My favorites and why:
Base Game:
Okapi (exotic, mysterious and elegant)
Deluxe Edition:
Pygmy hippo (cutest babies on earth)
Arctic Pack: Reindeer (the dearest deer I have ever seen)
South America:
Giant Anteater (such a beautiful model - my favorite from my childhood plus they are fierce and can even fight with jaguars)
Australia:
Cassowary (eyes, skin, moves)
Aquatic:
Giant Otter (so fun to watch - I make exibits for them, sit, relax and enjoy them for hours)
Southeast Asia:
Babirusa (weirdest animal in the game and the males when they fight with each other it’s a spectacle)
Africa:
White rhino (I know that I’m repeating myself but have you seen their babies??? Cuteness personified also when the adults turn on their backs it’s a behavior so perfectly implemented)
North America: Beaver (first rodent in the game and so perfectly made - aquatic animals have their own magic)
Europe:
Eurasian lynx (already mentioned that in my previous post but the sounds they can produce is the weirdest and cutest thing I have ever heard in my entire life)
I’m sorry for those who would feel annoyed by me constantly mentioning this but
Malayan tapir with no doubt would be my all time favorite if it would ever get a remodel. It’s my beloved animal of all times and seeing it like it is now right now makes me really sad every time when I play the game.
Why do I love them? simple: they are the coolest creatures on earth with their colors, curious trunks and smiles they can make