SECRET Animals at Animal Kingdom You’ve Probably Never Seen

Animal Kingdom is home to some of the world’s most majestic animals. From the Giraffes that occasionally pop their head into a Safari vehicle to the majestic Lions ruling the Savannah from their rocky thrones, you’ll see animals you instantly recognize here. Did you know, though, that there are some secret animals at Animal Kingdom? These animals aren’t on the beaten path and often overlooked by guests but are every bit as photo-worthy as the Elephants and hippos that we so often come to snap pics of! 

Related: Lions Caught Participating in the ‘Circleof Life’ 

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KANGAROOS 

Did you know that Animal Kingdom was home to kangaroos? I didn’t either until my last trip when I just happened upon them randomly! Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to not one but two species of kangaroos!  They have four Western Gray kangas and two Red (you can tell the difference by looking for a white strip on their face- that’s the Western Red). The Kangaroos live on Discovery Island. To find them, turn left at the Tree of Life photo area, and you’ll see the kangaroos to your right.

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AMERICAN CROCODILE 

No, we don’t mean alligators. American Crocodiles are endangered. There are fewer than 1,000 left in the wild. They predominantly live in the Caribbean but can be found as far north as Southern Florida. You can distinguish them from alligators by their snout: crocs have a long narrow snout, and alligators have a broad U-shaped snout. At Animal Kingdom, you’ll find the Crocodiles in Dinoland. You’ll have to look carefully, though. If you don’t catch them when they’re sunning themselves,  you’ll have a hard time spotting them. 

Related: Dinoland’s Back Story Proves It’s Not Actually the Worst

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OTTERS  

Ok. These adorable creatures aren’t exactly secret or hidden, but they are often overlooked. Discovery Island is a treasure trove of, well…discovery, but there aren’t any rides and only one attraction (It’s Tough to be a Bug) that you either love or hate. Because of this, most people rush right on past this area on their way to Animal Kingdom’s headliner attractions. There are so many hidden gems here, like the Otter Grotto,  though, that it’s worth exploring! 

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SOUTHERN GIANT ANTEATER 

The Oasis is an area that is even more overlooked than Discovery Island. It’s so overlooked you may not even know where it is. It’s that area just after the park’s entrance. Most people only spend time there if they need Guest Services. You’ll find absolutely gorgeous trails and exotic birds here, making it worth exploring. You’ll also find the Southern Giant Anteater! These remarkable animals are nearly blind, so they use their long snouts to smell their way around! 

Related: Animal Kingdom is Not a Half Day Park, Guests Are Just Missing Half the Attractions

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KUNEKUNE PIGS

How adorable are these cuties? These hairy cuddly-worthy pigs are native to Asia and New Zealand and are actually the smallest known breed of pig. The best part about a visit to the KuneKune pigs at Animal Kingdom? You actually get to interact with them! You’ll find them in the Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch! You’ll also find a variety of other unique but domesticated animals here, like the Nigerian Dwarf Goat! 

With so many animals to discover at Animal Kingdom, you could easily spend a whole day here just exploring the animal habitats! You never know what you’ll find! With so many animal habitats, it’s easy to see why many people confuse the park as a zoo,” but as Disney’s original catchphrase for the Park, “Natazu,” proves, it’s so much more than that!