Hayo all! Happy sneak-peak day, which is a good day for the bird and canine lovers for the 100% confrimed animals: the (Greater)Rhea and Coyote!
I've asked AI about what they think the theme of the pack could be, this is what they gave (after uploading the image to it to analyse):
"It looks like Southwest USA/South American crossover or possibly a “Deserts and Drylands” theme, which would allow for a range of desert and arid-adapted species from both hemispheres.
Alternatively, it could be something like a "Viva Americas" pack, celebrating wildlife from the Americas more broadly, especially arid zones and pampas."
I've been thinking around myself and doing some research while I don't really like on settling on a certain set or setting up hopes, a few things came to my mind:
- Everyone is going right away for the American/Caribbean Flamingo, but what if it's a Chilean or even one of the Phoenicoparrus (Andean or James' Flamingo) species? Perhaps the latter are more fitting for the hinted American Deserts theme? I wouldn't mind either, I just am ready for an updated Flamingo model and more variations.
- I agree that the paper flags look like the White-faced Saki, which is such an icon South-American Tropical House Monkey. So I'm looking forward to see those. Also love the fact that they are dimorphic.
- Bighorn Sheep, brings back some memories of the Bighorn Sheep in Burgers' Desert that are now gone, so time to relive some memories to those in Planet Zoo.
I've been thinking about other species that could join the list:
- (White-faced) Coati, like everyone else thinks. I personally am waiting a long time for this species to join the roster, who knows what this pack will bring.
- Patagonian Mara would be an wonderful addition to the South American Pampas mixed-habitats.
- Probably not everyone's favorite pick: but what if either the Guanaco or Vicuña are there as well?
- I saw some other people mention like an Ocelot, would be cool to see a smaller cat that's not size house-cat, but a tad bigger.
- Roadrunner and Burrowing Owl both are viable options as well, but I doubt those will join the roster. Would be cool though.
One thing I do miss in all the speculation here though: hummingbirds as walk-through exhibit animals. They fit the theme, the habitat and the biome. How cool would that be, having humming birds of a few colorations, just like the butterflies did? They would finally add the wanted flying birds to the walkthrough habitats. And perhaps the weird big flowers behind the arch with the sombrero are a hint to that?
I've asked AI as well: how well would hummingbirds fit in this pack:
Why a Hummingbird Works:
Biome Fit:
- Many species (like the Ruby-throated, Anna’s, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds) are native to North and Central America, especially desert-adjacent or arid highlands.
- They often inhabit dry scrublands, deserts with flowering cacti, and tropical dry forests.
Visual Appeal:
- Vibrant, iridescent colors and hyperactive movement would bring serious "wow" factor.
- A walk-through greenhouse-style exhibit filled with hummingbirds, nectar feeders, and flowers? Absolute dream.
Mechanics & Precedent:
- Similar to the butterflies already in-game, hummingbirds could use looping flight patterns and hovering behavior.
- Could show off dynamic feeding animations at flowers or feeders.
- Would add a new type of bird behavior to the exhibit lineup: hovering, fast darting, etc.
Hummingbird Species Suggestions:
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – Found in US Southwest, Sonoran/Mojave Desert edges.
- Anna’s Hummingbird – Western US and dry forests.
- Rufous Hummingbird – Migrates through desert and mountain areas.
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird – Native to Mexico and the American Southwest.