Gators in the pool and iguanas on the road, GTA 6's wildlife

GTA 6 will feature more than 170 animal species, according to the cover story Game Informer published on 29 September with interviews with Rockstar Games. That's over 60 types of bird, more than 30 land mammals and a healthy roster of sharks, whales, rays, turtles and jellyfish. And like the rest of Leonida, almost all of them have a Florida original: alligators that wander into pools, iguanas that park themselves in the middle of the road, even monkeys. Here's the confirmed wildlife, what we've seen so far and the real story behind each animal.

How many animals are in GTA 6?

More than 170 species, a figure that leaves GTA V far behind and gets close to Red Dead Redemption 2, the studio's most wildlife-packed game. According to Game Informer's cover story, as reported by outlets such as VICE and Pure Xbox, Rockstar has sweated every detail: iridescent feathers, translucent or bioluminescent sea creatures, unique animations for each species and simulated fur that gets wet, dirty and matted.

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Leonida's animals and their real-life Florida versions

Alligators

The kings of Leonida. The first trailer already had one being pulled out of a swimming pool and another strolling through a shop, two scenes lifted straight from viral Florida videos. And Florida isn't exaggerating: the state has more than a million alligators, and finding them on golf courses, in canals and, yes, in pools is perfectly normal. In the game, the locals of Grassrivers even bring them along on their airboats.

Iguanas

They're everywhere in the Keys: crossing roads, sunbathing on rocks or perched on someone's shoulder. In Florida they're an invasive species that has multiplied out of control, and they have a famous habit: when it gets cold they freeze up and drop out of trees, which is why Florida forecasters issue "falling iguana" warnings.

Manatees and turtles

These "sea cows" are Florida's official marine mammal and swim in the calm waters of the Keys and inland rivers. In GTA 6 they even have their own merch: Chunkee the Manatee features in the collector's edition. Underwater, you'll also be able to dive among sea turtles, just like on the real reef off the Keys.

Flamingos and pelicans

Two Florida postcards. Pelicans are part of the scenery at any pier, and flamingos have a curious story: they all but vanished from the state and have returned in recent years, some of them blown in by hurricanes. That fits another reveal from the cover story: Leonida will also get hurricanes and tropical storms.

Monkeys

One of the most surprising animals on the list is the macaque. It sounds like Rockstar taking liberties, but Florida has had wild colonies of rhesus macaques since the 1930s, descendants of monkeys released along the Silver River to attract tourists.

Deer, cougars and the wildlife of Mount Kalaga

In northern Leonida's forests there are deer and a big cat that recalls the Florida panther, an endangered cougar subspecies with only around 200 left in the wild. In one of the cover story images, Jason approaches a deer with a rifle.

Raccoons, cats and urban wildlife

Vice City has its own animals too: raccoons rummaging through the trash, stray cats and the bodega cats that are practically an institution in Miami's corner shops. And there are plenty of dogs around: petting one brings up a halo, one of the icons of the Criminal Profile.

Will there be hunting and fishing in GTA 6?

Everything points that way, though Rockstar hasn't gone into detail. Game Informer's cover story includes Jason aiming a rifle at a deer, Mount Kalaga is billed as hunting and fishing country, and official images show Jason fishing from a boat. After Red Dead Redemption 2, where hunting and fishing were a huge part of the game, it would be strange for Leonida to go without. Among the confirmed activities is also a trip to the zoo.