Reptile Animal Pack

[The_Riot22]

That can be solved by setting a high temperature requirement. What they mean is Snakes are great escape artists and can not be contained in traditional barriers.

Yep. But we're talking about a Green Anaconda, which is literally the snake version of a semi-truck.
They can require a non-climbable barrier with a certain height. To me, the biggest issue is the same as with the Sloth or Snapping Turtle...they just move so slow that they would require Frontier to "goose" their feeding or make them move much faster.

 

[NZFanatic]

They can require a non-climbable barrier with a certain height.

But that would be super unrealistic, and besides, plenty of zoos keep green anaconda in exhibits smaller than the one in-game (remember, it's 4x4x4m; a standardised bedroom in a house is 1/4 smaller than that, and that's a decently large space). I just don't see the need to deviate from the game's precedent of keeping snakes in enclosed terraria, which is more realistic anyway; temperature and humidity control is super important, especially for tropical species.

 

[The_Riot22]

But that would be super unrealistic,

Sure, but doesn't the Crane require a non-climbable on the inside in order to make it non-escapable?

and besides, plenty of zoos keep green anaconda in exhibits smaller than the one in-game (remember, it's 4x4x4m; a standardised bedroom in a house is 1/4 smaller than that, and that's a decently large space). I just don't see the need to deviate from the game's precedent of keeping snakes in enclosed terraria, which is more realistic anyway; temperature and humidity control is super important, especially for tropical species.

Yes. I have also seen Green Anacondas and large Boas in long, thin exhibits 20-30ft long...sorry. 6-10 meters.
I agree that a large customizable exhibit would be best, but that would also be what is best for a snapping turtle. Actually if we are going really realistic, most small mammals, like Aardvarks and Meerkats are also kept in small-ish indoor exhibits, at least in cold-weather places...same with most reptiles as well. So I understand, and mostly agree with, your points, and that Frontier is very unlikely to put a Green Anaconda in a habitat. I'm just saying most of the criteria for putting it in a fully enclosed indoor box can also be applied to other reptiles and small mammals.

With each new reptile we do get, I keep hoping for a heating rock or a heat lamp or something. Still can't believe there is no enrichment item for reptiles for any type of temperature regulation. They put heat lamps for exhibit reptiles, but nothing for habitats.

 

[NZFanatic]

Actually if we are going really realistic, most small mammals, like Aardvarks and Meerkats are also kept in small-ish indoor exhibits, at least in cold-weather places

That simply isn't true. I've only seen meerkats kept in small indoor habitats in a tiny handful of the many zoos I've visited. I live in a cold-weather place and our meerkats are all kept outdoors. I lived in Scotland for a year and besides the St Andrews Aquarium every meerkat habitat I visited was outdoor as well.

The two points simply aren't comparable.

 

[Brandon Gill]

To say that there have been a lot of pack ideas floating around this forum is an understatement. I've seen continent packs, region packs, country packs, bird packs, the list goes on. But you know what hasn't gotten enough appreciation? Reptiles. This is my idea for a Reptile Animal Pack. This isn't a typical animal pack, though. Since including seven habitat reptiles could get repetitive really quickly, I've decided to go for an even 4/4 split of habitat and exhibit animals. Now, let us begin.

Nile Crocodile

I know, another crocodilian, and I understand some people might be against this inclusion. After all, we got two crocodilians in the past year, and while I concede that the crocodilian lineup we have is great, the inclusion of the Nile Crocodile would make it perfect.

Perentie

We haven't got a habitat lizard since launch, and I think that for a third one, the Perentie is a great choice. They look unique from the other two habitat lizards we have, and it'd give us more Australian representation. What's not to like?

Argentine Black and White Tegu

Maybe adding two habitat lizards in one pack after not getting a single one for over two years is presumptuous, but I think there's a strong case for the Tegu's inclusion. They're on the smaller side when it comes to habitat reptiles, but with the males reaching up to 4.5 feet long, I don't think they'd be out of place at all.

Green Sea Turtle

This could have been the Loggerhead, Hawksbill, or Leatherback, but ultimately the Green Sea Turtle won out due to its recognizability and presence in aquariums around the world.

Now for the exhibit animals.

King Cobra

The most requested snake, and for good reason. We already have cobra scenery pieces as part of the Indian theme, so we're bound to get a cobra sooner or later.

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Whether the Alligator Snapping Turtle would be better suited as a habitat animal is debatable due to its size, but hey, if the Green Iguana can be an exhibit animal, it can too.

Northern Caiman Lizard

A gorgeous and surprisingly intelligent lizard species. Not really much else to say here.

Gaboon Viper

Possessing the longest fangs and some of the best camouflage of any snake, the Gaboon Viper would be a stand-out, or should I say, blend-in addition to any reptile house.

Reptiles are a group of animals that I believe deserve a lot more representation, especially when it comes to exhibits. If you made a reptile pack, what reptiles would you include? Discuss it in the comments.

Nice choices

 

[The_Riot22]

That simply isn't true. I've only seen meerkats kept in small indoor habitats in a tiny handful of the many zoos I've visited. I live in a cold-weather place and our meerkats are all kept outdoors. I lived in Scotland for a year and besides the St Andrews Aquarium every meerkat habitat I visited was outdoor as well.

The two points simply aren't comparable.

I should have clarified...they are often kept in indoor areas. Both zoos here in Chicago area do so(or at least they did the last time I went several years ago), and I've been to several others in the northern part of the US that do so as well...in fact. I haven't been to a zoo that kept these small-ish mammals from warm weather environments outdoors.
I think one also had an outdoor area as well as the indoor one, but all the rest only had an indoor area for viewing.
Perhaps we simply have different viewing experiences.

 

[SalamAnders]

I haven't been to a zoo that kept these small-ish mammals from warm weather environments outdoors

When it comes to mammals, even those from warm weather environments are often able to be outdoors for a good part of the year in temperate climates. And even doing the winter, many are still able to get out for a few hours +/- of the day. That is the benefit of fur and being warm-blooded.

While you can find some meerkats in Europe without outdoor areas, it is for sure the most common to keep them with access to an outdoor area here. Many will have both an outdoor and indoor area, and some will be moved to an indoor area over the winter.

 

[lunavinceres]

When it comes to mammals, even those from warm weather environments are often able to be outdoors for a good part of the year in temperate climates. And even doing the winter, many are still able to get out for a few hours +/- of the day. That is the benefit of fur and being warm-blooded.

While you can find some meerkats in Europe without outdoor areas, it is for sure the most common to keep them with access to an outdoor area here. Many will have both an outdoor and indoor area, and some will be moved to an indoor area over the winter.

From what I've seen it is the norm for most mammals in Europe (big and small) to have an indoor and outdoor area. In the UK at least I don't think it would be seen as ethical for animals to have no indoor shelter - it's too cold and there's too much rain. Plus snow in Winter (mainly in the North/Scotland).

Most, if not all, of the reptiles I've seen in Europe have been indoors only. I'm not sure if this is an issue though in PZ though, you have the heaters and you can build an indoor only enclosure if you want to make it seem realistic. I can't imagine snakes in a more open habitat, but you can probably create an exhibit look for your habitat.

 

[NZFanatic]

From what I've seen it is the norm for most mammals in Europe (big and small) to have an indoor and outdoor area.

This isn't what is being discussed, though; what Riot was talking about was that temperate regions are too cold for warm-weather animals to be kept outdoors at all, which simply isn't true. His example of meerkats is refuted by simply going to any zoo that holds them in Europe, or really anywhere in the world.

With reptiles, yes, it is a fair point, but not all reptiles. The discussion started over the merits of the green anaconda being a habitat animal - it simply wouldn't be. There are real-life reasons, certainly (as mentioned, temperature and humidity control are extraordinarily important for reptile husbandry) but in-game the precedent has already been set that most reptiles with limited ranges will be kept in exhibits. The only truly debatable inclusion is the green iguana, IMO; a green anaconda would certainly be an exhibit animal, not that we're likely to ever see another snake in the game.

With regards to the crocodiles and monitors, it's simply a case of size and range; both types of animals tend to move far and wide compared to their exhibit-bound distant cousins. With tortoises, too, I have seen them in plenty of open-air outdoor habitats, and once again given the available choices it seems to be a matter of size over anything else. There isn't a snake in the world that requires more room than a standard bedroom, however, and the in-game exhibit exceeds that (the same argument goes for the iguana, really; 4x4x4 is already ahead of AZA recommendations).

 

[Cotolorynchuseggs]

My reptile animal pack, in 2 formats.
4 habitat + 4 exhibit

1. argentine black and white tegu
2. sulcata tortoise
3. rhinoceros iguana
4. nile softshell turtle
5. king cobra (e)
6. tentacled snake (e)
7. green anaconda (e)
8. emerald tree boa (e)

7 habitat + 1 exhibit

1. argentine black and white tegu
2. sulcata tortoise
3. rhinoceros iguana
4. nile softshell turtle
5. nile crocodile
6. perentie
7. asian water monitor
8. tentacled snake (e)

i feel like this would be a good time to introduce animals that can be in habitats or exhibits
all preexisting animals and animals i suggested in this dlc who would be both

• nile monitor
• green iguana
• lesser Antillean iguana
• cuvier's dwarf caiman
• argentine black and white tegu
• rhinoceros iguana
• asian water monitor

 

[The_Riot22]

When it comes to mammals, even those from warm weather environments are often able to be outdoors for a good part of the year in temperate climates. And even doing the winter, many are still able to get out for a few hours +/- of the day. That is the benefit of fur and being warm-blooded.

While you can find some meerkats in Europe without outdoor areas, it is for sure the most common to keep them with access to an outdoor area here. Many will have both an outdoor and indoor area, and some will be moved to an indoor area over the winter.

I appreciate your comment on this, as NZF doesn't seem to fully understand my position.
I never said northern zoos can't(or don't) keep reptiles and small mammals outdoors. My point was that all the North American zoos I have been to(somewhere between 6-12 different zoos-some large, some small) keep most of their reptiles indoors year-round, as well as most of their small mammals, such as meerkats, aardvarks, porcupines, etc. It is possible these animals did have an outdoor area that wasn't open to the public, but the only place the public could see them was an indoor enclosure...making them defacto indoors only.
I have no idea how European zoos(or zoos around the world for that matter) do things. My opinion was just based on my experience.
I fully understand that my position may not be all that common worldwide.