I missed the animal specific threads in this sections we used to have for the likes of Wolverines, Echidnas, Hyraxes..etc. Now imagine my surprise when I searched the titles in this forum and I found out we don't have one for Sea Otters?! That must be remedied. It's 4 in the morning over here, but I cannot sleep, so I'm gonna transform my insomnia into pure propaganda.
We already have two otters in the game, that's a fact, but I believe Sea Otter brings enough novelty to warrant its own inclusion.
First and foremost it looks different enough from the ones we have. Bulky build and distinctive white head already makes it stand out among the equals.
Second thing is set of unique behavior it could bring into the game. For the base just the iconic floating on the back. Building from that we can have them eating on their back (hey maybe we can get urchin, crab, mussels feeders), carrying their young (I know some other animals were shafted in this department, but it can be one time short animations like with pouches) and holding hands while asleep, with other adult otters (which would be adorable selling footage).
While we're still on behavior and animations, new enrichment potential opens up, as they're dynamic and lively animals. We know Frontier likes to hook onto memes and media recognizability, there's plenty of viral videos of otters stacking plastic cups and slam dunking basketballs. And interestingly enough both videos bellow are from Oregon and Point Defiance zoos respectively, rather than from dedicated Aquariums:
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wavh47RpLz4
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDvT-UlULCc
Continuing from my former point, Sea Otters aren't unheard of in zoos. I've heard several times how Sea Otters aren't really zoo animals, and are more fit for Aquarium game. And that is statistically true. However. From what I've gathered from ZooTierliste, Sea Otters are present in 25 facilities. While most of those are Aquariums I counted five zoos, which is more than some species already present in the game. So for realism sake, it's doable. And for those who don't bother with realism, I don't have to convince you on this point.
Next, the biome. Not only it would be our first otter that can live in cold weather (both otters we have are tropical) but would also be another marine animal. I think most people here agree that we need more on that front, and while it wouldn't be the Sea Turtle, Shark or a Dolphin, it's a step in right direction. I think it would greatly benefit to break pinniped-penguin (the only marine animals we have so far) cycle in marine sections. On top of that, or rather hand in hand with that, the biome could warrant inclusion of some underwater decorations and plants in free update. After all if JWE can have their kelp, why can't we?
Further, Sea Otters are excellent inclusion for education and conservation purposes. They're endangered, yet their unique lifestyle is essential in keeping kelp forests alive and through them whole oceanic ecosystems. Their range used to spread all over north pacific, but now it's broken apart and in some places shrinking. In spite of that, they can be still found on two continents today.
www.nytimes.com
That would be all for tonight.
I know they already have their final (two) roster(s) figured out, so for this to be a plea, is a "bit late". Still I don't mind putting this together, I like to see it here. If for nothing, then that pesky sequel, hmmm...Until then at least for some discussion.
Alright, its's nearing 5 A.M. now, I'm probably going for a sunrise walk to cure my sleepless night. Arrivederci
We already have two otters in the game, that's a fact, but I believe Sea Otter brings enough novelty to warrant its own inclusion.
First and foremost it looks different enough from the ones we have. Bulky build and distinctive white head already makes it stand out among the equals.
Second thing is set of unique behavior it could bring into the game. For the base just the iconic floating on the back. Building from that we can have them eating on their back (hey maybe we can get urchin, crab, mussels feeders), carrying their young (I know some other animals were shafted in this department, but it can be one time short animations like with pouches) and holding hands while asleep, with other adult otters (which would be adorable selling footage).
While we're still on behavior and animations, new enrichment potential opens up, as they're dynamic and lively animals. We know Frontier likes to hook onto memes and media recognizability, there's plenty of viral videos of otters stacking plastic cups and slam dunking basketballs. And interestingly enough both videos bellow are from Oregon and Point Defiance zoos respectively, rather than from dedicated Aquariums:
Continuing from my former point, Sea Otters aren't unheard of in zoos. I've heard several times how Sea Otters aren't really zoo animals, and are more fit for Aquarium game. And that is statistically true. However. From what I've gathered from ZooTierliste, Sea Otters are present in 25 facilities. While most of those are Aquariums I counted five zoos, which is more than some species already present in the game. So for realism sake, it's doable. And for those who don't bother with realism, I don't have to convince you on this point.
Next, the biome. Not only it would be our first otter that can live in cold weather (both otters we have are tropical) but would also be another marine animal. I think most people here agree that we need more on that front, and while it wouldn't be the Sea Turtle, Shark or a Dolphin, it's a step in right direction. I think it would greatly benefit to break pinniped-penguin (the only marine animals we have so far) cycle in marine sections. On top of that, or rather hand in hand with that, the biome could warrant inclusion of some underwater decorations and plants in free update. After all if JWE can have their kelp, why can't we?
Further, Sea Otters are excellent inclusion for education and conservation purposes. They're endangered, yet their unique lifestyle is essential in keeping kelp forests alive and through them whole oceanic ecosystems. Their range used to spread all over north pacific, but now it's broken apart and in some places shrinking. In spite of that, they can be still found on two continents today.
When the Otters Vanished, Everything Else Started to Crumble (Published 2020)
Against the backdrop of climate change, the delicate underwater ecology of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands is hurting from declines in otters.
That would be all for tonight.
I know they already have their final (two) roster(s) figured out, so for this to be a plea, is a "bit late". Still I don't mind putting this together, I like to see it here. If for nothing, then that pesky sequel, hmmm...Until then at least for some discussion.
Alright, its's nearing 5 A.M. now, I'm probably going for a sunrise walk to cure my sleepless night. Arrivederci
