Ive seen a couple of people mention this, but I figure the more that do, the more likely it would be implemented: It would be amazing if animals like zebras, giraffes, etc. could eat grass and plants to partially fill their nutrition, it would add a bit of realism to the game, and would make it possible to create a more natural experience for the guests and animals. I dont think it would be too hard to implement, as the habitats already keep track of how much grass and foliage is in a habitat, so there could be a nutritional value added to them, im not a programmer, but it seems like the foundation is there to implement this kind of mechanic. It would improve the fun of the game for me a lot, because I really want to be able to create a large nature preserve (conservation is an important aspect in the game after all) and this isnt possible in the game at the moment.
Grazing Mechanics
- Thread starter chloeismagic
- Start date
![[VR] Deggial](https://forums-cdn.zaonce.net/data/avatars/m/47/47252.jpg?1553527110){kind=avatar}
I don't think, this would be especially hard to implement. Maybe it would make some habitats more enjoyable for players and also a more natural experience for our virtual guests.
One thing, it would not be, though: Realistic.
It's not without reason that grazing animals need huge areas to rove around in real life.
And it's not coincidental, that grazing animals' enclosures usually feature sandy grounds and no unprotected/reachable foliage in real zoos.
I haven't found data on wild animals (I was not looking hard
), but horses might be a good reference nevertheless.
A single horse needs 2500 square meters to graze. This area has to be split in 4 or 5 sections, which will be used in shifts so that the grass can re-grow. (Source, German).
A goat apparently needs 1000 square meters, as far as I've found.
Antilopae might be frugal, but even a huge enclosure would not be able to feed a larger group of them sustainably.
Not to mention larger herbivores like wild beasts, buffaloes or giraffes.
One thing, it would not be, though: Realistic.
It's not without reason that grazing animals need huge areas to rove around in real life.
And it's not coincidental, that grazing animals' enclosures usually feature sandy grounds and no unprotected/reachable foliage in real zoos.
I haven't found data on wild animals (I was not looking hard
), but horses might be a good reference nevertheless.A single horse needs 2500 square meters to graze. This area has to be split in 4 or 5 sections, which will be used in shifts so that the grass can re-grow. (Source, German).
A goat apparently needs 1000 square meters, as far as I've found.
Antilopae might be frugal, but even a huge enclosure would not be able to feed a larger group of them sustainably.
Not to mention larger herbivores like wild beasts, buffaloes or giraffes.
you can easily make a 2500 sq meter habitat in planet zoo and wayy bigger, the maps are giant. This mechanic is intended for nature preserve type zoos, which I really enjoy to make, and loved making them in zoo tycoon, i cant remeber if they could graze in that game or not, but i remeber you could easily keep them fed in a map sized enclosure with enough keepers in freeform mode at least. You can't actually support a really large enclosure like that even in sandbox mode in planet zoo which is unfortunate and would be really cool! Edit, ive measured the map: (i went to 50 segments of 10 meter long fences, which was about halfway, so im estimating.), its about 1000 meters long on each side, so the full map is 1,000,000 square meters, if my math is right, i think that it could fit plenty of grazing creatures if one horse only need 2500.
Last edited:
The thing is, it's not Planet Nature Reserve. You might be able to build a nature reserve, but that isn't the game's intended purpose. Zoos often let animals graze on lawns, but it's extremely rare to let them eat from wild plants. I would be happy with bison, pronghorn, etc. wandering around in groups and eating grass, but nothing beyond that.
I dont think that doesnt mean you shouldnt be able to make them lol, especially in a game where conservation is very important. I dont see why it would be a problem, they could probably even make it toggleable if it was added like many other features already are.
I'd love to see a grazing mechanic implemented, even if just for a new behavior/purely cosmetic and not for feeding at all.
If I recall right, ZT2's grazing animals could nibble grass or even eat/destroy certain plants, but it gave little benefit to their hunger and they still required proper feeding. I know PZ and ZT2 are different, but it would be neat to see a similar thing added for the sake of appearing as realism.
*If the animals don't already have a grazing action. I've been watching and I'm not certain I've witnessed it or not.
If I recall right, ZT2's grazing animals could nibble grass or even eat/destroy certain plants, but it gave little benefit to their hunger and they still required proper feeding. I know PZ and ZT2 are different, but it would be neat to see a similar thing added for the sake of appearing as realism.
*If the animals don't already have a grazing action. I've been watching and I'm not certain I've witnessed it or not.
*If the animals don't already have a grazing action. I've been watching and I'm not certain I've witnessed it or not.
There are still times where I wonder if the grass grows in Planet Zoo. I've gone back to habitats after many in-game years and found that the animals now say there is too much long grass.
I'm probably just very sloppy with the terrain paint tool when I'm doing something next to the habitat though. Having grass that grows and grazing animals does sound like a sweet game mechanic though.
Yea i think it would be fine if it was just cosmetic, though then I would like them for it somehow to be easier to feed large enclosures fast enough before your animals starve, that was the main reason I wanted it implemented, also for the naturalistic feel, although I didnt anticipate there would be people who didnt like that, but I can see how it might change gameplay too much for some people if it did effect their hunger status. But yea i have a very vivid image in my head of a ZT2 ibex eating one of those little round alpine grass patch plants seared into my brain, so i feel like they could eat plants. As for planet zoo I havent seen any grazing animations but maybe I havent been watching them for long enough.I'd love to see a grazing mechanic implemented, even if just for a new behavior/purely cosmetic and not for feeding at all.
If I recall right, ZT2's grazing animals could nibble grass or even eat/destroy certain plants, but it gave little benefit to their hunger and they still required proper feeding. I know PZ and ZT2 are different, but it would be neat to see a similar thing added for the sake of appearing as realism.
*If the animals don't already have a grazing action. I've been watching and I'm not certain I've witnessed it or not.