Hello everyone! It is that time to continue this extended thought experiment and see what's going on in all of your heads as we think on the next dlc PZ will receive. If you're unfamiliar or need a refresher, I've been doing these since just before the announcement and release of the SEA pack. The rules are simple, just post what your dream NA pack and your nightmare NA pack would look like. This time, if you want to make one a 7 + 1 and the other a 4 + 1, go for it! There are no wrong answers on this thread, it's all about you as an individual.
As far as my predictions and wishlists, I got four SEA animals correct and four Africa pack animals (my top four for that pack) correct as well, though Animals packs weren't a known thing when I made my first post.
So, my dream scenario. I think for me, the most important thing about a NA pack is using it to showcase the diverse biomes and landscapes, especially ones found in the United States, just because I feel like that has the greatest variation. The animals I'd like to see represent the theme of diversity, while also making sure we get some animals whose absences have been notably felt.
Dream Scenario
Nightmare Scenario
As far as my predictions and wishlists, I got four SEA animals correct and four Africa pack animals (my top four for that pack) correct as well, though Animals packs weren't a known thing when I made my first post.
So, my dream scenario. I think for me, the most important thing about a NA pack is using it to showcase the diverse biomes and landscapes, especially ones found in the United States, just because I feel like that has the greatest variation. The animals I'd like to see represent the theme of diversity, while also making sure we get some animals whose absences have been notably felt.
Dream Scenario
- California sea lion (Aquatic, Temperate): As the most showcased pinniped in captivity, it was somewhat surprising that this animal was excluded from the Aquatic pack, but this is a perfect example to make up for that. This animal would do a great job of representing the Western Coastlines of NA.
- Mountain lion (Taiga, Temperate, Grassland, Tropical, Desert): This is the pinnacle of the diversity theme. Mountain lions are one of the single most adaptable mammals in the world, and though I generally think of them as a NA animal since that's where I'm from, the range all the way from Alaska and Northern Canada to the southern most tips of the Andes. As such, it could fit into many different themed areas in our zoos, but we'll just say for now that it's a great representative for NA's Mountains.
- American Alligator (Aquatic, Temperate, Tropical): As the most showcased crocodilian in captivity, it was somewhat surprising that this animal was excluded from the Aquatic pack, but this is a perfect example to make up for that. Haha, does that sound familiar? I think that's justification enough for it to be included, but also, don't discount the fact that it's a great way to show case the Southern Wetlands of the USA!
- Black-footed ferret (Grassland): This incredibly endangered animal is up there with the American bison and California condor in terms of amazing NA conservation success stories. Coming after the Africa pack, this should easily be able to use the Meerkat model/rig as a jumping off point. It's a small mammal, which is a huge plus, and might not be to well known outside of NA, so it's a great chance to introduce people to this wonderful little ferret. They do burrow, so they're the best candidate in my mind to actually be added. It also represents the Prairies of NA.
- Whooping Crane (Aquatic, Temperate, Tropical, Taiga): Like the ferret, this is another great example of conservation at work in NA. It adds another bird, which is well deserved representation. Ultimately it's conservation status and broader migratory range give it the edge over the roseate spoonbill to represent the Eastern Coastlines of NA.
- White-nosed coati (Desert, Temperate, Tropical): Though these animals have a broad range that stretches all the way down to the end of Central America, a significant portion of their habitat consists of arid desert in the Southwestern USA and most parts of Mexico. I know some people would probably rather see a peccary in this spot, but given the fact that we have two pig species already, I had to go with this far more unique omnivore to represent NA's Deserts.
- Eastern Moose (Aquatic, Temperate, Taiga): This particular animal is highly requested due to it being included in past zoo sim games such as ZT1 and ZT2. It would be just the second deer species in PZ, and would be able to showcase some fascinating diving behaviors as an fully amphibious mammal. One fun fact they could use is that aquatic plants actually make up a higher % of a moose's diet than a hippos! This particular subspecies is not the largest moose in NA, but it is the best choice to represent the Eastern Deciduous Forests!
- Tiger Salamander (Temperate Rainforest): We currently have no salamander or newt species in the game, and this dlc is a prime opportunity to fix that. I know that the alligator snapping turtle would be the most popular choice, but since the theme today is diversity of biomes, this is an amazing opportunity to not only give us a unique amphibian, but also a new exhibit biome that would be specific to just this animal. Super cool! It perfectly represents the Western Temperate Rainforests of NA!
Nightmare Scenario
- North American river otter
- American flamingo
- American alligator
- Desert or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
- Red eared slider
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