After reading the discussion on takin and markhor sizes in the game, I conducted my own tests to identify any potential issues.
As with all my model size tests, I checked the accuracy of the following for both the takin and markhor:
- The size data used for each species.
- The measurement type and its application.
- Whether the listed sizes accurately translate onto the model.
In the game, both species use standing shoulder height data to scale their models. Adult takins have a standing shoulder height range of 1.05 to 1.40 m, from the smallest females to the largest males. The markhor, being a species that uses the goat mountain, does not have size variation—all males and females are the same size, with shoulder heights of 1.05 m and 0.8 m, respectively.
Taking real-life measurements of the takin and markhor into consideration, the size data itself does not seem problematic: the markhor is of average size, while the takin is on the larger side, excluding the smallest individuals.
[1][2] This may be intentional for one of two reasons: since the in-game takin represents the Sichuan subspecies, the developers may have excluded the smallest 15-20% of the size range, attributing these to other subspecies; or they may have intended to avoid smaller specimens to prevent community complaints about model size.
Next, I checked whether the measurement type is accurately applied in the game—that is, whether the size data is correctly implemented on the model and if measurements are taken from appropriate points to avoid discrepancies like those seen with the two giant tortoises. My tests showed no issues here. The male markhor and the smallest female takins, both standing at approximately 1.05 m shoulder height, appear
slightly taller than the 1 m high wall pieces in the game, as shown in the hyperlinked text. The largest male takins, standing at 1.4 m,
reach just below the 1.5 m high wall pieces.
I also verified that takins with different size genes accurately reflect their listed heights in the genetics tab for each tested animal, so there doesn’t appear to be a data-to-model translation issue either.
Unless there is a proportion issue with the takin model itself, which would require a model fix rather than a size adjustment, the sizes of both the takin and markhor seem accurate in the game. The perceived size discrepancy could be due to the following factors:
- Since the markhor lacks size variation, all individuals are above a certain threshold, with no smaller individuals.
- Many of the game’s “big-ticket” animals (e.g., tigers, lions, hippos, giraffes, larger bears) are oversized or on the larger side due to size data or measurement type issues, which can make other animals appear smaller by comparison.
- Since human models are highly stylized and appear bulkier, animals may look smaller relative to humans, despite standard human height.
- Some base game objects, like fruits, are oversized and not properly scaled, which can also make animals appear smaller.
- Juveniles of certain animals, like timber wolves and tigers, appear larger than their depicted age/stage, which can distort perceived sizes.
- Comparing a smaller-size gene takin with a smaller-size gene markhor may also skew size perception, as the markhor model doesn’t have size variation.
These are the potential explanations I came up with, as I couldn’t pinpoint any morphometric issues with the animals in the game beyond the speculated proportional discrepancy in the takin model. Usually, size issues in Planet Zoo are fairly straightforward to identify, but this one proved more challenging.
I’m also attaching a comparison picture of the largest male takin against a male markhor. Let me know if you still think the takin looks smaller than it should or if the markhor appears too large.
View attachment 406283
Also a bird’s-eye view of the male and female markhors alongside the largest male takin for a comparison of bulk.
View attachment 406294
. Joking aside I too hope for the takin to be fixed.
