Since the idea of Separate Exhibit Packs saw some traction in the News Thread, I decided to dedicate a thread to this idea in Suggestions. Here, I've come up with several Exhibit/WE Pack Ideas with different Themes. Perhaps they could serve as an inspiration for Frontier to design Exhibit Animal Packs, without compromising the Regular DLC Pattern, but at the same time beefing up the very much needed Small Animal Roster, which are Staples in Zoos, that we need to make Realistic Builds in the game.
These are not Personal Choices, but a Summary of wanted Exhibit Animals based on the Exhibit Animals Meta-Wishlist, as well as elsewhere on the Forums. If I have missed any Favourites, please let me know!
Some people might be wondering why Potentially Dangerous Animals are WE. The reason is, I am recommending to use the WE System/Box for their specific needs, barrier type and appropriate animations, so even when I specify a species as WE, it doesn't necessarily mean there should be a path inside. This option will have to be turned on and off by default for different species in the future anyway, if Frontier wants to add different types of Aviary Birds as WE.
For the time being, I excluded Birds from the Lineups, to be able see how Frontier handles each Subcategory of Aviary Birds. Exceptions were Beachcombers and Friendly Neighbour Packs, which honestly craved Birds to feel anywhere complete. Be my guest to include more Birds in your Lineups, I am planning to keep this Thread up-to-date, as the game adds more content and features, allowing for more ideas. Despite all these Themed Lineups I came up with, there are still many Species waiting to be included in Pack Ideas. Looking forward to the Unique Themes and Lineups you guys will come up with in Comments!
These are not Personal Choices, but a Summary of wanted Exhibit Animals based on the Exhibit Animals Meta-Wishlist, as well as elsewhere on the Forums. If I have missed any Favourites, please let me know!
Creepy Crawlers/Crawlies
1. King Baboon Spider [E]
2. African Giant Millipede [E]
3. Little Barrier Giant Weta [E]
4. Hercules Beetle [E]
5. Lord Howe Island Stick Insect [E]
6. Hairy-Headed Leafcutter Ant [E]
7. Banana or Leopard Slug [E]
8. Naked Mole-Rat [E]
Honourable Mention: Etruscan Shrew [E]. Since adding Mammals is already a stretch for the Theme, I wanted to keep it to just 1 Species.
1. King Baboon Spider [E]
2. African Giant Millipede [E]
3. Little Barrier Giant Weta [E]
4. Hercules Beetle [E]
5. Lord Howe Island Stick Insect [E]
6. Hairy-Headed Leafcutter Ant [E]
7. Banana or Leopard Slug [E]
8. Naked Mole-Rat [E]
Honourable Mention: Etruscan Shrew [E]. Since adding Mammals is already a stretch for the Theme, I wanted to keep it to just 1 Species.
Night Hunters
1. Common Vampire Bat [WE]
2. Ghost Bat [WE]
3. Tokay Gecko [E]
4. Tuatara [E]
5. Sugar Glider [WE]
6. Spectral or Philippine Tarsier [WE]
7. Kowari [E]
8. Streaked or Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec [E]
A Pack focusing on Nocturnal Hunters, some of which are Predators of Animals their own Size (or larger in the case of the hematophagous Vampire Bat), others are mainly Insectivores, while some are also Omnivorous. Moths [WE] would have been a good addition to a Nocturnal Pack, but this one focuses on Hunters.
1. Common Vampire Bat [WE]
2. Ghost Bat [WE]
3. Tokay Gecko [E]
4. Tuatara [E]
5. Sugar Glider [WE]
6. Spectral or Philippine Tarsier [WE]
7. Kowari [E]
8. Streaked or Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec [E]
A Pack focusing on Nocturnal Hunters, some of which are Predators of Animals their own Size (or larger in the case of the hematophagous Vampire Bat), others are mainly Insectivores, while some are also Omnivorous. Moths [WE] would have been a good addition to a Nocturnal Pack, but this one focuses on Hunters.
Canopy Dwellers
1. Linnaeus's Two-Toed Sloth [WE]
2. Indian Flying Fox [WE]
3. Silky Anteater [WE]
4. Philippine Flying Lemur (Colugo) [WE]
5. Siberian Flying Squirrel [WE]
6. Mexican Alligator Lizard [E]
7. Green Tree Python [E]
8. Peacock Tarantula [E]
A Pack focusing on the Specialised Niche of High Forest Canopy Inhabitants. I chose the Green Tree Python over Emerald Tree Boa for this Theme, since adults of the latter are generalists when it comes to High Canopy and Understory preferences, sometimes even preferring the Understory. In contrast, adults of the Green Tree Python prefer the High Canopy, whenever available, especially during the day.
1. Linnaeus's Two-Toed Sloth [WE]
2. Indian Flying Fox [WE]
3. Silky Anteater [WE]
4. Philippine Flying Lemur (Colugo) [WE]
5. Siberian Flying Squirrel [WE]
6. Mexican Alligator Lizard [E]
7. Green Tree Python [E]
8. Peacock Tarantula [E]
A Pack focusing on the Specialised Niche of High Forest Canopy Inhabitants. I chose the Green Tree Python over Emerald Tree Boa for this Theme, since adults of the latter are generalists when it comes to High Canopy and Understory preferences, sometimes even preferring the Understory. In contrast, adults of the Green Tree Python prefer the High Canopy, whenever available, especially during the day.
Sleek Climbers/Arboreal Wonders
1. Veiled Chameleon [E]
2. Frilled Lizard [E]
3. Blue-Spotted Tree Monitor [E]
4. Emerald Tree Boa [E]
5. Northern Treeshrew [E/WE]
6. Senegal Bushbaby [WE]
7. Grey Mouse Lemur [WE]
8. Australian Green Tree Frog [E]
Why another Tree Frog, you might wonder. Simply because it is very common in Zoo Collections. Stars like Chameleon and Frilled Lizard will sell the Pack, while Players get a Common Zoo Species that they might have passed buying otherwise. This 2nd Arboreal Pack has a more Generic Theme, since these Animals are not necessarily High Canopy Species. An Exception is the Green Tree Frog, which can be a High Canopy Species in Primary Forests, but also rather Terrestrial and Semi-Aquatic in other Habitats.
1. Veiled Chameleon [E]
2. Frilled Lizard [E]
3. Blue-Spotted Tree Monitor [E]
4. Emerald Tree Boa [E]
5. Northern Treeshrew [E/WE]
6. Senegal Bushbaby [WE]
7. Grey Mouse Lemur [WE]
8. Australian Green Tree Frog [E]
Why another Tree Frog, you might wonder. Simply because it is very common in Zoo Collections. Stars like Chameleon and Frilled Lizard will sell the Pack, while Players get a Common Zoo Species that they might have passed buying otherwise. This 2nd Arboreal Pack has a more Generic Theme, since these Animals are not necessarily High Canopy Species. An Exception is the Green Tree Frog, which can be a High Canopy Species in Primary Forests, but also rather Terrestrial and Semi-Aquatic in other Habitats.
Drylanders
1. Central Bearded Dragon [E]
2. Horned Lizard (Any Species) [E]
3. Common Leopard Gecko [E]
4. Pancake Tortoise [E]
5. California Kingsnake [E]
6. Golden Mole (Any Species) [E]
7. Pink Fairy Armadillo [E]
8. Mound-Building Termites [E]
Honourable Mentions: Chuckwalla [E], Common Agama [E], Giant Girdled Lizard [E]. It would have been too many Lizards have I included these. Tried choosing the most appropriate Lizards for the Theme. Chuckwalla is also very suitable, but ran out of Lizard Slots. Maybe for a different Pack Idea. California Kingsnake is a bit of a Stretch, but they are Habitat Generalists, ranging from Deserts and Chaparral to Forests.
1. Central Bearded Dragon [E]
2. Horned Lizard (Any Species) [E]
3. Common Leopard Gecko [E]
4. Pancake Tortoise [E]
5. California Kingsnake [E]
6. Golden Mole (Any Species) [E]
7. Pink Fairy Armadillo [E]
8. Mound-Building Termites [E]
Honourable Mentions: Chuckwalla [E], Common Agama [E], Giant Girdled Lizard [E]. It would have been too many Lizards have I included these. Tried choosing the most appropriate Lizards for the Theme. Chuckwalla is also very suitable, but ran out of Lizard Slots. Maybe for a different Pack Idea. California Kingsnake is a bit of a Stretch, but they are Habitat Generalists, ranging from Deserts and Chaparral to Forests.
Puddle Mudders
1. Alligator Snapping Turtle [E]
2. Hellbender [E]
3. Plumed Basilisk [E]
4. Northern Caiman Lizard [E]
5. Sailfin Dragon/Lizard (Any Species) [E]
6. Chinese Softshell Turtle [E]
7. Cottonmouth [E]
8. Green Anaconda [E]
Honourable Mentions: Asian Water Dragon [E] and Reticulated Python [E]. Another Semi-Aquatic Lizard would have been too much for the same pack. Also I wanted to limit the Snake Count, choosing the most appropriate 2 for the Theme. A Frog would have been nice, increasing the Amphibian Count to 2 in the pack.
1. Alligator Snapping Turtle [E]
2. Hellbender [E]
3. Plumed Basilisk [E]
4. Northern Caiman Lizard [E]
5. Sailfin Dragon/Lizard (Any Species) [E]
6. Chinese Softshell Turtle [E]
7. Cottonmouth [E]
8. Green Anaconda [E]
Honourable Mentions: Asian Water Dragon [E] and Reticulated Python [E]. Another Semi-Aquatic Lizard would have been too much for the same pack. Also I wanted to limit the Snake Count, choosing the most appropriate 2 for the Theme. A Frog would have been nice, increasing the Amphibian Count to 2 in the pack.
Toxicity Matters/Toxic Matters
1. King Cobra [E]
2. Eastern Copperhead [E]
3. Black Mamba [E]
4. Hispaniolan Solenodon [E]
5. Cane Toad [E]
6. Blue/Dyeing Poison Dart Frog [E]
7. Yellow-Banded Poison Dart Frog [E]
8. Australian Funnel-Web Spider (Any Species) [E]
Honourable Mention: Madagascar Tomato Frog [E]. Found a better fitting Theme for this animal later.
1. King Cobra [E]
2. Eastern Copperhead [E]
3. Black Mamba [E]
4. Hispaniolan Solenodon [E]
5. Cane Toad [E]
6. Blue/Dyeing Poison Dart Frog [E]
7. Yellow-Banded Poison Dart Frog [E]
8. Australian Funnel-Web Spider (Any Species) [E]
Honourable Mention: Madagascar Tomato Frog [E]. Found a better fitting Theme for this animal later.
Camouflaging Master/Masters of Disguise
1. Panther Chameleon [E]
2. Thorny Devil [E]
3. Mata Mata [E]
4. Surinam Toad (Pipa pipa) [E]
5. Gaboon Viper [E]
6. Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Any Species) [E]
7. Orchid Mantis [E]
8. Giant Asian Stick Insect (Phobaeticus serratipes) [E]
Honourable Mention:Leaf-Tailed Gecko [E]. Since we already have Leopard and Tokay Geckos in different lineups, I didn't want to go for a 3rd, when there are other options.
1. Panther Chameleon [E]
2. Thorny Devil [E]
3. Mata Mata [E]
4. Surinam Toad (Pipa pipa) [E]
5. Gaboon Viper [E]
6. Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Any Species) [E]
7. Orchid Mantis [E]
8. Giant Asian Stick Insect (Phobaeticus serratipes) [E]
Honourable Mention:
Friendly Neighbours
1. Western European Hedgehog [WE]
2. Hermann's or Greek Tortoise [WE]
3. Box Turtle (Any Species) [E/WE]
4. Corn Snake [E]
5. Seba's Short-Tailed Bat [WE]
6. Barn Owl [WE]
7. Hummingbird (Any Species) [WE]
8. Western Honey Bee [E/WE]
Honourable Mentions:Originally I wanted to add a Snake to this Category, likely the Corn Snake [E], a Garter Snake [E] or a Kingsnake [E], since these are benign, even useful species to Humans. Later decided to keep Snakes out due to Phobias and Friendliness not going together well. But I might revisit this decision later. Other Honourable Mentions are Barn Swallow [WE], Sheltopusik [E] and European Pond Turtle [E]. But not Red-Eared Slider [E], since it is Invasive in parts of the World. Needs a different Theme.
1. Western European Hedgehog [WE]
2. Hermann's or Greek Tortoise [WE]
3. Box Turtle (Any Species) [E/WE]
4. Corn Snake [E]
5. Seba's Short-Tailed Bat [WE]
6. Barn Owl [WE]
7. Hummingbird (Any Species) [WE]
8. Western Honey Bee [E/WE]
Honourable Mentions:
Beachcombers
1. Coconut Crab [E]
2. Caribbean Hermit Crab [E]
3. Horseshoe Crab (Any Species) [E]
4. Mudskipper (Any Species) [E]
5. Banded Sea Krait [E]
6. Painted Terrapin (Batagur) [E]
7. Fiji Banded or Fiji Crested or Lau Banded Iguana [E]
8. Plover or Sandpiper (Any Species) [WE]
A Pack with a focus on Coastal Wildlife. Some of these are a bit of a Stretch, since it is difficult to find Exhibit Species for this Theme. Maybe more Birds in the future, when Frontier gives us clues about various Subcategories of Birds and their Enclosure Types. Another thing is, people can argue that Shorebirds like Plovers and Sandpipers can easily be Habitat Animals, then in that case we need another animal to complete the pack.
1. Coconut Crab [E]
2. Caribbean Hermit Crab [E]
3. Horseshoe Crab (Any Species) [E]
4. Mudskipper (Any Species) [E]
5. Banded Sea Krait [E]
6. Painted Terrapin (Batagur) [E]
7. Fiji Banded or Fiji Crested or Lau Banded Iguana [E]
8. Plover or Sandpiper (Any Species) [WE]
A Pack with a focus on Coastal Wildlife. Some of these are a bit of a Stretch, since it is difficult to find Exhibit Species for this Theme. Maybe more Birds in the future, when Frontier gives us clues about various Subcategories of Birds and their Enclosure Types. Another thing is, people can argue that Shorebirds like Plovers and Sandpipers can easily be Habitat Animals, then in that case we need another animal to complete the pack.
Endangered Critterz/Critters
1. Chinese Giant Salamander [E]
2. Mountain Chicken [E]
3. Egyptian Tortoise [E]
4. Pig-Nosed Turtle [E]
5. Chinese Crocodile Lizard [E]
6. San Francisco Garter Snake [E]
7. European or Golden Hamster [E]
8. American Burying Beetle [E]
A Pack with a focus on Conservation. Personally, I would rather have the Pig-Nosed Turtle as a Habitat Species, but it has a lot of Votes on the Exhibit Thread, so I included them. They are actually easier to make as Habitat than Snapping Turtles, since the Deep Diving System and Surface Time (also not being able to rest on the Bottom) is a challenge for Snapping Turtles. Pig-Nosed Turtles are not only big enough, but also behaviourally suitable, with similar movement to Sea Turtles.
1. Chinese Giant Salamander [E]
2. Mountain Chicken [E]
3. Egyptian Tortoise [E]
4. Pig-Nosed Turtle [E]
5. Chinese Crocodile Lizard [E]
6. San Francisco Garter Snake [E]
7. European or Golden Hamster [E]
8. American Burying Beetle [E]
A Pack with a focus on Conservation. Personally, I would rather have the Pig-Nosed Turtle as a Habitat Species, but it has a lot of Votes on the Exhibit Thread, so I included them. They are actually easier to make as Habitat than Snapping Turtles, since the Deep Diving System and Surface Time (also not being able to rest on the Bottom) is a challenge for Snapping Turtles. Pig-Nosed Turtles are not only big enough, but also behaviourally suitable, with similar movement to Sea Turtles.
Curious Creatures
1. Black-And-Rufous Elephant Shrew [E]
2. Eastern or Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle [E]
3. Sheltopusik [E]
4. Tentacled Snake [E]
5. Olm [E]
6. Alaskan or Siberian Wood Frog [E]
7. Madagascar Tomato Frog [E]
8. Argentine Horned Frog (Pacman Frog) [E]
I was left with a handful of Species that I noticed in fact have something in common, their Oddities, whether Appearance, Adaptations or Behaviour. When put together, it made an interesting pack. Etruscan Shrew is another candidate for this pack, since despite being the Smallest Mammal in the world, it is a ferocious predator. Also looks bizarre.
1. Black-And-Rufous Elephant Shrew [E]
2. Eastern or Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtle [E]
3. Sheltopusik [E]
4. Tentacled Snake [E]
5. Olm [E]
6. Alaskan or Siberian Wood Frog [E]
7. Madagascar Tomato Frog [E]
8. Argentine Horned Frog (Pacman Frog) [E]
I was left with a handful of Species that I noticed in fact have something in common, their Oddities, whether Appearance, Adaptations or Behaviour. When put together, it made an interesting pack. Etruscan Shrew is another candidate for this pack, since despite being the Smallest Mammal in the world, it is a ferocious predator. Also looks bizarre.
Serpentine Enigma
1. Reticulated Python [E]
2. Ball Python [E]
3. Coral Snake (Any Species) [E]
4. Eyelash Viper [E]
5. Inland Taipan [E]
6. Bushmaster (Any Species) [E]
7. Lancehead (Any Species) [E]
8. Asian Vine/Whip Snake (Any Species) [E]
I was left with a bunch of Snakes that I couldn't find a Theme for, so I came up with this Snake Diversity Pack. Again it has Star Species, Pythons in this case, letting others have a chance at getting in the game.
1. Reticulated Python [E]
2. Ball Python [E]
3. Coral Snake (Any Species) [E]
4. Eyelash Viper [E]
5. Inland Taipan [E]
6. Bushmaster (Any Species) [E]
7. Lancehead (Any Species) [E]
8. Asian Vine/Whip Snake (Any Species) [E]
I was left with a bunch of Snakes that I couldn't find a Theme for, so I came up with this Snake Diversity Pack. Again it has Star Species, Pythons in this case, letting others have a chance at getting in the game.
Some people might be wondering why Potentially Dangerous Animals are WE. The reason is, I am recommending to use the WE System/Box for their specific needs, barrier type and appropriate animations, so even when I specify a species as WE, it doesn't necessarily mean there should be a path inside. This option will have to be turned on and off by default for different species in the future anyway, if Frontier wants to add different types of Aviary Birds as WE.
For the time being, I excluded Birds from the Lineups, to be able see how Frontier handles each Subcategory of Aviary Birds. Exceptions were Beachcombers and Friendly Neighbour Packs, which honestly craved Birds to feel anywhere complete. Be my guest to include more Birds in your Lineups, I am planning to keep this Thread up-to-date, as the game adds more content and features, allowing for more ideas. Despite all these Themed Lineups I came up with, there are still many Species waiting to be included in Pack Ideas. Looking forward to the Unique Themes and Lineups you guys will come up with in Comments!
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