Analyzing required animals by Taxonomical group

Last few discussions take quite a while to summarize, thanks to all the amazing suggestions. While I'm finishing up, here's the next one.


Discussion #12: Lagomorphs, Hyraxes, Pangolins, flamingos and grebes*

What we have:

Lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas):
None

Hyraxes:
None

Pangolins:
  1. Chinese pangolin

Flamingos and grebes*:
  1. Greater flamingo

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.
Just arctic or mountain or European hare for me.
I really think that even one lagomorph would be essential for the game before the end.
Right not we don’t have any small Arctic species so Arctic hare would be my preference to enchance the arctic sections of my zoos. They could also use the burrows.

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Lagomorphs:
I dont think we need any outside of a domestic rabbit if we get a petting zoo pack. Arctic hares would be cool to flesh out the tundra roster with something small besides the fox

Hyraxes:
Surprisingly elephants closet living relatives.
The rock hyrax would be a nice inclusion imo as a middle eastern pick.

Pangolins:
None needed

Flamingos and grebes:
While i can personally live without it ive see a lot of people asking for the american flamingo, so i wanted to mention it
 
Lagomorphs... most of them seem interchangeable, at least in appearance. Yes, the locomotion of hares at their breakneck running speed is quite different than rabbits, but at slower speeds everybody just hops around. But we do need a lagomorph rig for later modding, and I prefer species with morph/seasonal colors. So I would choose the white-tailed prairie jackrabbit (USA), Eurasian mountain hare, or snowshoe hare.

Hyraxes... Nice but not essential would be the rock hyrax (probably the "coney" referenced in the King James bible). I would avoid the tree hyrax since climbing in PZ is so wonky.

Pangolins... Our current pangolin is enough.

Flamingos and grebes...Definitely need the American/Caribbean flamingo so I can make a lagoon filled with pink birds!
 
My turn, y'all:

Lagomorphs

I've never seen a rabbit in a zoo. However, I would like 1 to come to the game, any species in my opinion will do. Personal favorites are:
  1. Black-tailed jackrabbit
  2. Arctic hare
Besides that, I'm good..

Hyraxes

I don't know much about hyraxes. I've only heard of the rock hyrax. Are there any other species? Anyways, with hyraxes, I can live without...

Pangolins

I'm satisfied with the current pangolin...

Flamingos and Grebes

I'd like the American flamingo. Nice color that'll contrast the brightness of the greater flamingo
 
Lagomorphs: Don't need any. I have nothing against them but I don't consider them zoo animals.

Hyraxes: The rock hyrax could be included but really not essential.

Pangolins: I'm happy pangolins are represented in the game but they are rare in captivity so one species is enough.

Flamingos and grebes: I'm not opposed to the American Flamingo but still far from essential. And I would prefer to get a lot of other birds first.

So, to sum it up, nothing essential here for me.
 
Last few discussions take quite a while to summarize, thanks to all the amazing suggestions. While I'm finishing up, here's the next one.


Discussion #12: Lagomorphs, Hyraxes, Pangolins, flamingos and grebes*

What we have:

Lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas):
None

Hyraxes:
None

Pangolins:
  1. Chinese pangolin

Flamingos and grebes*:
  1. Greater flamingo

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.
European Rabbit, Flemish Giant and a Lob Rabbit would combine the two most common domestic bunny breeds in zoos that represent both the steriotypical lop eared domestic and the largest lagomorph which looks like a literal giant rabbit or a nice black and white spots. The european rabbit would be a fun european animal thats also endangerd making a nice wild stand in or just european animal.
The other ones eh...i dare you to tell me the differences in apperance between the pangolin species, hyraxes are okay but nothing crazy, similar tier like a chinchilla, cool if we get one but i couldnt care less if we get none and flamingos are a great free gift but thats about it.
So yeah 3 flavors of european rabbit for me please
 
Discussion #12: Lagomorphs, Hyraxes, Pangolins, flamingos and grebes

Lagomorphs - I don't know, I would want some rabbits but can't consider them actually essiential. Picking one I would go with the European Rabbit because I encounter these quite often. As a zoo animal? I guess a petting zoo might find them handy

Hyraxes - Rock Hyrax is a must here, pair these with an addition of some meerkat and klipspringer and there's a fantastic kopje African area

Pangolin - rare enough as it is , adding a second pangolin is a waste of time. Like others have said, is there anyone who can give any distinct unique features of another pangolin to take up another slot?

Flamingos and grebes - couldn't care about grebes as never actually seen or heard of one in a zoo. Flamingoes on the other hand I would desire 2 more additions - the American flamingo and the Chilean Flamingo
 
Discussion #12: Lagomorphs, Hyraxes, Pangolins, flamingos and grebes*

What we have:

Lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas):
None
Hyraxes:
None
Pangolins:
  1. Chinese pangolin
Flamingos and grebes*:
  1. Greater flamingo
Lagomorphs - To be honest, for the first 3 years of the game I really didn't think about this group at all. It was only with the children and petting zoo theme idea gaining traction that I really thought it would be good to get something in the game. But probably only if it came in that pack, at least a first. Because beyond that idea, I just don't think there's a lot of lagomorphs on display in zoos. So I'd say a more domesticated type of rabbit IF we get a petting zoo/farm type of pack. And because I'm thinking if they add one in, they'll probably use the rig again, I'd like to see the Snowshoe or Arctic hare as the second. But I can't really say they're essential or required.

Hyrax - Neat animals but not essential. I'm not opposed to them, the Rock Hyrax is in my longer want list but I'm also totally fine if we never got them.

Pangolins - I think the one we have is enough. They seem like too much of a niche species to have more than one represented, IMO.

Flamingo/Grebes - Don't need any of these, but wouldn't be upset in the least if we did. The American Flamingo would give us another animal for variety for one of the more iconic animals in the base game. Grebes would be neat to have and add something visually different. but not required.

Once again, nothing's really required for me here, unless we get a Petting Zoo/Farm type of theme in which case a rabbit would be essential to be included. On the other hand, aside from the Pangolin I wouldn't turn down any of these animals, but given we're likely looking at another 4-6 packs at most, I would rather see some different animals instead - again with the caveat if we get 1 rabbit rig, we'll probably get a second one before support ends.
 
This is a quick and easy one

European rabbit feels essential to come in a petting zoo/children's zoo pack. American or Chilean flamingo would also be good to get a proper pink flamingo but aren't essential.

Rock hyrax and greater Crested grebe are also cool but definitley not needed. I'm fine with no more pangolins.
 
Last few discussions take quite a while to summarize, thanks to all the amazing suggestions. While I'm finishing up, here's the next one.


Discussion #12: Lagomorphs, Hyraxes, Pangolins, flamingos and grebes*

What we have:

Lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas):
None

Hyraxes:
None

Pangolins:
  1. Chinese pangolin

Flamingos and grebes*:
  1. Greater flamingo

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.
Lagomorphs:
I find rabbits to be the same as ducks, not widely necessary but would make fine additions for variety and for the reasons that no other zoo game of this caliber adds them. I can live without them, but they'd still be pretty cool with the right species. My preferred pick is the Snowshoe Hare (I know hares technically aren't rabbits but go with it) as NA tundra rep. There's also Domestic Rabbits if we ever get a petting/children's zoo pack of some variety, since they're incredibly common in captivity. Any breed would do, so long as they have multiple colour morphs. I'm not aware of any pikas in captivity. I don't think we really need any anyway, since their concept could be done with a slightly larger animal I'll mention next.

Hyraxes:
Rock Hyraxes. Yes please. Probably not regarded as necessary by the vast majority, in all honesty the vast majority probably don't even know what they are, and... I'd have to agree. I would place them just underneath necessary, as they are distinct looking, decently sized and common enough in captivity. The only thing holding them back in my eyes is the lack of demand, if other people don't want it that badly, it gets pushed to the wayside unfortunately for me.

Pangolins:
Nah, we're done here. I feel like having more than one pangolin in the game ruins the magic of them getting in at all (especially in the base roster no less). If we're gonna get species that are exceedingly rare in captivity, at least make sure they're unique, y'know?

Flamingos + Grebes:
Another flamingo ain't necessary imo, they're pretty much just cosmetic changes. I'd only really be okay with it if it was like a free anniversary animal, which even then, the Red Deer has proven that we could get more interesting species instead. If we were to get another one though (and something tells me we will anyway because of the demand), I suspect the American Flamingo due it's popularity and colouration. People have mentioned the Chilean Flamingo in the past as well, but I don't think there's enough of a difference between it and the Greater to even consider it personally.
A grebe would essentially just be a weird looking duck. I'd be all for the Great Crested Grebe (which I've managed to find an example of it being housed open air on ZooChat), but I wouldn't regard as anywhere near necessary, just neat.
 
Lagomorphs:
Uncommon in zoos outside of domestic rabbits; for the latter, if (as I've speculated) they opt for an Easter-tied children's/domestic pack for this spring, the Flemish giant rabbit would make a lot of sense sense as a charismatic and common breed. Desirable but not necessary.

Hyraxes:
One of the more interesting small mammals, and the rock hyrax would be a fantastic filler animal for African sections and could work for mixed habitats with meerkats, aardvarks, and even African penguins. Would like to see in a highland pack or some kind of return to Africa.

Pangolins:
The Chinese pangolin is maybe the weirdest base roster choice for being both a unique model and a very rare and unconventional zoo mammal. We don't need another one.

Mirandornithes:
For balance, I think a New World flamingo is necessary--preferably the more charismatic American flamingo but I wouldn't snub the Chilean. I think it's inevitable that we get a couple clones this year and this would be one of my preferred ones.
 
Last few discussions take quite a while to summarize, thanks to all the amazing suggestions. While I'm finishing up, here's the next one.


Discussion #12: Lagomorphs, Hyraxes, Pangolins, flamingos and grebes*

What we have:

Lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas):
None

Hyraxes:
None

Pangolins:
  1. Chinese pangolin

Flamingos and grebes*:
  1. Greater flamingo

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.
Lagomorphs: Not terribly fussed about this group. Wild lagomorphs are very uncommon in North America and (according to some quick searches on Zootierliste, so I could easily be wrong) only slightly more prevalent in Europe, so I’m not all that interested in getting a brand new rig for such a minor zoo species. If we did get one, I’d be happiest with a simple domestic rabbit, but it's low priority even amongst pet store tier domestic species (I’d prefer guinea pigs and chinchillas). Still, it’s by far the most common lagomorph in captivity, and would probably come with a lot of color morphs, so there’s that.

Hyraxes: Alright, now we’re cooking. The rock hyrax is one of the most undervalued species out there, in my opinion. Small mammal, reasonably common in captivity, desert dweller, Middle Eastern representation, cliff climber, able to highlight the fact that this weird little doofus is the closest living relative of elephants. Checks a ton of boxes that I’m eager to have checked. It might not crack the upper crust of essentials, but it’s really close.

Pangolins: I’d struggle to consider a pangolin a worthwhile inclusion even if we didn’t already have one. Despite their uniqueness and strong conservation value, they just don’t do well in captivity. Zootierliste shows two species across four zoos, while I know for a fact that the white-bellied pangolin is the only species exhibited in North America, and in a single zoo. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have gotten to see it in person last year, and have since been using the Chinese pangolin in game as a stand in for it, but I still can’t justify a second pangolin of all things.

Flamingos and grebes: Grebes? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single person bring them up. Besides, there’s plenty of more iconic and recognizable ducks, geese, and swans on the table. As for the flamingos, I think it’d be nice to have some options, and hey, more birds are always welcome. I think the obvious choice is the American flamingo with its absolutely eye popping feathers that are so pink that they’re practically red. They’d serve as the best contrast with the greater flamingo, and they’re also significantly more common in NA while still having a solid presence in Europe. The Chilean flamingo is also a solid choice for largely the same reasons, except it’s nowhere near as vibrant so it’s a lower priority. All that said, there’s at least a handful of storks and cranes that I’d strongly prefer to see before any second flamingo, so I wouldn’t consider them a real high priority.
 
Poor pangolins. Seem like this is the first we're all pretty much agreeing a second is not needed or even really wanted.
I've often seen the giant pangolin appear in African forest (or similar) wishlists but contesting with the likes of the crested Porcupine? I'm sure everyone here will say porcupine ten times over before even thinking of another pangolin
 
I've often seen the giant pangolin appear in African forest (or similar) wishlists but contesting with the likes of the crested Porcupine? I'm sure everyone here will say porcupine ten times over before even thinking of another pangolin
I hinestly don't see a relation between the two.
 
Poor pangolins. Seem like this is the first we're all pretty much agreeing a second is not needed or even really wanted.
There are only 8 species. Having one is a pretty good amount of representation for something that wasn't important for a zoo game in the first place.
Meanwhile over 130 duck species have been completely ignored even though a lot of them got relevance for a zoo game...
 
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