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Zoo Tycoon 2 DS Guide > Animals

Here is information about the different types of animal available in the game. Remember that many breeds are available only after you've researched them within a freeform zoo, or within a given stage in the game's Campaign mode. Star animals will be unlocked as you play through Campaign mode, as well.

MOOSE
Stars: 1
Cost: $1,250
Biome: Boreal Forest
Location: North America
Notes: This animal is available right from the start, and an affordable way to start building your zoo.

DRAMEDARY CAMEL
Stars: 1
Cost: $1,250
Biome: Desert
Location: Africa
Notes: Also available from the start, this is your other option if you want cheap expansion.

GREATER FLAMINGO
Stars: 1
Cost: $2,000
Biome: Wetlands
Location: Africa
Notes: These guys cost more to create, but they are satisfied with minimal requirements. Just place wetlands soil around the cage and they'll be almost completely delighted with their biome.

ZEBRA
Stars: 1
Cost: $3,000
Biome: Savannah
Location: Africa
Notes: Zebras look cool but cost more. That's okay if you're trying to build an exhibit that will draw in the customers, though.

NILE CROCODILE
Stars: 1
Cost: $3,000
Biome: Wetlands
Location: Africa
Notes: Available right from the start, but probably not the best choice for a cheap cage or a quick audience.

GALAPAGOS GIANT TORTOISE
Stars: 1
Cost: $3,000
Biome: Scrub
Location: Galapagos Islands
Notes: Another animal that's available from the start and pricier than many of his peers.

RED KANGAROO
Stars: 1
Cost: $3,000
Biome: Scrub
Location: Australia
Notes: It could be just my imagination, but the red kangaroos seem to draw crowds pretty easily and to produce offspring quickly, so they make a good choice if you're ready to spend $3,000 a head.

OSTRICH
Stars: 1
Cost: $5,500
Biome: Savannah
Location: Africa
Notes: The last of the animals that you can place in a cage right as you are starting a new stage.

GIANT SABLE ANTELOPE
Stars: 2
Cost: $5,500
Biome: Savannah
Location: Africa
Notes: You have to reach three stars for your zoo level to use this creature. No research is required.

KAMODO DRAGON
Stars: 2
Cost: $5,500
Biome: Scrub
Location: Asia
Notes: You can place this creature once your zoo reaches three stars, without any research.

CHEETAH
Stars: 2
Cost: $7,500
Biome: Savannah
Location: Africa
Notes: once your zoo reaches the 3-star level, the cheetah is a good purchase... if you don't mind spending $7,500 a head!

MASAI GIRAFFE
Stars: 2
Cost: $7,500
Biome: Savannah
Location: Africa
Notes: The giraffe is fairly easy to keep satisfied once you reach a 3-star zoo level and it becomes available, but the cheetah might be the way to go instead for cheap thrills.

PYGMY HIPPO
Stars: 3
Cost: $7,500
Biome: Wetlands
Location: Africa
Notes: You can't select this creature until you've researched animals one time.

LION
Stars: 3
Cost: $7,500
Biome: Savannah
Location: Africa
Notes: The lion is a really good animal to have, but you have to research before he'll be available for use in a given stage.

GRAY WOLF
Stars: 3
Cost: $7,500
Biome: Boreal Forest
Location: North America
Notes: The gray wolf is a crowd pleaser but not available until you've done some research.

CALIFORNIA SEA LION
Stars: 3
Cost: $5,000
Biome: Salt Water
Location: North America
Notes: You'll want an aquatic area if you plan to place this creature, and that also means it's a good idea to have a marine trainer in your staff.

POLAR BEAR
Stars: 4
Cost: $10,000
Biome: Tundra
Location: North Pole
Notes: Reach a 4-star zoo level and research animals twice to obtain this beast.

BLACK RHINO
Stars: 4
Cost: $10,000
Biome: Savannah
Location: Africa
Notes: The black rhino is an endangered species and useful if you plan to raise babies with an animal at about this price range, but you'll have to reach 4-star status and also research animals twice to make it available.

BLACK PANTHER
Stars: 4
Cost: $10,000
Biome: Tropical Rainforest
Location: Asia
Notes: This is another good investment if you're looking to impress visitors with a rare animal, but again: you have to research animals twice and reach the 4-star level.

WOLVERINE
Stars: 4
Cost: $10,000
Biome: Boreal Forest
Location: Asia
Notes: I went through the campaign and even freeform zoos my first time without even using this creature, so it's hard to say that there are any particular benefits unless you're looking to add variety (always a good thing, of course).

CHIMPANZEE
Stars: 5
Cost: $15,000
Biome: Tropical Rainforest
Location: Africa
Notes: You'll need to research animals completely and also reach the 5-star zoo level for this animal.

GRIZZLY BEAR
Stars: 5
Cost: $15,000
Biome: Boreal Forest
Location: North America
Notes: This is another creature that requires a 5-star zoo and full research of the various animal species.

SPANISH LYNX
Stars: 5
Cost: $15,000
Biome: Temperate Forest
Location: Worldwide
Notes: Extensive animal reseach and a 5-star zoo are requirements if you want to place this animal.

DOLPHIN
Stars: 5
Cost: $6,000
Biome: Salt Water
Location: Worldwide
Notes: The dolphin is required for the dolphin show, of course. Develop a 5-star zoo and then build a marine-style exhibit for your dolphin. You'll want a marine trainer instead of a standard zookeeper in the tank. Once you have a dolphin, you can run a dolphin show by researching buildings and your workers to high levels, then building a grandstand next to the dolphin exhibit. Tap on the dolphin to enter zookeeper mode, then tap on the icon of the dolphin and from there tap the icon in the upper left corner of the screen to begin the show.

AFRICAN ELEPHANT
Stars: 5
Cost: $20,000
Biome: Savannah
Location: Africa
Notes: Big and expensive, the elephant is a tough sell unless you're playing a campaign area that requires his presence. If that's the case, you'll need a 5-star zoo and plenty of animal research.

ORANGUTAN
Stars: 5
Cost: $35,000
Biome: Tropical Rainforest
Location: Australia
Notes: The last of the 'regular' animals requires 5 stars, plenty of animal research and an investment of $35,000. That's all rather hard to justify until you have a lot of money.

EMPEROR PENGUIN
Stars: 1
Cost: $2,000
Biome: Tundra
Location: Antarctica
Notes: The final stage within the second group of campaign stages must be completed in order to access the penguin.

SEA OTTER
Stars: 2
Cost: $6,500
Biome: Salt Water
Location: North America
Notes: You'll only be able to select the sea otter after completing the second stage within the 3rd set of campaign stages.

KOALA
Stars: 2
Cost: $7,500
Biome: Temperate Forest
Location: Australia
Notes: The koala is unlocked when you complete the third stage within the 3rd set of campaign stages.

AMERICAN BEAVER
Stars: 3
Cost: $10,000
Biome: Wetlands
Location: North America
Notes: You can select the American beaver only after completing the second stage within the 4th set of campaign stages.

MOUNTAIN GORILLA
Stars: 4
Cost: $20,000
Biome: Tropical Rainforest
Location: Africa
Notes: Complete the third stage within the 4th set of campaign stages to receive the mountain gorilla.

GIANT PANDA
Stars: 5
Cost: $50,000
Biome: Temperate Forest
Location: China
Notes: When you complete the first stage within the 5th set of campaign stages, you'll receive the giant panda as a reward.

SABER-TOOTHED TIGER
Stars: 6
Cost: $40,000
Biome: Tundra
Location: Worldwide
Notes: Make sure that you have 20 animals in your zoo at once that have a happiness level of 80% or better to receive the 'Gold Certificate for Exceptional Animal Happiness' award. The saber-toothed tiger will become available once you receive the award.

UNICORN
Stars: 6
Cost: $50,000
Biome: Alpine
Location: Worldwide
Notes: If you build 10 exhibits, each with a different species inside, you'll receive the 'Gold Plaque for Exceptional Animal Diversity' award and the unicorn will become selectable as a creature to place in your exhibit.

YETI
Stars: 6
Cost: $55,000
Biome: Tundra
Location: Worldwide
Notes: Earn a 6-star zoo rating with 3,000 or more guests and you'll receive the 'Gold Director's Cup for Outstanding Zoo Popularity' with the yeti as a bonus prize.

TRICERATOPS
Stars: 6
Cost: $60,000
Biome: Boreal Forest
Location: Worldwide
Notes: You'll need the 'Golden Exhibit Award for Outstanding Exhibit Design' award to unlock this animal, gained by designing 6 exhibits with 4 or more stars popularity ranking.

NEXT: Awards