When it comes to Crocodilians, they are one of my all time favourite groups of reptile and animals in general. Their diverse range of 28 species is full of prime candidates for the game. The game holds a couple of the collection.
The Saltwater Crocodile - The largest crocodilian and reptile in the world, with one of the most powerful bite forces in the animal kingdom. Found from Northern Australia through Indonesia to as far as India. Female salties and other crocodilians are fiercely protective mothers, defending their eggs and hatchlings from any potential threats even if it means putting their life in danger.
The Gharial - One of the most endangered reptiles on the planet and one of the most bizarre crocodilians The most aquatic of the crocodilians and with their long, slender jaws they can sweep them through water at great speed to catch slippery fish in an interlocking set of teeth. They are found in small pockets on the Indian Subcontinent. They are also the third largest reptile in the world.
The Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman - One of the smallest species on the planet reaching a total of 1.4m in length. As nocturnal animals, they will stay in a burrow on the river's edge during the heat of the day and come out in the cool of the night to hunt small animals like fish, amphibians and invertebrates.
The American Alligator - The 8th largest reptile in the world and second largest of the alligator group. They are one of the most common crocodilians in the world, that was on the verge of extinction at a point in time, but has made a full recovery in recent decades. Crocodiles and Alligators can be differentiated in many ways like their jaw shapes, colouration, water preferences and their size.
The Spectacled Caiman - This widespread member of the alligator family is found across Northern South America into countries like Panama, Costa Rica and up to Mexico. These caiman have a diverse diet, consisting primarily of mammals and fish, as well as invertebrates, small reptiles like caiman hatchlings and water birds on the banks of the bodies of water they live in.
But as ancient of a group of animals as crocodilians are, their diversity is apparent in their size, habitat and diets. There are many other species that can be considered for Planet Zoo as they are too cool to miss out on, there are other reasons such as conservation status, regional familiarity and occurrence in zoological institutions. I have confined this list to only number up to 8 species, making a possible total number of species up to 12 crocodilians for players to use. By the end of the game, every different genus of crocodilian should be covered, these are Caiman, Melanosuchus, Paleosuchus, Alligator, Crocodylus, Mecistops, Osteolaemus, Gavialis and Tomistoma.
8. West African Slender-Snouted Crocodile - These critically endangered crocodilians are found in West Africa is places like Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Togo. They are separated between two species, the West African and the Central African Slender-Snouted Crocodile. They are a perfect addition to any Congo exhibition, much like the next crocodilian. Like many crocodilians to be mentioned they will inhabit burrows during the heat of the day or during colder months. They primarily eat fish and amphibians. They are also fairly common in zoos, appearing rapidly in many US and UK zoos.
7. African Dwarf Crocodile - These miniature crocodilians are found across West and Central Africa, found in many rivers and streams. They primarily come out at night much like the Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman. During the day they will dwell in burrows on the rivers' edge. They too are common in many zoos worldwide, from the US to Singapore in a variety of different jungle themed and Congo themed exhibits. They are also vulnerable, often poached for the bushmeat trade.
6. Chinese Alligator - This critically endangered species from China is the smallest and only other alligator in the world. They are far smaller than the American Alligator, but they share their freshwater preference of habitat. Unlike in the wild, Chinese Alligators are found throughout captivity with a population as of 2016 ranging up to 20,000. This large population is probably due to presence in crocodile farms, but they are found throughout zoos around the world.
5. Orinoco Crocodile - This critically endangered crocodile is only found along the Orinoco Basin in Colombia and Venezuela. Their emerald green eyes and sandy, yellow and gold green colouration make them distinct from the American Crocodile which lives along the coastlines of its native countries. They often live alongside the Spectacled Caiman and Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman as they inhabit similar habitats, wetlands and rivers. They are however slightly larger than the American Crocodile as the 4th largest reptile in the world, behind the Gharial, Nile Crocodile and Saltwater Crocodile.
4. False Gharial - This vulnerable crocodilian of Southeast Asia is powerful and ancient species that lives in places like the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra and Java. Their dark reddish colouration with brown or black spots and cross bands on the back and tail make them distinct from many crocodilians. Across its range it is threatened by drainage of its habitat and clearance of surrounding rainforests. The animal itself and its eggs are often subject to poaching and human consumption. This is my personal favourite crocodilian and I would love to see it added to the game.
3. Black Caiman - The Black Caiman is the largest in the alligator family, slightly larger than the American Alligator of the Southern United States. It lives along slow rivers, lakes and flooded forests of the Amazon Basin. It preys on a variety of fish, mammals, small reptiles and birds. They were once endangered, but have now made a steady recovery to a 'Conservation Dependent' status on the IUCN, they are now at lower risk of extinction. This would make a fantastic addition to the roster due to its size and it being the only species of its genus 'Melanosuchus' that included extinct species from the Miocene.
2. Cuban Crocodile - This critically endangered species is found in the Zapata swamp of Cuba and the offshore Isla de la Juventud. It was once widespread across the Caribbean, but now dwindles to its two specific locations. Hunting has decreased their population and cross breeding with American Crocodiles isn't helping either. What is so unique about it to warrant it the 2nd spot, well it is the only crocodile known to have a sustained gallop when pursuing prey, this form of locomotion is unique to crocodiles. They can be quite aggressive towards humans and their galloping gait makes them one of the more dangerous for zookeepers to work with.
1. Nile Crocodile - Of course the top spot goes to the most common crocodile species in captivity. Widespread across Africa and captivity alike, this formidable predator is also found in Madagascar. They feed on large mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and occasionally people. They are the second largest reptile in the world, with the largest specimen being 6.45m in length, only being shadowed by its larger cousin, the Saltwater Crocodile. This iconic African species is a sure-fire addition to Planet Zoo.
If this could be the final roster of crocodilians for Planet Zoo, I could leave the game quite happy with this line-up of nature's finest predators.
The Saltwater Crocodile - The largest crocodilian and reptile in the world, with one of the most powerful bite forces in the animal kingdom. Found from Northern Australia through Indonesia to as far as India. Female salties and other crocodilians are fiercely protective mothers, defending their eggs and hatchlings from any potential threats even if it means putting their life in danger.
The Gharial - One of the most endangered reptiles on the planet and one of the most bizarre crocodilians The most aquatic of the crocodilians and with their long, slender jaws they can sweep them through water at great speed to catch slippery fish in an interlocking set of teeth. They are found in small pockets on the Indian Subcontinent. They are also the third largest reptile in the world.
The Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman - One of the smallest species on the planet reaching a total of 1.4m in length. As nocturnal animals, they will stay in a burrow on the river's edge during the heat of the day and come out in the cool of the night to hunt small animals like fish, amphibians and invertebrates.
The American Alligator - The 8th largest reptile in the world and second largest of the alligator group. They are one of the most common crocodilians in the world, that was on the verge of extinction at a point in time, but has made a full recovery in recent decades. Crocodiles and Alligators can be differentiated in many ways like their jaw shapes, colouration, water preferences and their size.
The Spectacled Caiman - This widespread member of the alligator family is found across Northern South America into countries like Panama, Costa Rica and up to Mexico. These caiman have a diverse diet, consisting primarily of mammals and fish, as well as invertebrates, small reptiles like caiman hatchlings and water birds on the banks of the bodies of water they live in.
But as ancient of a group of animals as crocodilians are, their diversity is apparent in their size, habitat and diets. There are many other species that can be considered for Planet Zoo as they are too cool to miss out on, there are other reasons such as conservation status, regional familiarity and occurrence in zoological institutions. I have confined this list to only number up to 8 species, making a possible total number of species up to 12 crocodilians for players to use. By the end of the game, every different genus of crocodilian should be covered, these are Caiman, Melanosuchus, Paleosuchus, Alligator, Crocodylus, Mecistops, Osteolaemus, Gavialis and Tomistoma.
8. West African Slender-Snouted Crocodile - These critically endangered crocodilians are found in West Africa is places like Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Togo. They are separated between two species, the West African and the Central African Slender-Snouted Crocodile. They are a perfect addition to any Congo exhibition, much like the next crocodilian. Like many crocodilians to be mentioned they will inhabit burrows during the heat of the day or during colder months. They primarily eat fish and amphibians. They are also fairly common in zoos, appearing rapidly in many US and UK zoos.
7. African Dwarf Crocodile - These miniature crocodilians are found across West and Central Africa, found in many rivers and streams. They primarily come out at night much like the Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman. During the day they will dwell in burrows on the rivers' edge. They too are common in many zoos worldwide, from the US to Singapore in a variety of different jungle themed and Congo themed exhibits. They are also vulnerable, often poached for the bushmeat trade.
6. Chinese Alligator - This critically endangered species from China is the smallest and only other alligator in the world. They are far smaller than the American Alligator, but they share their freshwater preference of habitat. Unlike in the wild, Chinese Alligators are found throughout captivity with a population as of 2016 ranging up to 20,000. This large population is probably due to presence in crocodile farms, but they are found throughout zoos around the world.
5. Orinoco Crocodile - This critically endangered crocodile is only found along the Orinoco Basin in Colombia and Venezuela. Their emerald green eyes and sandy, yellow and gold green colouration make them distinct from the American Crocodile which lives along the coastlines of its native countries. They often live alongside the Spectacled Caiman and Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman as they inhabit similar habitats, wetlands and rivers. They are however slightly larger than the American Crocodile as the 4th largest reptile in the world, behind the Gharial, Nile Crocodile and Saltwater Crocodile.
4. False Gharial - This vulnerable crocodilian of Southeast Asia is powerful and ancient species that lives in places like the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra and Java. Their dark reddish colouration with brown or black spots and cross bands on the back and tail make them distinct from many crocodilians. Across its range it is threatened by drainage of its habitat and clearance of surrounding rainforests. The animal itself and its eggs are often subject to poaching and human consumption. This is my personal favourite crocodilian and I would love to see it added to the game.
3. Black Caiman - The Black Caiman is the largest in the alligator family, slightly larger than the American Alligator of the Southern United States. It lives along slow rivers, lakes and flooded forests of the Amazon Basin. It preys on a variety of fish, mammals, small reptiles and birds. They were once endangered, but have now made a steady recovery to a 'Conservation Dependent' status on the IUCN, they are now at lower risk of extinction. This would make a fantastic addition to the roster due to its size and it being the only species of its genus 'Melanosuchus' that included extinct species from the Miocene.
2. Cuban Crocodile - This critically endangered species is found in the Zapata swamp of Cuba and the offshore Isla de la Juventud. It was once widespread across the Caribbean, but now dwindles to its two specific locations. Hunting has decreased their population and cross breeding with American Crocodiles isn't helping either. What is so unique about it to warrant it the 2nd spot, well it is the only crocodile known to have a sustained gallop when pursuing prey, this form of locomotion is unique to crocodiles. They can be quite aggressive towards humans and their galloping gait makes them one of the more dangerous for zookeepers to work with.
1. Nile Crocodile - Of course the top spot goes to the most common crocodile species in captivity. Widespread across Africa and captivity alike, this formidable predator is also found in Madagascar. They feed on large mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and occasionally people. They are the second largest reptile in the world, with the largest specimen being 6.45m in length, only being shadowed by its larger cousin, the Saltwater Crocodile. This iconic African species is a sure-fire addition to Planet Zoo.
If this could be the final roster of crocodilians for Planet Zoo, I could leave the game quite happy with this line-up of nature's finest predators.
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