I agree with a lot of what you say, even if I don’t necessarily agree with the particular choices (I don’t particularly care about the red fox, for example, though I can totally see the argument). As you’ve noted, the approach leaves out Oceania to a large extent (for obvious and totally justifiable reasons) but I do think that one (or maybe even two) birds could be included that migrate from Australia up to Asia…. A fair few wetland/aquatic birds might work?
Ranking the areas still requiring animals
- Thread starter yoav_r
- Start date
Question for all the american people.
The american prairie is among the most iconic grasslands on the Planet, but we allready have its most iconic animals from an outsiders perspective, but are there any animals youd still like to see?
While id love to see the black footed ferrer in the game, it be interesting to hear what you guys think
The american prairie is among the most iconic grasslands on the Planet, but we allready have its most iconic animals from an outsiders perspective, but are there any animals youd still like to see?
While id love to see the black footed ferrer in the game, it be interesting to hear what you guys think
What zoo animal is even left from the american prairie?
Roadrunner!
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Coyote, nine-banded armadillo, and elk, as well as the previously mentioned black-footed ferret and roadrunner.
Of these, the only one I'd particularly like to see is the coyote, and I of course know that it would be a wildly unpopular choice. The ferret would be fine for its conservation status (formerly extinct in the wild, now endangered) but it's not one I'm clamoring for. Same for the roadrunner, any bird is a major positive but in my eyes it's low priority as far as birds go. I wouldn't hate getting an armadillo, but I'd much prefer a different species. And then the elk would just be a letdown, as the only full-sized deer I'm interested in at this point are white-tailed or especially Pere David's.
Are there coyotes and nine banded armadillos in zoos?
Yup. In NA
Kinda weird putting in zoos animals which are common enough as roadkill
So is red fox, badger and raccoon dog for example.
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Bighorn Sheep and Coyotes immediately spring to mind.
I assume the Mexican Grey Wolf would be seen as a prairie animal as well, at least historically (range below). While another grey wolf is not really desirable, I do miss it sometimes since it seems to be the subspecies AZA zoos tends to focus on since it is endangered.
Plus the "Timber wolf" can't withstand high tempratures in the game so it can't even substitute properly. I usually use the Dhole or Dingo as alternatives to hot climate wolves.
Of course there was wolf subspecies native to american prairies, but it got extripated from american plains. (Or still exist, depending on subspecies classification)
Great Plains Wolf - Canis Lupus Nubils
Mexican Gray Wolf is more chihuahuan desert dweller. Could be neat addition in desert pack or something.
Great Plains Wolf - Canis Lupus Nubils
Mexican Gray Wolf is more chihuahuan desert dweller. Could be neat addition in desert pack or something.
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Red wolf for aniversery anyone?
Coyotes are quite common in the US, absolutely. Anecdotally, I've seen them more frequently than I have gray wolves. I think zoos with less space or resources often favor them over wolves, in addition to zoos showcasing actually local species (coyotes can be found all across the country, but gray wolves have a much more restricted range within the US itself).
Nine-banded armadillos certainly have a presence too, but I've never actually seen one on exhibit. I think most zoos that have them use them strictly as ambassador species. Typically if an armadillo is on display, it's either the southern three-banded armadillo or the screaming hairy armadillo, I think.
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I'd love this. I posted about them recently, but they're a conservation story in the making and their presence in US zoos is exploding. Fewer than 20 individuals remain in the wild, and zoos are lining up to get them. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up with a greater US zoo footprint than gray wolves within a decade or two at this rate.
Of course, canids have a very mixed reception and the red wolf isn't super visually distinct from our current wolf, so I don't think they'd be all that popular overall.
Here’s my opinion. I really want packs that go around the world, I’d like all animal packs to have at least 1 per continent with considering areas that have lack of representation.
- North Africa: I think there could be some more love to. Striped hyena, caracal, hamadryads baboon
- Tropical Africa: maybe another monkey but other then that I think we have enough
- Madagascar: personally we have enough lemurs and I’m not that interested in fossa
- Sub-saharan Africa (non tropical) I think we got plenty
- Asia
- Middle East: Markhor, striped hyena
- Central Asia: takin, golden pheasant
- India: blackbuck
- Japan: Tanuki
- Northern Asia: Takin
- East Asia: idk
- South-east Asia: I think we have enough
- Europe: I think we need a few more European animals as Europe is lacking behind. Wisents, red foxes, Barbary macaque
- North America
- Mexico/Central America: peccaries, armadillos, coatis. that also gives Southwestern USA some representation.
- Canada and Alaska: having lived in Alaska and living in the northern part of the country, Id certainly love more inclusion of Coastal mountain goats, Wolverines, coyotes, sea otters, elk.
- South America
- Patagonia and Pampas: rheas, manned wolves
- Andes: Spectacled bear
- Tropical South America: howler monkeys
- Oceania
- New Guinea: tree kangaroo
- New Zealand: kiwi
- Australia: t devils, wombats, wallaroos, wallaby’s, lyrebird
- Antarctica: I think we are good on penguins and the seals out there are not exactly zoo suitable
Hot take: Animal packs and the selection in game would suffer if they would be 1 per continent.
1. Not every continent can contribute to every theme.
A temperate pack should be dominated by animals from eurasia and north america, meanwhile a tropical pack should and would never have an european animal.
2. The gap between the continents is to large allready.
Africa and Asia are way to far ahead allready.
NA is okay, but the racoon, collared peccary, a bird and honestly even mire birds are still dearly missed with open niches.
Europe is okay from the outside, but pretty much still gapping glaring holes when viewed from the inside.
SA is a disaster, a lost cause needing atleast an animal pack worth of animals for a meaningfull comeback, needing dire attention.
And Oceania? Oh dear Oceania, may we bless the day when we need 2 numbers instead of one to spell out your animal count.
3. It honestly sucks for pack diversity. If we can expect that every pack features something from every continent +1 extra, wouldnt that be kind of samey?
1. Not every continent can contribute to every theme.
A temperate pack should be dominated by animals from eurasia and north america, meanwhile a tropical pack should and would never have an european animal.
2. The gap between the continents is to large allready.
Africa and Asia are way to far ahead allready.
NA is okay, but the racoon, collared peccary, a bird and honestly even mire birds are still dearly missed with open niches.
Europe is okay from the outside, but pretty much still gapping glaring holes when viewed from the inside.
SA is a disaster, a lost cause needing atleast an animal pack worth of animals for a meaningfull comeback, needing dire attention.
And Oceania? Oh dear Oceania, may we bless the day when we need 2 numbers instead of one to spell out your animal count.
3. It honestly sucks for pack diversity. If we can expect that every pack features something from every continent +1 extra, wouldnt that be kind of samey?
I'd argue Oceania doesn't need to get a lot more, just a few more. South America on other hand... well that's just sad.