GTA 6 features the largest collection of wildlife in any Grand Theft Auto game, with over 170 animal species spanning mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and much more. With such a diverse range of fauna across Leonida, Rockstar isn’t just adding animals to the world for decoration. Players can actively study wildlife and keep track of the animals they discover.
Studying Animals in GTA 6
Similar to Red Dead Redemption 2, Jason and Lucia can study animals in GTA 6. This was first shown in the Extended Look, where Jason had the option to study a dog alongside the ability to pet or scold it.
In an interview with IGN, Rockstar North’s head of development and co-studio head Rob Nelson confirmed that the mechanic serves as a collection system, allowing players to learn more about the wildlife they encounter.
“Yeah, you can study animals as a collection sort of thing,” Nelson explained. He also confirmed that the feature carries over from Red Dead Redemption 2.
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Just like in Rockstar’s previous game, studying animals gives players another way to interact with wildlife beyond hunting it. Nelson also explained that the mechanic offers a way of engaging with nature “without necessarily having to shoot it all.”
This is particularly welcome given the sheer variety of wildlife in GTA 6. Rather than simply passing by animals while exploring Leonida, players have an incentive to stop, observe, and study the creatures they encounter.
Does GTA 6 Have an Animal Compendium?
While Rockstar hasn’t detailed every aspect of the interface or progression system, Nelson’s comments confirm that studying animals contributes to a collection. This suggests players will be able to keep track of the species they discover throughout Leonida.
Red Dead Redemption 2 featured a detailed compendium that recorded information about animals, including their habitats and other characteristics. GTA 6 appears to build on that foundation, although Rockstar hasn’t confirmed whether every aspect of RDR2’s compendium will return.
It’s also unclear whether discovering every animal will be required for 100% completion or whether the game will offer rewards for completing the collection. Those details will have to wait until Rockstar shares more information.
Studying animals was one of my favorite parts of Red Dead Redemption 2. There’s something engrossing and almost meditative about slowing down, observing wildlife, and filling out the compendium while exploring the world. It’s an excellent way to appreciate the attention to detail that goes into Rockstar’s open worlds.
GTA 6 looks set to offer a similar experience, with over 170 animal species spread across Leonida’s varied environments. In its coverage of the game, Game Informer highlighted Rockstar’s efforts to recreate Florida’s native and invasive species, including flamingos, manatees, pelicans, alligators, green iguanas, and rhesus macaque monkeys.
Rockstar is also building on its work from the Red Dead Redemption series. Game Informer’s coverage highlighted the attention given to wildlife rendering, alongside improvements to hair and fur systems that help animals look more convincing.
We’ve already seen numerous species in trailers, screenshots, and the Extended Look, ranging from alligators and flamingos to cougars, feral cats, and manatees. These animals help make Leonida feel like a living ecosystem rather than a backdrop for missions and criminal activities.
Can You Study Animals at the Zoo in GTA 6?
Players will also be able to visit a zoo in GTA 6, giving Jason and Lucia another place to encounter and study wildlife. Like animals found in the wild, zoo animals can be added to the game’s wildlife checklist, giving players another reason to explore Leonida and discover its diverse fauna.
The zoo could also provide an opportunity to study species that players might not otherwise encounter during their travels. With over 170 animal species in GTA 6, it’ll be interesting to see how many of them can be found at the zoo and how the animal collection system tracks each discovery.
With so much wildlife to discover across Leonida, studying animals gives players another reason to slow down and appreciate their surroundings. Whether you’re observing an alligator in the swamps, spotting birds along the coast, or visiting the zoo, GTA 6 looks set to make its wildlife an integral part of the experience rather than just another detail in the background.
About the author
Ali Hashmi has been playing Grand Theft Auto since the original game and has followed Rockstar Games ever since. Whether it's replaying GTA 4 for the tenth time, getting lost in Red Dead Redemption 2, or revisiting classics like Manhunt, L.A. Noire, Max Payne 3, and even Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis, he's always found something to appreciate in the studio's catalog. With more than eight years of games journalism experience, he now covers GTA 6 for GTA 6 Bible, writing news, guides, features, and retrospective pieces about Rockstar's games. His work has also appeared on Prima Games, Dot Esports, WhatIfGaming, GameTyrant, and The OuterHaven.
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