What is your most commonly seen...

Prochilodus246

Prochilodus246

Well-Known Member
Much like @snowleopard who recently created the amazing thread of what mammalian species he has seen on his travels and the exhibitory standards across the said collections at which the species are/were held, I wondered whether the rest of us could share what our most commonly seen animal taxa by class* across the facilities we have visited.

Mine are as follows:

Mammal: Meerkat Suricata suricatta at 16 collections
Bird: Humboldt penguin Spheniscus humboldti at 14 collections
Reptile: African spurred tortoise Centrochelys sulcata at 8 collections
Amphibian: Dyeing poison dart frog Dendrobates tinctorius at 6 collections
Fish: Ocellaris clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris at 10 collections
Insect: Giant owl butterfly Caligo telamonius memnon & Menelaus blue morpho Morpho menalaus at 4 collections
Arachnid: Salmon pink bird-eating tarantula Lasiodora parahybana at 3 collections
Mollusc: Giant African land snail Archachatina marginata at 5 collections
Crustacean: Ambon cleaner shrimp Lysmata amboinensis at 5 collections
Other taxa (Corals, sponges, jellies etc): Zoanthid coral sp. at 3 collections

*If people do wish to go into more detail into what their most commonly seen passerine, felid etc go for it.
 
I only keep track of tetrapods, but my most common in each class are, out of 39 zoos visited:

Mammals: North American River Otter- 15 zoos
Birds: Bald Eagle- 16 zoos
Reptiles: Prehensile-Tailed Skink- 13 zoos
Amphibians: Yellow-Banded Poison Dart Frog- 10 zoos
 
Here is what I have as of this writing. I am only considering facilities that I have actually recorded species lists for (unless I also remember seeing the animal at a facility I haven't recorded a list for). I have visited 37 facilities as of this writing, but I have not recorded a species list for 10 of those (most of which are because I visited them before I really got into this hobby, and 2 of them are closed forever).

Anyway...
  • Mammal: Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) at 12 collections.
  • Bird: Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) at 10 collections.
  • Reptile: Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) at 14 collections.
    • This is also my most-observed species, period. At least at collections I have cataloged species lists for.
  • Amphibian: Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus) at 10 collections.
  • Fish: 4-way tie between the following species, each at 11 collections.
    • Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber)
    • Northern Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)
    • Common Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
    • Lookdown (Selene vomer)
  • Insect: Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) at 7 collections.
  • Arachnid: Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) at 4 collections.
  • Mollusc: Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) at 7 collections.
  • Crustacean: Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) at 6 collections.
  • Other Taxa: Bubble-tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) at 8 collections.
 
I only have a life list for mammals (although I am starting work on one for birds), so I thought I would stick to that category, but take the second option and go into more detail, by looking at the species I have most often seen in zoos by each order:

Carnivora - Meerkat (29 collections)
Primates - Ring-tailed Lemur (24 collections)
Artiodactyla - Giraffe (19 collections)
Perissodactyla - Brazilian Tapir (16 collections)
Rodentia - Capybara (15 collections)
Diprotodontia - Bennett's Wallaby (15 collections)
Pilosa - Giant Anteater (12 collections)
Proboscidea - Asian Elephant (7 collections)
Chiroptera - Rodriguez Flying Fox (6 collections)
Cingulata - Southern Three-banded Armadillo (6 collections)
Monotremata - Koala (4 collections)
Afrosoricida - Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (3 collections)
Macroscelidea - Round-eared Sengi (3 collections)
Scandentia - Belanger's Treeshrew (2 collections)
Dasyuromorphia - Kowari / Tasmanian Devil (1 collection)

A fun activity that revealed some big surprises - beforehand, I would have never thought that I had seen Giraffes at more collections than Bennett's Wallaby, for example!
 
Mammals: Tiger - 32 zoos
Birds: Blue Peafowl - 41 zoos
Reptiles: Saltwater Crocodile - 30 zoos
Amphibians: White's Tree Frog - 7 zoos

It is strange at how few zoos even "common" species are seen at when counting them up.


And with some other breakdowns:

Monotremes: Platypus - 4 zoos
Marsupials: Sugar Glider - 11 zoos
Xenarthrans: Linne's Two-toed Sloth - 4 zoos
Pangolins: Sunda Pangolin - 2 zoos
Elephants: Asian Elephant - 27 zoos
Sirenians: tie between Dugong and West Indian Manatee - 2 zoos
Perissodactyls: Plains Zebra - 23 zoo
Artiodactyls: Sambar - 25 zoos
Bats: Malayan Flying Fox (P vampyrus) - 4 zoos
Primates: Ring-tailed Lemur - 19 zoos
Carnivores: Tiger - 32 zoos
Rodents: Malayan Crested Porcupine - 14 zoos

Ratites: Emu - 31 zoos
Penguins: tie between Humboldt and Little Blue Penguins - 7 zoos
Pelicans: Spot-billed Pelican - 12 zoos
Cranes: tie between Grey Crowned and Sarus Cranes - 10 zoos
Storks: Painted Stork - 13 zoos
Herons: Cattle Egret - 13 zoos
Ibis: Scarlet Ibis - 11 zoos
Waterfowl: Black Swan - 24 zoos
Birds of Prey: Brahminy Kite - 15 zoos
Gamebirds: Blue Peafowl - 41 zoos
Parrots: Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo - 35 zoos
Pigeons: Spot-necked Dove - 16 zoos
Owls: Barn Owl - 12 zoos
Hornbills: Great Hornbill - 16 zoos
Passerines: Greater Hill Mynah - 19 zoos

Crocodilians: Saltwater Crocodile - 30 zoos
Lizards: Common Iguana - 25 zoos
Snakes: Reticulated Python - 21 zoos
Chelonians: Red-eared Slider - 26 zoos
 
So I wanted to follow in others footsteps and provide a taxon breakdown of my most commonly-seen species from each category.

  • Afrosoricida - Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi) at 1 collection.
  • Artiodactyla - Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) at 10 collections.
  • Carnivora - North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) at 8 collections.
  • Chiroptera - Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) at 4 collections.
  • Cingulata - Screaming Hairy Armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus) at 2 collections.
  • Diprotodontia - Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) at 4 collections.
  • Hyracoidea - Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) at 3 collections.
  • Lagomorpha - Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) at 1 collection.
  • Macroscelidea - Black-and-rufous Sengi (Rhynchocyon petersi) at 1 collection.
  • Perissodactyla - Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) at 8 collections.
  • Pilosa - Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) at 4 collections.
  • Primates - Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) at 13 collections.
  • Proboscidea - African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana) at 6 collections.
  • Rodentia - Naked Molerat (Heterocephalus glaber) at 4 collections.
  • Scandentia - Northern Treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri) at 1 collection.
  • Sirenia - West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) at 3 collections.
  • Accipitriformes - Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at 7 collections.
  • Anseriformes - Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) at 7 collections.
  • Bucerotiformes - Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) at 5 collections.
  • Caprimulgiformes - Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) at 6 collections.
  • Cariamiformes - Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) at 1 collection.
  • Casuariiformes - Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) at 7 collections.
  • Cathartiformes - 2-way tie with 3 collections each.
    • King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
    • Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
  • Charadriiformes - Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) at 7 collections.
  • Ciconiiformes - 2-way tie with 3 collections each.
    • Abdim's Stork (Ciconia abdimii)
    • White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
  • Coliiformes - Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) at 2 collections.
  • Columbiformes - Victoria Crowned-Pigeon (Goura victoria) at 7 collections.
  • Coraciiformes - Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) at 10 collections.
  • Cuculiformes - Crested Coua (Coua cristata) at 3 collections.
  • Eurypygiformes - Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) at 6 collections.
  • Falconiformes - 4-way tie with 1 collection each.
    • American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
    • Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)
    • Merlin (Falco columbarius)
    • Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
  • Galliformes - Crested Partridge (Rollulus rouloul) at 8 collections.
  • Gruiformes - Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus) at 6 collections.
  • Musophagiformes - Violet Turaco (Musophaga violacea) at 4 collections.
  • Otidiformes - 2-way tie with 1 collection each.
    • Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori)
    • White-bellied Korhaan (Eupodotis senegalensis)
  • Passeriformes - Taveta Golden-Weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) at 5 collections.
  • Pelecaniformes - Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta)
  • Phoenicopteriformes - American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) at 8 collections.
  • Piciformes - Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) at 2 collections.
  • Psittaciformes - Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) at 8 collections.
  • Rheiformes - Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) at 2 collections.
  • Sphenisciformes - African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) at 4 collections.
  • Strigiformes - 2-way tie with 4 collections each.
    • Barred Owl (Strix varia)
    • Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)
  • Struthioniformes - Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) at 7 collections.
  • Suliformes - Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) at 3 collections.
  • Tinamiformes - Elegant Crested-Tinamou (Eudromia elegans) at 1 collection.
  • Crocodylia - American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at 13 collections.
  • Squamata (Snakes) - Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) at 14 collections.
  • Squamata (Lizards) - Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) at 7 collections.
  • Testudines - Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) at 11 collections.
  • Anura - Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus) at 10 collections.
  • Caudata - Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) at 6 collections.
  • Gymnophiona - Rubber Eel (Typhlonectes natans) at 2 collections.
  • Acanthuriformes - Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber) at 11 collections.
  • Acipenseriformes - 3-way tie with 2 collections each.
    • Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)
    • Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
    • Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus)
  • Amiiformes - Ruddy Bowfin (Amia calva) at 4 collections.
  • Anabantiformes - 2-way tie with 3 collections each.
    • Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy)
    • Three Spot Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus)
  • Anguilliformes - Green Moray (Gymnothorax funebris) at 10 collections.
  • Atheriniformes - Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) at 4 collections.
  • Batrachoidiformes - Gulf Toadfish (Opsanus beta) at 3 collections.
  • Carangiformes - Lookdown (Selene vomer) at 11 collections.
  • Centrarchiformes - Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) at 10 collections.
  • Characiformes - 4-way tie with 4 collections each.
    • Banded Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus)
    • Pink-tailed Chalceus (Chalceus macrolepidotus)
    • Redbelly Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)
    • Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)
  • Cichliformes - Blue-green Chromis (Chromis viridis) at 10 collections.
  • Cypriniformes - Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) at 5 collections.
  • Cyprinodontiformes - Sheepshead Minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) at 4 collections.
  • Elopiformes - Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) at 6 collections.
  • Esociformes - Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) at 1 collection.
  • Gobiiformes - 2-way tie at 3 collections each.
    • Neon Goby (Elacatinus oceanops)
    • Yellow Coralgoby (Gobiodon okinawae)
  • Gymnotiformes - Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus) at 2 collections.
  • Holocentriformes - Blackbar Soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) at 8 collections.
  • Kurtiformes - Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) at 7 collections.
  • Lepisosteiformes - Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) at 8 collections.
  • Osteoglossiformes - 4-way tie at 2 facilities each.
    • Elephantnose Fish (Gnathonemus petersii)
    • Freshwater Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi)
    • Giant Arapaima (Arapaima gigas)
    • Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)
  • Perciformes - Common Lionfish (Pterois volitans) at 11 collections.
  • Salmoniformes - 4-way tie at 2 facilities each.
    • Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus)
    • Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
    • Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
    • Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
  • Siluriformes - Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) at 4 collections.
  • Syngnathiformes - Northern Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) at 11 collections.
  • Tetraodontiformes - 2-way tie at 6 collections each.
    • Lagoon Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)
    • Spotted Porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix)
  • Carcharhiniformes - Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) at 8 collections.
  • Lamniformes - Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus) at 7 collections.
  • Myliobatiformes - Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus) at 10 collections.
  • Orectolobiformes - Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) at 6 collections.
  • Rhinopristiformes - Shovelnose Guitarfish (Pseudobatos productus) at 3 collections.
  • Blattodea - Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) at 7 collections.
  • Coleoptera - Desert Ironclad Beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) at 6 collections.
  • Hemiptera - Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) at 2 collections.
  • Hymenoptera - Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) at 3 collections.
  • Lepidoptera - Monarch (Danaus plexippus) at 6 collections.
  • Orthoptera - Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera) at 2 collections.
  • Phasmida - Spiny Leaf insect (Extatosoma tiaratum) at 3 collections.
  • Amblypygi - Common Whipspider (Damon variegatus) at 1 collection.
  • Araneae - Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) at 4 collections.
  • Scorpiones - Desert Hairy Scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) - 3 collections.
  • Uropygi - Giant Vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus) - 3 collections.
  • Decapoda - Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) at 6 collections.
  • Isopoda - Giant Isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) at 2 collections.
  • Stomatopoda - Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) at 2 collections.
  • Chilopoda - Scutigeromorpha - House Centipede (Scutigera coleoptrata) at 1 collection.
  • Diplopoda - Polydesmida - Yellow-and-black Flat Millipede (Apheloria tigana) at 1 collection.
  • Diplopoda - Spirobolida - Florida Ivory Millipede (Chicobolus spinigerus) at 1 collection.
  • Diplopoda - Spirostreptida - Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) at 2 collections.
  • Merostomata - Xiphosurida - Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) at 5 collections.
  • Cnidaria - 2-way tie with 8 collections each.
    • Bubble-tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor)
    • Common Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita)
  • Echinodermata - Bat Star (Patiria miniata) at 7 collections.
  • Mollusca - Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) at 7 collections.
 
I also only track tetrapods (and even then, I've only been super detailed with keeping up with repeats for mammals - I intend to do better about this going forward), and have only done so for the past few years, but based on what I have listed:

Carnivorans: Lion
Ungulates: White-tailed deer
Primates: Western lowland gorilla (I'm surprised too)
Marsupials: Red-necked wallaby
Monotremes: Short-beaked echidna (by default)
Rodents: Patagonian mara
All other mammals: Hoffman's two-toed sloth

Birds result in a massive tie for first. Black vulture, turkey vulture, king vulture, Chilean flamingo, brown pelican, African penguin, and golden-breasted starling are all first, I guess. Although there's probably a handful of more mundane species that it should actually go to.

For reptiles, the American alligator takes a very clean sweep for crocodilians, then African spurred tortoise and komodo dragon for their respective categories. I've started tracking amphibians too recently to have even that much data on them.
 
my current list, looking forward to how it will change over the next few years now that I have more opportunities to visit zoos outside of Texas and Florida.

Amphibians: Green-and-Black Poison Dart Frog(Dendrobates auratus) - 17 collections
Birds: Tie between Bald Eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and American Flamingo(Phoenicopterus ruber) - 14 collections
Fish: Red Lionfish(Pterois volitans) - 7 collections
Mammals: Ring-Tailed Lemur(Lemur catta) - 16 collections
Reptiles: American Alligator(Alligator mississippiensis) - 20 collections
Arthropods: American Horseshoe Crab(Limulus polyphemus) - 5 collections
Cnidarians: Moon Jellyfish(Aurelia aurita) - 6 collections
 
Hello. I also only keep track of tetrapods. Here's my mammals list.

Artiodactyla: Mazama gouazoubira at nine collections;
Carnivora: Panthera onca and Puma concolor at eight collections each;
Chiroptera: Pteropus vampyrus at one collection;
Cingulata: Euphractus sexcintus at three collections;
Diprodontia: Macropus rufus at two collections;
Lagomorpha: Oryctolagus (cuniculus) domesticus at four collections;
Monotremata: Tachyglossus aculeatus at one collection;
Perissodactyla: Tapirus terrestris at ten collections;
Pilosa: Myrmecophaga tridactyla at eight collections;
Primates: Ateles marginatus at seven collections;
Proboscidea: Elephas maximus at five collections;
Rodentia: Cavia porcellus and Dasyprocta azarae at three collections each;
Sirenia: Tricherus inunguis at one collection.
 
This is based on a relatively small handful of zoos and aquariums I've visited since 2021.

Mammal: it's a tie between meerkats and ring-tailed lemurs
Bird: it's a tie between greater rhea and emu.
Reptile: African spurred tortoise
Amphibian: axolotl
Freshwater Fish: blind cave tetra
Marine Fish: common clownfish
Insect: Madagascar hissing cockroach
Crustacean: Pacific cleaner shrimp
Arachnid: Chilean rose tarantula
Mollusc: giant African land snail
Echinoderm: edible sea urchin
Cnidaria: bubble-tipped anemone
 
I realize that my previous post in this thread was made back in May, when I had only visited 5 collections so far in 2024. Now that I have visited 24 collections since, I figured an update was due, as quite a few changes, mixups, and tiebreakers have occurred.

  • Overall - Multiple at 15 collections each.
    • North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
    • Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
  • Afrosoricida - Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi) at 2 collections.
  • Artiodactyla - American Bison (Bison bison) at 11 collections.
  • Carnivora - North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) at 15 collections.
  • Chiroptera - Rodrigues Flying-fox (Pteropus rodricensis) at 5 collections.
  • Cingulata - Multiple at 2 collections each.
    • Screaming Hairy Armadillo (Chaetophractus vellerosus)
    • Southern Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus)
  • Didelphimorphia - Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) at 2 collections.
  • Diprotodontia - Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) at 6 collections.
  • Hyracoidea - Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) at 3 collections.
  • Lagomorpha - Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) at 1 collection.
  • Macroscelidea - Black-and-rufous Sengi (Rhynchocyon petersi) at 2 collections.
  • Perissodactyla - Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) at 10 collections.
  • Pilosa - Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus) at 9 collections.
  • Primates - Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) at 15 collections.
  • Proboscidea - African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana) at 6 collections.
  • Rodentia - North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) at 9 collections.
  • Scandentia - Northern Treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri) at 3 collections.
  • Sirenia - West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) at 3 collections.
  • Tubulidentata - Aardvark (Orycteropus afer) at 2 collections.
River Otters now tie with the Ring-tailed Lemur as my most commonly seen mammal. Bison replace the Giraffe as my most-seen even-toed ungulate (I counted both types of Giraffes separately). Rodriguez Fruit Bats have surprisingly topped vampire bats, and Two-toed Sloths came out on top among Pilosans. Finally, North American Porcupines replaced Naked Mole-rats as my most-seen rodent (seriously, they were everywhere up north).
  • Overall - Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at 17 collections.
  • Accipitriformes - Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at 17 collections.
  • Anseriformes - Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) at 10 collections
  • Apterygiformes - North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) at 1 collection.
  • Bucerotiformes - Multiple at 6 collections each.
    • Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus)
    • Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
  • Cariamiformes - Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) at 2 collection.
  • Casuariiformes - Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) at 10 collections.
  • Cathartiformes - Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) at 7 collections.
  • Charadriiformes - Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) at 8 collections.
  • Ciconiiformes - Multiple with 4 collections each.
    • Abdim's Stork (Ciconia abdimii)
    • White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
  • Coliiformes - Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) at 4 collections.
  • Columbiformes - Victoria Crowned-Pigeon (Goura victoria) at 9 collections.
  • Coraciiformes - Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) at 15 collections.
  • Cuculiformes - Crested Coua (Coua cristata) at 5 collections.
  • Eurypygiformes - Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) at 9 collections.
  • Falconiformes - Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) at 3 collections.
  • Galliformes - Multiple at 9 collections each.
    • Crested Partridge (Rollulus rouloul)
    • Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)
  • Gruiformes - Multiple at 5 collections each.
    • Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus)
    • Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)
  • Musophagiformes - Red-crested Turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus) at 5 collections.
  • Otidiformes - Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) at 2 collections.
  • Passeriformes - Taveta Golden-Weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) at 8 collections.
  • Pelecaniformes - Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) at 10 collections.
  • Phoenicopteriformes - American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) at 12 collections.
  • Piciformes - Green Aracari (Pteroglossus viridis) at 5 collections.
  • Podargiformes - Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) at 10 collections.
  • Psittaciformes - Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) at 14 collections.
  • Rheiformes - Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) at 5 collections.
  • Sphenisciformes - African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) at 9 collections.
  • Strigiformes - Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) at 8 collections.
  • Struthioniformes - Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) at 13 collections.
  • Suliformes - Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) at 3 collections.
  • Tinamiformes - Elegant Crested-Tinamou (Eudromia elegans) at 1 collection.
  • Trogoniformes - Golden-headed Quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps) at 1 collection.
The Bald Eagle has surpassed the Kookaburra as my most-seen bird. Indian Peafowl join the Crested Partridge as my most-seen landfowl (thanks WCS). Sandhill Cranes tie with Blue Cranes as my most-seen cranes. Red-crested Turaco has surpassed the Violet Turaco. Scarlet Ibis have replaced the Hamerkop (something I'm surprised didn't happen at the start). Green Aracari replaced the Toco Toucan. Great Horned Owl has now secured the top owl spot.
  • Overall - American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at 22 collections.
  • Crocodylia - American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at 22 collections.
  • Squamata (Snakes) - Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) at 19 collections.
  • Squamata (Lizards) - Solomon Islands Skink (Corucia zebrata) at 13 collections.
  • Testudines - Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta) at 17 collections.
The American Alligator is now my most commonly-seen reptile (which is not surprising at all given @Coelacanth18's herping guide from last year). The Soloman Islands (or Prehensile-tailed) Skink has replaced the Komodo Dragon as my most-seen lizard, and the Pond Slider now being my most seen turtle (thanks to their prescense in native wildlife collections as well as the ubiquity of the invasive red-eared slider subspecies in northern collections).
  • Overall - Dyeing Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) at 17 collections.
  • Anura - Dyeing Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) at 17 collections.
  • Caudata - Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) at 12 collections.
  • Gymnophiona - Rubber Eel (Typhlonectes natans) at 2 collections.
The Dyeing Poison Dart Frog just barely surpassed the Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog as the most common amphibian (by +1 collection), but otherwise, no changes here other than the Hellbender doubling its lead over other salamanders.
  • Overall - Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) at 15 collections.
  • Acanthuriformes - Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) at 15 collections.
  • Acipenseriformes - Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) at 3 collections.
  • Acropomatiformes - Glassy Sweeper (Pempheris schomburgkii) at 2 collections.
  • Amiiformes - Ruddy Bowfin (Amia calva) at 5 collections.
  • Anabantiformes - Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy) at 5 collections.
  • Anguilliformes - Green Moray (Gymnothorax funebris) at 12 collections.
  • Atheriniformes - Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) at 5 collections.
  • Batrachoidiformes - Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau) at 5 collections.
  • Beloniformes - Multiple at 2 collections each.
    • Atlantic Needlefish (Strongylura marina)
    • Redfin Needlefish (Strongylura notata)
  • Beryciformes - Blackbar Soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) at 10 collections.
  • Blenniiformes - Blue-green Chromis (Chromis viridis) at 12 collections.
  • Carangiformes - Lookdown (Selene vomer) at 13 collections.
  • Centrarchiformes - Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) at 10 collections.
  • Characiformes - Multiple at 8 collections each.
    • Banded Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus)
    • Redbelly Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)
  • Cichliformes - Freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) at 5 collections.
  • Clupeiformes - Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) at 2 collections.
  • Cypriniformes - Amur Carp/Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) at 7 collections.
  • Cyprinodontiformes - Multiple at 7 collections each.
    • Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
    • Sheepshead Minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)
  • Elopiformes - Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) at 7 collections.
  • Gobiiformes - Multiple at 9 collections.
    • Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
    • Pajama Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
  • Gymnotiformes - Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus) at 4 collections.
  • Labriformes - Spanish Hogfish (Bodianus rufus) at 8 collections.
  • Lepisosteiformes - Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) at 9 collections.
  • Lophiiformes - Sargassumfish (Histrio histrio) at 2 collections.
  • Mugiliformes - White Mullet (Mugil curema) at 3 collections.
  • Osteoglossiformes - Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) at 5 collections.
  • Perciformes - Common Lionfish (Pterois volitans) at 12 collections.
  • Polypteriformes - Ornate Bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) at 2 collections.
  • Salmoniformes - Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) at 3 collections.
  • Siluriformes - Multiple at 7 collections each.
    • Redtail Catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus)
    • Ripsaw Catfish (Oxydoras niger)
  • Synbranchiformes - Fire Eel (Mastacembelus erythrotaenia) at 1 collection.
  • Syngnathiformes - Northern Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) at 12 collections.
  • Tetraodontiformes - Multiple at 8 collections each.
    • Longspined Porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus)
    • Spotted Porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix)
  • Trachichthyiformes - Japanese Pineapplefish (Monocentris japonica) at 2 collections.
The Yellow Tang has gained the top spot among all ray-finned fishes. A bunch of changes here, too many to list. One interesting change is that a pair of amazon catfishes completely replaced the native channel catfish as my most seen catfish species.

Something else that came up is that quite a few taxonomic changes with fish occurred this year. Apparently, some of the taxonomic orders I cited last time are no longer valid and instead have been merged into other orders (e.g. pikes are now under Salmoniformes, cardinalfishes are now under Gobiiformes, chromis' are now under Blenniiformes, etc.). On the same token, several new orders, like Beryciformes and Labriformes, were created from splits.
  • Overall - Multiple at 12 collections each.
    • Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera bonasus)
    • Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus)
  • Carcharhiniformes - Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) at 10 collections.
  • Heterodontiformes - Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci) at 4 collections.
  • Lamniformes - Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus) at 10 collections.
  • Myliobatiformes - Multiple at 12 collections each.
    • Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera bonasus)
    • Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus)
  • Orectolobiformes - Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) at 9 collections.
  • Rhinopristiformes - Multiple at 3 collections each.
    • Banjo Ray (Trygonorrhina fasciata)
    • Shovelnose Guitarfish (Pseudobatos productus)
The Southern Stingray gets to hold onto its title as my most-seen Elasmobranch, although they are now tied with Cownose Rays.
  • Overall - Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) at 12 collections.
  • Blattodea - Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) at 12 collections.
  • Coleoptera - Desert Ironclad Beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) at 8 collections.
  • Hemiptera - Multiple at 3 collections each.
    • Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus)
    • Whitespot Assassin Bug (Platymeris biguttatus)
  • Hymenoptera - Multiple at 3 collections each.
    • Hairy-headeLeafcutter Ant (Atta cephalotes)
    • Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) at 3 collections.
  • Lepidoptera - Monarch (Danaus plexippus) at 9 collections.
  • Mantodea - Southeast Asian Dead Leaf Mantis (Deroplatys lobata) at 2 collections.
  • Orthoptera - Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera) at 2 collections.
  • Phasmida - Multiple at 4 collections each.
    • Malayan Jungle Nymph (Heteropteryx dilatata)
    • New Guinea Spiny Stick Insect (Eurycantha calcarata)
    • Spiny Leaf insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)
Outside of a few new ties, not much movement here. No one lost their top spot.
  • Chimaeriformes - Spotted Ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) at 1 collection.
  • Ceratodontiformes - Multiple at 1 collection each.
    • Australian Lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri)
    • South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa)
    • West African Lungfish (Protopterus annectens)
Funnily enough, I saw all 3 of these species just this past year, at National Aquarium, Jenkinson's Aquarium, and Bronx Zoo, respectively.
  • Overall - Multiple at 5 collections each.
    • Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)
    • Mexican Redknee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithi)
  • Amblypygi - Common Whipspider (Damon variegatus) at 1 collection.
  • Araneae - Multiple at 5 collections each.
    • Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)
    • Mexican Redknee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithi)
  • Scorpiones - Desert Hairy Scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) - 4 collections.
  • Uropygi - Giant Vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus) - 4 collections.
The Mexican Redknee Tarantula now ties with the Goliath Birdeater as my most-seen arachnids. No other changes occurred here.
  • Overall - Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) at 9 collections.
  • Decapoda - Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) at 9 collections.
  • Isopoda - Multiple at 1 collection each.
    • Common Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare)
    • Giant Isopod (Bathynomus giganteus)
    • Swift Woodlouse (Porcellio laevis)
  • Stomatopoda - Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) at 3 collections.
  • Overall - Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) at 9 collections.
  • Polydesmida - Yellow-and-black Flat Millipede (Apheloria tigana) at 1 collection.
  • Scolopendromorpha - Pacific Giant Centipede (Scolopendra subspinipes) at 1 collection.
  • Spirobolida - American Giant Millipede (Narceus americanus) at 2 collections.
  • Spirostreptida - Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) at 4 collections.
  • Xiphosurida - Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) at 9 collections.
  • Overall - Common Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita) at 12 collections.
  • Anthozoa - Bubble-tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) at 10 colections.
  • Asteroidea - Bat Star (Patiria miniata) at 10 collections.
  • Bivalvia - Small Giant Clam (Tridacna maxima) at 2 collections.
  • Cephalopoda - Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) at 9 collections.
  • Clitellata - Common Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) at 1 collection.
  • Echinoidea - Pacific Purple Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) at 5 collections.
  • Gastropoda - Knobbed Whelk (Busycon carica) at 3 collections.
  • Holothuroidea - Giant California Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus californicus) at 2 collections.
  • Hydrozoa - Flower Hat Jelly (Olindias formosus) at 1 collection.
  • Ophiuroidea - Multiple at 1 collection each.
    • Large Brittle Star (Ophiarachna incrassata)
    • Serpent Star (Ophiura ophiura)
  • Polychaeta - Multiple at 1 collection each.
    • Caribbean Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus)
    • Indian Feather Duster Worm (Sabellastarte spectabilis)
  • Scyphozoa - Common Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita) at 12 collections.
 
Have been thinking about this question a lot while working on my captive life list. These are my numbers:

Most common...
Mammal: Tiger at 21 zoos. However, if I counted all giraffes as one (rather than separately as Masai and generic/hybrid), they would be first at 24. Besides tiger and generic/hybrid giraffe, my next highest are Lion and Ring-tailed Lemur at 19 each and Meerkat at 18.
Bird: Turkey Vulture and Bald Eagle tied at 17 each. Right behind are American Flamingo and Burrowing Owl at 16 each.
Reptile: Gila Monster at 22. American Alligator is second at 19. My most common chelonian is African Spurred Tortoise at 12 and my most common snake is - surprisingly - West African Gaboon Viper at 11.
Amphibian: Dyeing Poison Dart Frog at 13, with Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog a close second at 12.
Fish: Biased towards California natives, as most aquariums I've been to and recorded fish sightings at are in the state. California Moray tops the list at 10 and is followed by Round Stingray (Urobatis halleri) at 9, Leopard Shark and Garibaldi at 8 each, and Horn Shark at 7. The highest non-local fish is Palette Tang at 8 collections.

Chlidonias said:
It is strange at how few zoos even "common" species are seen at when counting them up.
Click to expand...

I was surprised by this too; there are lots of common animals that I apparently haven't seen much in zoo collections for whatever reason. Only seen Patagonian Mara at 6 zoos, American Bison at 4, Cottontop Tamarin and Roseate Spoonbill at 4, Red-eared Slider at 5, and Green Iguana at 4. Lot of common pet herps that I've seen plenty at stores, expos, classrooms and in people's homes but not in zoos - Corn Snake, Bearded Dragon and Leopard Gecko to name a handful, all seen on exhibit at only 1 or 2 zoos each.
 
Mammals: lion (8 holdings)
Birds: bald eagle (8 holdings)
Reptiles: American alligator (6 holdings)
Amphibians: green and black dart frog (8 holdings)
Fish: Ocellaris clownfish (6 holdings)
Insect: Madagascar hissing cockroach (4 holdings)
Arachnid: Chilean rosehair tarantula (2 holdings)
Mollusk: giant Pacific octopus (5 holdings)
Crustacean: scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (~4 holdings)
Cnidarian: bubble-tip anemone: (~6 holdings)
 
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