In Tagalog, zoo animals are often referred to as mga hayop sa gubat — literally “animals of the forest.” While not all zoo animals live in forests, this is the common Tagalog phrase used when talking about wild animals you might see in a zoo.
In this post, you’ll learn useful Tagalog vocabulary related to zoo animals, along with simple example sentences to help you understand how each word is used.
Zoo Animal Vocabulary Words in Tagalog
Here are common zoo animals and their Tagalog names:
Mga hayop sa gubat – wild zoo animals
Elepante – elephant
Unggoy – monkey
Ahas – snake
Pagong – turtle
Lobo – wolf
Hunyango – chameleon
Kobra – cobra
Buwaya – crocodile
Tuko – gecko
Gorilya – gorilla
Butiki – lizard
Tigre – tiger
Leon – lion
Dolpin – dolphin
Balyena – whale
Sawa – python
Oso – bear
Soro – fox
Usa – deer
These are the names most Filipinos use when referring to zoo animals, whether in school, in books, or during a family trip to the zoo.
Example Sentences Using Zoo Animal Vocabulary
Below are natural, everyday sentences showing how these animal names are used in Tagalog.
The grizzly bear has brown fur.
Ang oso ay may kayumangging balahibo.
Crocodiles don’t chew their food.
Ang buwaya ay hindi nginunguya ang kanyang pagkain.
The elephant is the largest living land animal.
Ang elepante ang pinakamalaking hayop sa lupa.
The lion is the king of the jungle.
Ang leon ang hari ng kagubatan.
The baby monkey clung to its mother.
Ang sanggol na unggoy ay nakakapit sa kanyang ina.
A tiger likes to eat fresh meat.
Ang tigre ay mahilig kumain ng sariwang karne.
A turtle walks slow.
Ang pagong ay mabagal maglakad.
A deer is a gentle animal.
Ang usa ay isang maamong hayop.
A chameleon can change its color.
Ang hunyango ay nag-iiba ng kulay.
A wolf is a wild animal.
Ang lobo ay isang mabangis na hayop.
More Example Sentences
The gecko makes a loud sound at night.
Ang tuko ay maingay tuwing gabi.
The whale is a giant sea creature.
Ang balyena ay isang napakalaking nilalang sa dagat.
The fox is known for being clever.
Ang soro ay kilala sa pagiging tuso.
The python wrapped itself around the tree.
Ang sawa ay pumulupot sa puno.
The gorilla is very strong.
Ang gorilya ay napakalakas.
The lizard climbed up the wall.
Ang butiki ay umakyat sa pader.
Why Learning Zoo Animal Names in Tagalog Helps
Learning the names of zoo animals in Tagalog is a fun way to build vocabulary — especially for kids or beginners. These words often appear in:
- children’s books
- school lessons
- zoo trips
- Filipino stories and fables
- everyday conversations about animals
Because many of these animals are familiar worldwide, they’re easy to remember and great for early Tagalog practice.
Final Thoughts
Zoo animals — or mga hayop sa gubat — are a great starting point for anyone learning Tagalog. The words are simple, the examples are easy to use, and the topic is something both kids and adults enjoy.
If you’re teaching Tagalog at home, you can turn this list into:
- flashcards
- worksheets
- picture‑and‑word matching games
- pronunciation practice
- storytelling activities
Learning a language becomes more fun when the topic is something exciting, and zoo animals are always a hit.