderma horridum horridum
on exhibitRhinocerous iguana, Cyclura c. cornuta
behind the scenesBearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps
behind the scenesWestern chuckwalla, Sauromalus obesus obesus
behind the scenesNew Guinea blue-tongued skink, Tiliqua gigas
behind the scenesSavannah monitor, Varanus exanthematicus

Suborder Serpentes (Snakes)
behind the scenesRoyal/Ball python, Python regius
on exhibitBurmese python, Python molurus bivittatus
behind the scenesYellow anaconda, Eunectes notaeus
behind the scenesEmerald tree boa, Corallus caninus
behind the scenesDesert kingsnake, Lampropeitis geetulus splendida
behind the scenesDesert rosy boa, linchanura trivirgata gracia
behind the sceneBullsnake, Piturphoris melanoleucas sayi
behind the sceneCornsnake, Elaphe guttata guttata
behind the scenesAruba island rattlesnake, Crotalus unicolor
behind the scenesBanded rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus klauberi
behind the scenesBlack-tailed rattlesnake, Crotalus molossus molossus
behind the scenesSouth American (Tropical) rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus
behind the scenesOranate Cantil, Agkistrodon bilineatus bilineatus
behind the scenesHopi rattlesnake, Crotalus virdis nuntius
behind the scenesPanamint rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchelli stephensi
behind the scenesPygmy faded rattlesnake, Crotalus virdis concolor
behind the scenesWestern diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox
behind the scenesDesert Massasagua Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus
behind the scenesBushmaster, Lachesis muta muta
behind the scenesEyelash Palm Pitviper, Bothriechis schlegeli

Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles)
on exhibitAmerican alligator, Alligator mississippiensis

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Amphibians

Order Anura
on exhibitBlue poison dart frog, Dedrobates azureus
on exhibitYellow and blue poison dart frog, Dendrobates tinctorius
behind the scenesRed-eyed frog, Agalychnis callidryas
behind the scenesRamsey Canyon leopard frog, Rana subaquavocalis

Order Caudata
behind the scenesBlack-spotted newts, Notpthalmus meridionalis
behind the scenesAxolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum

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Fish

Order: Rajiformes (Skates and Rays)
behind the scenesOcellated stingray, Potamotrygon motoro

Order: Characiformes
behind the scenesRummy-nosed tetra, Hemigrammus bleheri
behind the scenesHigh-backed headstander, Abramites hypelonotus

Order: Cypriniformes
on exhibitGoldfish, Carassius auratus
on exhibitCommon carp, Cyprinus carpio
on exhibitKoi (Japanese ornamental carp), Carassius auratus gibelio

Order: Siluriformes
behind the scenesPlecostomus, Hypostomus plecostomus
behind the scenesBlack swawtooth catfish, Pseudodoras niger

Order: Cyprinodontiformes (Topminnows)
behind the scenesSpotted cichlid, Cichlasoma synspilum
behind the scenesFour-eyed fish, Anableps anableps
behind the scenesCarbonera Pupfish, Cyprinodon fontinalis

Order: Percomorphi/ Perciformes
on exhibitLongnose butterfly fish
on exhibitKing angelfish
on exhibitLong nose hawkfish
behind the scenesConvict cichlid, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum
behind the scenesSpotted cichlid, Cichlasoma synspilum
behind the scenesBlack damselfish, Dasycyllus melanurus
behind the scenesGolden damsel fish, Amblyglyphidadon aureus
behind the scenesMoon wrasse, Thalassoma lunare
behind the scenesBlue tang, Acanthurus coeruleus
behind the scenesPorkfish, Anisotremus virginicus
behind the scenesSeverum cichlid, Cichlascma severum

Order: Osteoglossiformes
behind the scenesSilver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

on exhibitZebra Moray, Gymnomuraena zebra

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Invertebrates:

 

Insects


behind the scenesHissing cockroach, Gromhadorhina portentosa
behind the scenesCaribbean Giant Cockroach, Blaberus giganteus
behind the scenesFerocious water bug, Belostoma flumineum

 

Arachnids


behind the scenesDesert hairy scorpion, Haadruras arizonensis
behind the scenesChilean rose tarantula, Grammostola rosa
behind the scenesCosta Rica tarantula, Aphonopelma seemanni
behind the scenesTexas brown tarantula, Brachypelma hentzi
behind the scenesTexas tan tarantula, Aphonopelma anax
behind the scenesTucson blond tarantula, Aphonopelma chalcodes
behind the scenesStraight-horned baboon tarantula, Ceratogyrus cornuata

behind the scenesGoliath bird-eating tarantula, Theraphosa blondi
behind the scenesStripe-tailed scorpion, Vaejovis spenigerus
behind the scenesBlack widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus
behind the scenesBrown recluse spider, Laxosceles apache
behind the scenesStriped Bark scorpion, Centroides vittatus
behind the scenesEmperor Scorpion, Pandinus imperator
behind the scenesArizona tailless whip scorpion, Paraphrynus mexicanus
behind the scenesVinegaroon, Mastigoproctus giganteus

 

Chilopods 

behind the scenesGiant Peruvian centipede, Scolopendras gigantean
behind the scenesSonoran centipede, Scolopendras polymorpha

Diplopods 

behind the scenesSonoran Desert millipede, Orthoporus crnatus
behind the scenesGiant African millipede, Achispino spretptus gigus

Coelenterates 

(Live rock)
behind the scenesGorgonea coral, Gorgonea aegina
behind the scenesColonial anemone, Protoplaythoa sp.
behind the scenesUmbrella false coral, Discosoma sp.

Molluscs 

behind the scenesAstrea snail, Astrea tecta
behind the scenesBanded coral shrimp, Stenopus hispidus

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Chihuahuan Desert Species
The following species living at the El Paso Zoo are also native to the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert.

Mammals
on exhibitGray wolf (Mexican), Cannis lupus baileyi
behind the scenesDesert cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus audubonii i

Birds


on exhibitCattle egret, Ardeola ibis
on exhibitWestern harris hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus superior
on exhibitSwainson's hawk, Buteo swainsonii
on exhibitBlue winged teal, Anas discors
on exhibitWild turkey, Meleagris gallipavo
behind the scenesGambel's quail, Lophortyx gambelii
on exhibitMourning dove, Zenaida macroura
behind the scenesThick-billed parrot, Rhynchopsitta pachyryncha pachyrncha
behind the scenesRoadrunner, Geococcyx californiana
behind the scenesBurrowing owl, Speotyto cunicularia
behind the scenesCommon screech owl, Otus asio
on exhibitEvening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
behind the scenesPainted bunting, Passerina ciris

Reptiles
on exhibitBolson tortoise, Gopherus flavomarginatus (hibernates during winter months, may not be seen)
behind the scenesDesert box turtle, Terrapene ornata luteola
behind the scenesBig Bend slider, Trachemys scripta galgeae
behind the scenesRed-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans
behind the scenesDesert kingsnake, Lampropeitis geetulus splendida
behind the scenesBullsnake, Piturphoris melanoleucas sayi
behind the scenesBanded rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus klauberi
behind the scenesBlack-tailed rattlesnake, Crotalus molossus molossus
behind the scenesWestern diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox

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Updated April 9, 2009.

Please send comments or questions to Rick LoBello, Curator of Education at lobellorl@elpasotexas.gov.

Sources
Encyclopedia of Animals, various authors and editors, 2002 Barnes and Noble Books, original copyright 1993.
Fishbase.org. 2003