^I've also seen a couple scorpions, but they were outside.
I don't really see why they have to be rare. I'll treat this like a "most interesting animal encounters". I think that'd make a much better topic, as rare ones will also be included, and many of us haven't seen too many rare animals because they're, well, rare.
Although, nothing ever comes near town here, the only things you'll probably find are roaches, ants, bees, flys, and domesticated ones. I've almost stepped on a snake in the middle of my neighborhood before, though that's the only wild creature that'll ever come to town(they almost never do though). I also saw a squirrel right outside the public library here. I know, they aren't rare in most places, but I didn't even know they lived here. My little sister didn't believe me.
I've gone to Out of Africa before. Giraffes aren't rare, but I did get to feed one a carrot. While there, I also got an up close look at a living cobra, and got to pet a few large constrictors. Along with that, I saw Siberian tigers playing with some balls, and I got to see a white tiger from a distance.
A went to a predator-based aquarium in Las Vegas(can't remember what it was called). It did have a few land animals though. I saw a Komodo Dragon there, piranha, and multiple species of shark.
Oh, and I saw a Pikachu once.