Probably, although i wouldnt be so sure about that they now which one lives at which place
Most Underrated South American Animal
- Thread starter FlameWizard492
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Fair enough. I wouldn’t know. The topic doesn’t really pop up in the conversations I have every day.Probably, although i wouldnt be so sure about that they now which one lives at which place
I have seen my friend in all seriousness calling the lynx at my local zoo a tiger.
Never underrestimate the cluelessness of the casual people
You’re telling me. Recently, I had to tell a few classmates of mine that lemmings don’t actually hurl themselves off of cliffs.I have seen my friend in all seriousness calling the lynx at my local zoo a tiger.
Never underrestimate the cluelessness of the casual people
A buddy send me a clip of a really cute "beaver" the other day. It was a prairie dog
You just gave me a new idea for a thread.
Never underestimate the stupidity of the general public
I was considering asking you to do this because the NA one was fun.
One other species I have just thought of that definitely doesn't get enough attention in my mind is the grey-winged trumpeter. While not perhaps the most conventionally pretty bird, they are highly sociable and vocal, suitable for keeping in walkthrough, mixed-species and, most importantly, open air outdoor enclosures and would add a bird species from the Amazon rainforest proper - most of the more requested birds are from elsewhere, such as the grassland regions of South America.
Childhood? I still watch it. I bought the whole series
My thoughts of the rankings of Central and South American Animals (not as a local):
I'm going to break this one down by taxa because it's easier for me to think about. Most of the stuff I want is tropical, so by biome wouldn't really make sense here.
Primates:
The golden lion tamarin is my favorite zoo animal, one of SA's biggest conservation icons, and adorable. Anything less that #1 is not good enough for this cutie. I refuse to vote for any other tamarins (though I like them, too) because I don't want one to challenge its supremacy. That said, the cotton top and emperor tamarins are underrated. Even if they must end up in a box, I would be so excited to see them in the game. Marmosets are also common in zoos, but they aren't as cute, and they're so small I'm pretty sure they'll need a box. I kind of think the rank of the black howler monkey and the Geoffroy's spider monkey should be switched, but they both seem decently appreciated. That particular spider monkey comes in a bunch of color variants, is endangered, and is a common zoo animal. The color variants could potentially be used to pretend they are multiple species of New World Primate, which would be useful given how few there are. I love squirrel monkeys, and they also have decent support. Personally I would rank the bald uakari a bit higher despite it being rare in zoos, but I kind of understand if some people are put off by its appearance. They would certainly be a distinct variety pick if the other, much more important species are added. Sakis, of which the bearded is my favorite, are also underrated given how common they are in zoos. Night monkeys are an option for a nocturnal primate, and there are a few with some captive presence in the EAZA.
Most Underrated: Tamarins
Birds:
For habitat birds, I'd say the roseate spoonbill or the scarlet ibis (my favorite) are the most critical addition. A flash of red/pink would add some color to SA sections and they are unique from the other birds in the game. The scarlet ibis is one of the big 4 birds I'd add to the game (though I'd also be happy with the spoonbill), the others being the mute swan, mandarin duck, and grey crowned crane (though I'd accept a secretary bird). An American Flamingo would be nice to contrast against the in-game greater flamingo. Rheas are also good for non-tropical rep, and I'd personally prefer the Darwin's Rhea. The jabiru is interesting, but I don't think it's common in zoos. The red legged seriema, trumpeters, and curassows seem interesting and underrated. If I must pick one underrated habitat bird, I would probably go with the Muscovy duck. They are unique, common in captivity, and have domestic compatibility.
For flying birds, the popularity of macaws and toucans is well justified. The Andean condor, burrowing owl, and harpy eagle are both popular and essential as well. For more obscure options, I would probably pick my favorite bird, the hoatzin. They don't really have a zoo presence anymore, but they are extremely interesting from a visual and taxonomic perspective. Quetzals, conures, and blue footed boobies also seem interesting and possible, but I'm not sure that they're underrated. Hummingbirds would be cool if they work.
Most Underrated: Muscovy duck and Hoatzin, Maybe Blue footed booby for the Galapagos?
Carnivorans:
The South American Coati is extremely popular. I actually wouldn't mind if they added both species. I don't really think it's overrated. The popularity of the ocelot and spectacled bear also makes sense. The bush dog has some fans, and a SA fox might be good for dog taxa completion, but it's nowhere near as important as the others. I think the Margay cat is very underrated for an ocelot alternative, especially if they add tamarins. They hunt them, and it would be similar to the fossa. I wouldn't be too upset if we got an ocelot instead. The pampas cat, Andean cat, and jaguarundi seem possible, but I don't think they are or should be high priority. The most underrated carnivoran is probably the kinkajou. They are cute, nocturnal, and unlike much else we have. They are a member of the raccoon family, and one I'd heard of as a kid while I somehow didn't know what a coati was until I got here. The tayra is possible, but I don't really think it's underrated.
Most underrated: Kinkajou and Margay Cat
Ungulates:
The rating of the collared peccary makes sense. I also think guanacos and/or vicuñas are underrated. A wild camelid would be a cute addition. Deer are underrated. The pudu is probably more popular, and I like it as a candidate. My favorite, though not often kept out of its native range, is the marsh deer. It looks like a maned wolf color-wise, and I saw a cute video of a marsh deer playing with a maned wolf. Marsh deer look different from any deer we have and have aquatic behavior. The white tailed deer is also an option that would cover NA.
Most Underrated: Deer
Other Habitat Animals:
Maybe I'm one of few that thinks this, but I saw the tamandua as a critical pick the moment the sloth went into a box. The tamandua would provide an alternate arboreal critter from that family that would work well in an Amazon house. I also agree with others here that agoutis are deeply underrated, and I would personally go with the red rumped (as long as it's a reddish tropical one, I don't actually care) to get an Amazon agouti. I don't think a second armadillo is necessary, and they aren't very popular anyway. The popularity of the Patagonian mara makes sense. I think the Brazilian porcupine is sort of underrated and should definitely be prioritized over the North American. There are a few other rodents (paca, pacarana, viscacha, etc.) that are underrated, maybe, but I don't think they're as important as the others mentioned.
Most Underrated: Southern Tamandua and Agoutis
Small Exhibit Animals/Reptiles:
The Emerald Tree Boa is my favorite, and I'm glad it has such a high ranking. Eyelash vipers, blue poison frogs, green anaconda, and mata mata turtles are also decently appreciated and cool. The Argentine tegu is underrated, especially if they could get it to work in a habitat.
Most Underrated: Argentine Tegu (I hope it's a habitat animal, though!)
I'm going to break this one down by taxa because it's easier for me to think about. Most of the stuff I want is tropical, so by biome wouldn't really make sense here.
Primates:
The golden lion tamarin is my favorite zoo animal, one of SA's biggest conservation icons, and adorable. Anything less that #1 is not good enough for this cutie. I refuse to vote for any other tamarins (though I like them, too) because I don't want one to challenge its supremacy. That said, the cotton top and emperor tamarins are underrated. Even if they must end up in a box, I would be so excited to see them in the game. Marmosets are also common in zoos, but they aren't as cute, and they're so small I'm pretty sure they'll need a box. I kind of think the rank of the black howler monkey and the Geoffroy's spider monkey should be switched, but they both seem decently appreciated. That particular spider monkey comes in a bunch of color variants, is endangered, and is a common zoo animal. The color variants could potentially be used to pretend they are multiple species of New World Primate, which would be useful given how few there are. I love squirrel monkeys, and they also have decent support. Personally I would rank the bald uakari a bit higher despite it being rare in zoos, but I kind of understand if some people are put off by its appearance. They would certainly be a distinct variety pick if the other, much more important species are added. Sakis, of which the bearded is my favorite, are also underrated given how common they are in zoos. Night monkeys are an option for a nocturnal primate, and there are a few with some captive presence in the EAZA.
Most Underrated: Tamarins
Birds:
For habitat birds, I'd say the roseate spoonbill or the scarlet ibis (my favorite) are the most critical addition. A flash of red/pink would add some color to SA sections and they are unique from the other birds in the game. The scarlet ibis is one of the big 4 birds I'd add to the game (though I'd also be happy with the spoonbill), the others being the mute swan, mandarin duck, and grey crowned crane (though I'd accept a secretary bird). An American Flamingo would be nice to contrast against the in-game greater flamingo. Rheas are also good for non-tropical rep, and I'd personally prefer the Darwin's Rhea. The jabiru is interesting, but I don't think it's common in zoos. The red legged seriema, trumpeters, and curassows seem interesting and underrated. If I must pick one underrated habitat bird, I would probably go with the Muscovy duck. They are unique, common in captivity, and have domestic compatibility.
For flying birds, the popularity of macaws and toucans is well justified. The Andean condor, burrowing owl, and harpy eagle are both popular and essential as well. For more obscure options, I would probably pick my favorite bird, the hoatzin. They don't really have a zoo presence anymore, but they are extremely interesting from a visual and taxonomic perspective. Quetzals, conures, and blue footed boobies also seem interesting and possible, but I'm not sure that they're underrated. Hummingbirds would be cool if they work.
Most Underrated: Muscovy duck and Hoatzin, Maybe Blue footed booby for the Galapagos?
Carnivorans:
The South American Coati is extremely popular. I actually wouldn't mind if they added both species. I don't really think it's overrated. The popularity of the ocelot and spectacled bear also makes sense. The bush dog has some fans, and a SA fox might be good for dog taxa completion, but it's nowhere near as important as the others. I think the Margay cat is very underrated for an ocelot alternative, especially if they add tamarins. They hunt them, and it would be similar to the fossa. I wouldn't be too upset if we got an ocelot instead. The pampas cat, Andean cat, and jaguarundi seem possible, but I don't think they are or should be high priority. The most underrated carnivoran is probably the kinkajou. They are cute, nocturnal, and unlike much else we have. They are a member of the raccoon family, and one I'd heard of as a kid while I somehow didn't know what a coati was until I got here. The tayra is possible, but I don't really think it's underrated.
Most underrated: Kinkajou and Margay Cat
Ungulates:
The rating of the collared peccary makes sense. I also think guanacos and/or vicuñas are underrated. A wild camelid would be a cute addition. Deer are underrated. The pudu is probably more popular, and I like it as a candidate. My favorite, though not often kept out of its native range, is the marsh deer. It looks like a maned wolf color-wise, and I saw a cute video of a marsh deer playing with a maned wolf. Marsh deer look different from any deer we have and have aquatic behavior. The white tailed deer is also an option that would cover NA.
Most Underrated: Deer
Other Habitat Animals:
Maybe I'm one of few that thinks this, but I saw the tamandua as a critical pick the moment the sloth went into a box. The tamandua would provide an alternate arboreal critter from that family that would work well in an Amazon house. I also agree with others here that agoutis are deeply underrated, and I would personally go with the red rumped (as long as it's a reddish tropical one, I don't actually care) to get an Amazon agouti. I don't think a second armadillo is necessary, and they aren't very popular anyway. The popularity of the Patagonian mara makes sense. I think the Brazilian porcupine is sort of underrated and should definitely be prioritized over the North American. There are a few other rodents (paca, pacarana, viscacha, etc.) that are underrated, maybe, but I don't think they're as important as the others mentioned.
Most Underrated: Southern Tamandua and Agoutis
Small Exhibit Animals/Reptiles:
The Emerald Tree Boa is my favorite, and I'm glad it has such a high ranking. Eyelash vipers, blue poison frogs, green anaconda, and mata mata turtles are also decently appreciated and cool. The Argentine tegu is underrated, especially if they could get it to work in a habitat.
Most Underrated: Argentine Tegu (I hope it's a habitat animal, though!)
Here's two cool small mammals that receive next to no attention I'd like to highlight:
First of all, there's the yapok. While the Virginia opossum is by far the most famous New World marsupial (to the point where many people think they're the only one), opossums are actually far more diverse in Latin America where they occupy a great variety of different lifestyles and habitats. This includes the most aquatic of all marsupials, the yapok or water opossum, which ranges from southern Mexico down into northern Argentina. About the size of a meerkat, they're extremely rare in zoos outside of their native range (only recently at the Dallas World Aquarium to my knowledge, and not anymore) but are still kept in Latin America, and would be a very unique choice for a New World marsupial.
Larger in size and in international captive presence, the plains viscacha is currently kept in 7 EAZA zoos and would be my choice for a chinchillid species to add to the game. Weighing up to 9 kilograms and half a metre long, they're nearly as big as a small Patagonian mara, and like them they prefers open plains habitats - this includes both subtropical grasslands and arid scrubland. They have attractive banding on their faces that makes them more than just another greyish rodent!
First of all, there's the yapok. While the Virginia opossum is by far the most famous New World marsupial (to the point where many people think they're the only one), opossums are actually far more diverse in Latin America where they occupy a great variety of different lifestyles and habitats. This includes the most aquatic of all marsupials, the yapok or water opossum, which ranges from southern Mexico down into northern Argentina. About the size of a meerkat, they're extremely rare in zoos outside of their native range (only recently at the Dallas World Aquarium to my knowledge, and not anymore) but are still kept in Latin America, and would be a very unique choice for a New World marsupial.
Larger in size and in international captive presence, the plains viscacha is currently kept in 7 EAZA zoos and would be my choice for a chinchillid species to add to the game. Weighing up to 9 kilograms and half a metre long, they're nearly as big as a small Patagonian mara, and like them they prefers open plains habitats - this includes both subtropical grasslands and arid scrubland. They have attractive banding on their faces that makes them more than just another greyish rodent!
Never heard of the yapok, but I like it. Cool share!
I'd never heard of these before but I think they're gorgeous! Those blue feathers on the throat are so pretty.
#1: white-faced whistling duck. Beautiful waterfowl that can be used for Africa and South America. What’s not to like!
#2: large freshwater turtles of Amazonia, like Arrau river turtle or yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle.
#3: some of the less popular New World monkey choices, especially bald uakari and cotton-top tamarin, that lose out to the more popular and widespread species for understandable reasons.
#4: red-legged seriema. Only because it’s a neat-looking, distinct bird that’s kept in zoos, mostly terrestrial, but rarely talked about on here afaik.
#2: large freshwater turtles of Amazonia, like Arrau river turtle or yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle.
#3: some of the less popular New World monkey choices, especially bald uakari and cotton-top tamarin, that lose out to the more popular and widespread species for understandable reasons.
#4: red-legged seriema. Only because it’s a neat-looking, distinct bird that’s kept in zoos, mostly terrestrial, but rarely talked about on here afaik.
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