Winter DLC Speculation
- Thread starter Xificayd
- Start date
Imo theres not a single reason why the yellow bellied marmot should get into the game over the alpine one, besides the allmighty personal preference.
But statisticly, not only does europe need representation much more then north america at this point, but also the YBM appears to only be held at yellowstone wildlife sanctuary and the bronx zoo, while the alpine marmot is found in over 80 EAZA institutions.
We really do not need NA animals any more besides from the deserts, so that really would feel like a wasted slot compared to the alpine marmot for european representation and to go with the alpine ibex.
And if it just is about adding a North American Mountain animal, the rocky mountain goat easily is more iconic and visually distinct, making it a good choice to be put in instead of the markhor, as Asia really got enough representation by this point and doesnt beed 2 caprids in one dlc
Are there even Wild Yaks in any Zoos? At least it isn't listed on Zootierliste.de. So they are at least not in any EAZA Zoos while there are lots of Zoos keeping the domesticated ones
My preferred choices for a mountain pack would be:
1. Golden takin (represents the Qinling Mountains of China - same general range as the giant panda)
2. Bar-headed goose (represents the mountains of Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau)
3. Gelada (represents the Ethiopian Highlands)
4. Spectacled bear (represents the northern and central Andes)
5. Northern chamois (represents the Alps, Balkan mountains, Carpathians and Caucasus in Europe and western Asia)
6. Yellow-footed rock wallaby OR Western long-beaked echidna (the latter is only kept in one Indonesian zoo, but they are the biggest of all monotremes, lives only in high-altitude forests and moorlands and there are plans to create a new breeding programme for them in Europe, using animals confiscated from the pet trade)
7. Yellow-throated marten (not strictly a mountain species, but occurs across almost all altitudinal ranges and can be found in mountain ranges across eastern Asia as well as the Himalayas)
And either:
Walkthrough exhibit. A hummingbird, either violet-tailed sylph (a beautiful hummingbird from high-altitude cloud forests in the Andes; is kept in at least one zoo in Italy), Amazilia hummingbird (a rather pretty species and the most commonly-kept hummingbird in captivity, but is not completely restricted to mountains) OR giant hummingbird (the biggest of the hummingbirds, was kept in quite a number of American zoos until very recently, but is a fairly dull-coloured species by hummingbird standards)
Exhibit. African pancake tortoise (a Critically Endangered species from rocky cliffs and outcrops in East Africa, commonly kept in zoos)
1. Golden takin (represents the Qinling Mountains of China - same general range as the giant panda)
2. Bar-headed goose (represents the mountains of Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau)
3. Gelada (represents the Ethiopian Highlands)
4. Spectacled bear (represents the northern and central Andes)
5. Northern chamois (represents the Alps, Balkan mountains, Carpathians and Caucasus in Europe and western Asia)
6. Yellow-footed rock wallaby OR Western long-beaked echidna (the latter is only kept in one Indonesian zoo, but they are the biggest of all monotremes, lives only in high-altitude forests and moorlands and there are plans to create a new breeding programme for them in Europe, using animals confiscated from the pet trade)
7. Yellow-throated marten (not strictly a mountain species, but occurs across almost all altitudinal ranges and can be found in mountain ranges across eastern Asia as well as the Himalayas)
And either:
Walkthrough exhibit. A hummingbird, either violet-tailed sylph (a beautiful hummingbird from high-altitude cloud forests in the Andes; is kept in at least one zoo in Italy), Amazilia hummingbird (a rather pretty species and the most commonly-kept hummingbird in captivity, but is not completely restricted to mountains) OR giant hummingbird (the biggest of the hummingbirds, was kept in quite a number of American zoos until very recently, but is a fairly dull-coloured species by hummingbird standards)
Exhibit. African pancake tortoise (a Critically Endangered species from rocky cliffs and outcrops in East Africa, commonly kept in zoos)
My takes on a highlands/mountains pack
- It would also work as a scenery pack (Himalayan architecture, some rustic wood panels, props associated with survival/living far off civilisation)
- A large group in this forum seems to think Asia does not need to many more options - I disagree
- Asia is severly lacking in ungulates, especially the Himalayan region - a hihglands pack could remedy that
- I'd propose to get a least two out of these three: Markhor (iconic and common), Yak (very different from all the other bovines in game), Takin (relatively unique goat)
- SA could get some help form this pack, although it would not cover essential missing species
- the spectacled bear could provide this pack with a fitting carnivore
- An armadillo could be the oddball of this pack, e.g. the screaming hairy armadillo or the andean hairy armadillo
- The musk ox would be an interesting option that helps out Northern Europe and NA, but it is another goat species that competes with the himalayan species for a slot
- We have some interesting Old World primate choices
- The Gelada baboon would have a conservation value, and finally bring us a baboon species
- Alternatively, we could get the Francois' Langor (lives in limestone cliffs, is endangered and has a captive presence) or Gee's Golden Langur (lives at the foot hills of the himalayans)
- Markhor
- Yak (sorry Takin, but I think too many goats are unlikely in one pack)
- Spectacled bear
- Andean hairy armadillo
- Musk ox
- Gelada baboon or a Langur if we are to get another baboon in a different future pack, e.g. Hamadryas in a desert/drylands pack
- For the last slot, either a bird species, the alpine marmot or the Rocky mountain elk - don't really have a preference hear, all three could be interesting to me
- Walk-through exhibit: a lot of hummingbird species live in the mountains ...
I'm all for the Bennett's over the rock-wallaby to be honest. It's far more common in NZ zoos as well (Auckland also used to keep the Parma wallaby before they moved onto eastern grey kangaroos - which I would also like, so it would be nice if they went with "two wallabies" and "two kangaroos").
I like the ideia of a mountains pack, it could potentially bring a lot of diversity.
- Spectacled bear: it's from South America, so it boosts this area, even tough it's just another bear
- Takin: I couldn't care less about the subspecies (but hopefully not the Buthan one, which is rarely kept in international collections)
- Pheasant: there are a lot of species they can choose from, a monal, tragopan, eared pheasant, even the more commonly held Amherst and golden pheasant.
- Mountain hare: we still don't have a lagomorph, and even thought I would prefer a wild rabbit, this would add a bit of diversity to a lot of regions, even more than the Alpine marmot (even tough I would be very happy to see these fellows too)
- Manteled guereza: I don't think a lot of people would associate it to mountainous habitats, but they do occur in the Ethiopian Highlands and the Kilimanjaro area. A gelada could be more associated with the mountainous range, but I think that a hamadryas baboon in a desert pack is better suited.
- Yellow footed rock wallaby: was between this one and a tree kangaroo, but I think I would be okay with this one. Wouldn't really need any additional wallaby
- Kea: this was my first idea for such a pack, I really think they deserve to be included, but I'm not sure if I really would like to see them in a walktrough exhibit
I like your ideas. And I would have nothing against both Gelada, in a mountain pack, and Hamadryas Baboon, in a Grassland/Dryland pack. They look very different in my opinion and as far as I know the Gelada does not belong to the baboon family but is a close relative species to them.
Yes but manteld guereza in mountaibs pack means more SA monkeys in rainforrest pack
Oh I agree, despite my bias for the rock-wallaby, if we only get one wallaby species I do hope it is Bennett's - it's the better option from a usability standpoint. I just think that people shouldn't get too worried if the rock-wallaby is added first.
As long as we get at least two wallabies (which I prioritise over more kangaroos), I'd also really like eastern grey kangaroos. It'd be nice to have the option to make mixed-species macropod habitats that are range appropriate - red kangaroos with the rock-wallabies (Adelaide Zoo has this mix) and grey kangaroos with the Bennett's.
EDIT: Add a dorcopsis to keep with the tree kangaroos while you're at it. God's imperfect creature
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They do belong to the same family, but not the same genus as the true baboons.
But primate taxonomy is kinda weird
I would like for a mountain pack:
And with the free update as new plants:
- alpine marmot
- pallas cat
- chamois
- spectacled bear
- vicuña
- mountain goat
- yak
- common european adder or
- alpine salamander
And with the free update as new plants:
- aconitum (aconitum napellus)
- dwarf mountain pine (pinus mugo)
- giant redwood tree (sequoiadendron giganteum)
The Gelada isn't a Baboon though. Only closely related to Baboons. Would absolutely love to see those in the Game and I hope the Fact that so many People suggest it in this Thread will increase the Chance for it to actually make it into the Game
I really don't want to see the Gelada over the Hamadrayas baboon. They are much more common and deserts are shafted enough as is.
I'd love to see the Gelada and a Baboon. I'd prefer the Olive Baboon but would also be happy about the Hamadryas Baboon. Just hope they'll get the Head Fur of the males right
Mungo would be fantastic! It's so common in landscaping. Tulips (flexicolor?) would be another great mountain plant since they're originally from the Himalayas.
I'm with you there. Geladas look neat but Hamadryas baboons are far more familiar.
My version of mountains animal pack:
1. Matschie's Tree Kangaroo - endemic to saruwaged range on huon peninsula
2. Colombian Black Spider Monkey - monke from montane forests of north andes.
3. Spectacled Bear - another species found in montane forests of north andes.
4. Mishmi Takin - apparently this subspecies lives in more mountainous areas of himalayas
5. Himalayan Monal - bird from himalayas
6. Hamadryas Baboon / Gelada - if we can have up to 4 carnivorans in one pack then why not 2 monke? Species from Ethiopian highlands.
7. Rock Hyrax - small boi from various mountains in africa
8. Chinese Giant Salamander (E) - lives in mountain streams. There is uncertain population in tibetan plateu or atleast was idk.
Overall
3 animals from montane forests: bear, spider monkey and tree kangaroo
3 animals from typical rocky mountains areas: giant salamander, takin, monal
2 animals from arid montane grasslands: baboon, hyrax
Plants in free update: some cool looking plants from cloud forests and himalayas. Not a bothanic expert, but flora from tropical andes and new guinea mountains look very nice.
1. Matschie's Tree Kangaroo - endemic to saruwaged range on huon peninsula
2. Colombian Black Spider Monkey - monke from montane forests of north andes.
3. Spectacled Bear - another species found in montane forests of north andes.
4. Mishmi Takin - apparently this subspecies lives in more mountainous areas of himalayas
5. Himalayan Monal - bird from himalayas
6. Hamadryas Baboon / Gelada - if we can have up to 4 carnivorans in one pack then why not 2 monke? Species from Ethiopian highlands.
7. Rock Hyrax - small boi from various mountains in africa
8. Chinese Giant Salamander (E) - lives in mountain streams. There is uncertain population in tibetan plateu or atleast was idk.
Overall
3 animals from montane forests: bear, spider monkey and tree kangaroo
3 animals from typical rocky mountains areas: giant salamander, takin, monal
2 animals from arid montane grasslands: baboon, hyrax
Plants in free update: some cool looking plants from cloud forests and himalayas. Not a bothanic expert, but flora from tropical andes and new guinea mountains look very nice.