We did lemuriformes, and tarsiers have been moved to old-world monkeys so they will be discussed.
For the sake of simplification they will be, although they are different groups altogether.
Analyzing required animals by Taxonomical group
Wait im confused. Can we already talk about those ones?
No, the ongoing discussion is fowls/monitor lizards/arthropods.
I wrote these groups just to make sure I didn't miss any major group.
K all good. Will loris and bushababy and such also just be in the old monkey discussion. Because I feel like it's a bit much for one subject then. Considering I bet something like baboons and relatives could get their own talk entirely.
They have already been as part of the lemuriformes. You can see the results in the main post.
Discussion #14: Pelecaniformes*, Storks*, Iguania (iguanas and relatives), Gastropoda (snails and slugs)
What we have:
Pelecaniformes* (pelicans, ibises and relatives):
None
Storks*:
None
Iguania (iguanas, chameleons, agamids, anoles...) :
Gastropods (snails and slugs):
Explain what you think is still needed from the aforementioned groups, and give your reasoning as to why. Take into account that slots in the roster are not unlimited, so try to keep the discussion realistic.
*new aviary rule: until aviaries arrive, aviary animals can't be included. if there's any doubt your candidate can be a habitat animal you need to provide an example of the animal being kept in a open habitat.
What we have:
Pelecaniformes* (pelicans, ibises and relatives):
None
Storks*:
None
Iguania (iguanas, chameleons, agamids, anoles...) :
- Green iguana
- Lesser antillean iguana
Gastropods (snails and slugs):
- Giant tiger land snail
Explain what you think is still needed from the aforementioned groups, and give your reasoning as to why. Take into account that slots in the roster are not unlimited, so try to keep the discussion realistic.
*new aviary rule: until aviaries arrive, aviary animals can't be included. if there's any doubt your candidate can be a habitat animal you need to provide an example of the animal being kept in a open habitat.
Sorry for the delay, but I just thought of two: ground hornbills and the secretary bird. Maybe you could make an other birds category?
It's actually already planned. The final discussion is "oddballs", and I'll expand upon it when we get there. But fir nkw what is your opinion on the current groups?
Pelecaniformes
Yeah, we need one pelican for sure. Any species at this point will satisfy. They are great for coastal themed areas and would pair up nicely with the sea lions and seals. Honorable mentions are:
Storks
Similar to the above, I've only seen them in enclosed areas. The shoebill (that's a stork, right?) is the only one I'd mention
Iguania
For iguanas I'm ok. But I would like some anole lizards. I just forget the names. Chameleons? Uh, yes. I'd choose the following:
Gastropods
I'm ok without any more
Yeah, we need one pelican for sure. Any species at this point will satisfy. They are great for coastal themed areas and would pair up nicely with the sea lions and seals. Honorable mentions are:
- Scarlet ibis - my choice for a beautiful red-orange bird and South America rep
- Roseate spoonbills - same a above, but pink and North America
Storks
Similar to the above, I've only seen them in enclosed areas. The shoebill (that's a stork, right?) is the only one I'd mention
Iguania
For iguanas I'm ok. But I would like some anole lizards. I just forget the names. Chameleons? Uh, yes. I'd choose the following:
- Panther chameleon - my favorite one and the best color changing lizard
- Jackson's chameleon - a cool, dinosaur-like chameleon
- Veiled chameleon - very common in captivity
Gastropods
I'm ok without any more
The shoebill is actually a pelecaniform. The marabou stork however is a stork that is often kept in open enclosures.
Pelecaniformes:
We need atleast one pelican, preferably the great white pelican, rosate spoonbills and either scarlet or african sacred ibis are also something that id enjoy, although these are mostly aviary species but they should work as habitat birds in PZ. The Shoebill is also pretty high on my pesonal wishlist so yeah.
Storks: White storks and marabous for me please. Both are super common and iconic birds though the white stork is more of a ambience animal than an actual zoo species
Iguania: If we get more standard exhibit we absolutely need a chameleon, panther and veiled chameleons are the most common by far and the species that to best in captivity. Bearded dragons are one of the most common and well know lizards out there aswell as super calm so absolutely qualified for children zoos.
As for actuall iguanas: Im fine with the two we got and would prefer them to be able to be habitat animals over new ones.
Snails: I think were pretty good with the one snail we have
And what about bustards and ground hornbills and Secretary bird?
I consider all spieces listed below as essential:
Pelicans and storks:
1. Great White Pelican - largest and beautifully colored, represents 3 continents
2. Shoebill - my most wanted bird
3. Marabou stork or Great adjunct - any of those two would greatly enchance savanna exibits
4. Saddle billed stork - amazing long legged stork that would greatly improve wetlands exibits
5. Scarlet ibis - this splash of color is what we need
6. Any spoonbill - just amazing birds with freaky bills
7. Sacred ibis - it’s to iconic not to be in the game.
But also:
1. Great bustard - amazing Euro Asian representation and the heaviest flying bird
2. Ground hornbill - is often kept with hoofstock, have beautiful lashes
3. Secretary bird - great in every aspect
Lizards:
1. Plumed basilisk - this lizard walks on water, I mean come on
2. Frilled necked lizard - my favorite lizard and Australia iconic representation
3. Jackson’s chameleon - great three horned chameleon and the most amazing one in my opinion.
4. Rhinoceros iguana - would love to get them as the habitat animals but exibit would also be nice. Very different from other iguanas and endangered.
5. Leopard gecko - most popular pet lizard in the world with dozens color morphs
Gastropods:
1. Banana slug - beautiful and very different from what we already have
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Pelicans are easy since they are more subjected to pinioning than their relatives, the other pelicaniformes which are usually kept in closed top aviaries (including the much requested shoebill). I narrowed down to the following four species with their respective reasons. Either one of these is enough.
Great white: Iconic species with an impressive size
Dalmatian: Great European and Asian representative.
Brown: Small species with distinguishable characteristics.
Australian: self explanatory. More Australian species is always welcome.
I am prepared for a long winding argument about whether or not ibis and spoonbills are aviary animals or not (they are.)
For storks I will advocate for the white stork and marabou. The white stork is an animal relevant in our culture and is a great European representative. The marabou is an animal that is frequently associated with the African savanna and wetlands. I am aware that there may be other species kept in open top aviaries but I consider these two the most predominant in open top enclosures. Either would be great. Both at the same time aren’t necessary but would be nice.
For iguanas the following aren’t necessary but would be great: rhinoceros iguanas, mexican spiny tail iguana, and common chuckwalla. Either of the former two are needed to diversify the in game iguanas. I ask for Chuckwalla due to personal biases. Other essential members of Iguania include chameleons, which I find ridiculous we still do not have any species of this iconic taxa yet. Either panther or veiled chameleon is okay due to their greater relevance compared to other chameleons. I also argue that we need a species of agamid, but due to the great diversity of this taxa (and bc I am out rn) i would be having a hard time narrowing down species of agamids we need. I just think we need one (I will edit this part when I have the time.)
Edit: now that I am home I can list wich Agamids would be necessary. One or two species from the clades I list would be okay:
Frilled lizard: Iconic Australian species. while we may have enough habitat species (especially once we have the echidna and the Tassie), we still need a proper representation of Australian species with regards to exhibit animals. I know we have multiple species but it sort of feels awkward without "basic" species such as frilled lizard and bearded dragon.
Sailfin dragon: A lizard with am impressive shape and looks. While not australian, it would deffinitely add up to the Oceanean roster.
Bearded dreagon: Same reason as frilled lizard.
Any species of Uromastyx: While not too iconic amongst the average Joe, these lizards are a reat representation for North Afrca and the Middle East. This family comes in many different colors.
I am not too well versed with snails in captivity but I think a giant land snail is good enough. If we do have more slots, then partula snails would be a great addition due to their conservation story.
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If ibises some how become habitat animals over a handful of examples then so should birds of prey. And I don’t just mean unreleasable eagles and owls. I also mean vultures that are intentionally deflighted by being pinioned, which there is a handful of in the US accredited zoos.
Pelecaniformes: Pelican, Roseate Spoonbill, and maybe the Scarlet Ibis are essential. There are a few other good options, the shoebill stork being the most popular.
- Spoonbills:
- Roseate Spoonbill: iconic and colorful bird with a range well into South America as well as the Caribbean, I've usually seen them indoors, but they could work as a habitat bird. (I think they are outside in Fort Worth Zoo)
- Others if they somehow end up in an exhibit: Eurasian and royal
- Ibises: The scarlet ibis is essential, but it might be a WE/aviary animal with a few other ibises. (I can't find one in a zoo, but they are popular on the essential habitat animal wishlists)
- Scarlet Ibis: another iconic and bright red bird for South/Central America. I constantly flip between it and the spoonbill as the best SA bird. I like the color of this one, but the spoonbill has the larger range. Only one is really essential, but both would be great, too
- Others if it comes in an aviary/WE: sacred ibis, bald ibis, black faced ibis, Madagascar ibis
- Pelicans: a pelican is needed, but I don't care which. Some choices include
- Great White Pelican: good for Europe, Africa, and Asia
- Australian Pelican: I think Oceania will get enough birds with the blue penguin and the black swan, but the pelican is also an option
- Brown Pelican: NA, Northern SA, and Central America. I like the colors (Smithsonian)
- Peruvian Pelican: SA west coast bird. the most colorful pelican
- Herons: Great egret is a strong choice
- Great Egret: found in both Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia (Animal Kingdom roaming)
- Great Blue Heron: I like this bird, but it is not essential (Animal Kingdom roaming)
- Shoebill Stork (it's in this group): not very common in zoos, a little creepy but interesting, very popular on the forum. It's a strong choice but not one I personally see as essential. (IDK, never seen one)
great white pelican, Australian pelican, brown pelican, Peruvian pelican
Storks: Nothing essential here, but some good choices
- Painted Stork: colorful SEA stork ( I saw pictures in Delhi Zoo, might be wild)
- Saddle-billed stork: potential African bird, but I'd prefer others (Maryland Zoo outdoors)
- White Stork: a choice for a European bird (IDK, probably in Europe)
- Jabiru: potential SA bird (I saw pictures of them outdoors in SA zoos, not sure if they are a habitat animal)
- Marabou Stork: kind of iconic for Africa, but not essential (brevard Zoo)
Iguania: I think all of them should probably be exhibit animals. A chameleon, thorny devil, and frilled lizard are essential. The pink iguana, sailfin dragon, gliding lizard, and horned lizard are also really cool. The red-headed agama would be an iconic safari lizard. I'm starting to be interested in a reptile house pack.
- Chameleon:
- Panther Chameleon: colorful
- Parson's Chameleon: bigger alternative or addition to the Panther
- Agamidae:
- Thorny Devil: not common in zoos but extremely cool and popular Australian lizard
- Frilled Lizard: iconic Australian lizard
- Red-Headed Agama: iconic African safari lizard
- Sulawesi gliding lizard: they fly
- Philippine giant sailfin dragon: really scary but cool lizard
- Spiny Tailed Lizard: African lizard
- Pleurodonta:
- Anole: There are so many subspecies. One might be nice
- Horned Lizard: kind of cool lizard for Americas, but we don't really need more lizards
- Marine Iguana: not in zoos, but popular as a habitat animal? I'm really not sure about this one
- Galapagos Pink Iguana: a pink exhibit animal would be fun
gliding lizard, sailfin lizard, spiny-tailed lizard, anole, horned lizard, Galapagos pink iguana
Gastropoda: Nothing, please.
Edited to add zoos
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We absolutely need a pelican, ideally the great white pelican for its large distribution area.
Then we need a white stork, again for its big range and for being such an iconic bird with so much importance in (European) culture. The marabou is another iconic stork that would be very welcome in the game.
The chameleon is the most wanted exhibit animal and is long overdue. Any species would be great, but I have a preference for Panther, Yemen or Mediterranean chameleon
The Philippines sailfin lizard could be a great addition for Asia, which is lacking in exhibit animals. The frilled necked lizard from Australia is also an interesting option. I'm not sure if it belongs to this discussion, but tuatara is also good.
I don't need more iguanas, snails or any slugs.
Since they keep coming up, do you have examples of storks other than the marabou being kept in open habitats?
Also, I'm surprised to see so little votes for the shoebill and hammerkop.
Similar to eagles in the US there are many white storks in Europe that end up being unreleasable in Europe and the rest of its native range.
Here’s an open top enclosure for white storks from Turkey.
Storks - ZooChat
www.zoochat.com
Copenhagen zoo has white storks in an open enclosure in the African section. I don't have pics because my computer is still broken.
Madrid zoo is full of them, but there they are wild animals that nest in the park's trees. Does it count? Haha
Animal kingdom in Disney had a bunch of great egrets (I think?) running around. I think I've seen Marabou storks with clipped wings. I'm not sure about the others. Most of them seem to be primarily kept indoors. I think wild storks tend to roam the zoos of their native range. A lot of the birds I've listed would probably work better as habitat animals because they spend so much time wading or walking on the ground. Some type of perching enrichment item might be useful. I'm sure all of the people who are really focused on realism will build a cage around their enclosures, especially for the spoonbills and ibises.
Edited to add: I found some outdoors in zoos. The only one I'm struggling with is the scarlet ibis, but it's so popular on the wishlists that I'd feel weird leaving it out.
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