SuzieSky's Wildlife Tour of North America

[SuzieSky]

I'm bored, so I'm going to invite you on a virtual road trip to see some of North America's wildlife and learn about what lives in several regions of the Nearctic realm. For each region, I'll introduce five animals emblematic of the region and relevant to zoos (especially virtual ones) and some other species that also live in the area. I’m ignoring tropical Mexico and Central America because they wouldn’t fit the format as well, I’m less familiar with that region, and much of the wildlife is very reflective of that found in South America. This is partly a wishlist for North America and also an appreciation post for what has been included so far.

We'll start our journey where I grew up, the deciduous forests of the east coast. While there are some white pine, hemlock, and other evergreen trees, much of the forests are dominated by deciduous trees that shed their leaves in autumn in a colorful display. Some of the trees include maples, oaks, black walnut, beech, redbud, flowering dogwood, and tulip poplar. Some flowers of the prairies can be found here, as well as rhododendron, mountain laurel, and lady's slipper. Bald eagles and osprey fight over fish near water. Red tailed hawks are a common sight, and great horned owls can be heard at night. There are many beautiful songbirds, such as bluebirds, cardinals, goldfinches, mourning doves, red-winged blackbirds, Baltimore orioles, cedar waxwings, and American robins. You can also find ruby-throated hummingbirds in the summer, woodpeckers, and blue jays. Some common smaller mammals include cottontail rabbits, groundhogs, grey squirrels, and chipmunks. Monarch butterflies and bullfrogs are a common sight and used to teach development and metamorphosis in many elementary school classrooms. Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies and luna moths are common here and in butterfly houses. Pond turtles bask on sunny logs near ponds, and box tortoises roam the woods. If you're out in the woods, watch out for the eastern copperhead! The rare hellbender is the only discovered extant giant salamander in the Americas.

Next, we’ll head south to explore the subtropical southeast and the everglades, which is actually considered within the Neotropical realm. Many of the birds and butterflies are similar, but you can also find painted buntings, cloudless sulfur, and zebra longwing butterflies. Some common trees include yellow pine, cypress, mangroves, magnolia, and live oak. You can also find Spanish moss, palms, water lilies, jewelweed, yellow jasmine, butterfly bush, bellflowers, and pitcher plants. Coral snakes, snapping turtles, and frogs are critters you might find. Hercules beetles, rabbits, and squirrels live here, too.

We’ll continue on north through the prairies and eventually circle back down to the southwest deserts. While some of the flora and fauna remains the same as that found to the east, there are some other species native to the deserts, prairies, and chaparral. Some trees include, bur oak, cottonwood, balsam poplar, manzanita, desert willow, Joshua trees, and tumbleweeds. Barrel cacti, saguaro, agave, yucca, prickly pear, and ocotillo are found in the deserts. Wildflowers of the region include black eyed susans, Texas bluebonnet, paintbrush, sunflowers, scarlet globemallow, goldenrod, and coneflowers. Some invertebrates include scorpions, tarantulas, giant swallowtails, Polyphemus moths, and gulf fritillary. Horny toads, Gila monsters, collared lizards, garter snakes, and diamondback rattlesnakes are reptiles native to the region. The birds contain a mix of east and west coast species. New ones here include other species of hummingbirds, burrowing owls, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, Steller's jay, western meadowlark, California condor, California quail, and Inca doves. Kangaroo rats, Albert’s squirrel, and pocket gophers join the ranks of smaller critters.

After visiting the prairie, we’ll view the boreal forests and return through the rocky mountains after a brief stop in the tundra. Some plants of the taiga and boreal forests include spruce, giant sequoia, quaking aspen, paper birch, fir trees, wood lilies, blankeflowers, and harebells. Clark’s nutcracker, ravens, yellow headed blackbirds, magpies, and great grey owls join the ranks of birds. For smaller mammals, I’ve added the American red squirrel, ground squirrel, pika, weasel, mink, and marten.

We’ll swing by the arctic, home of lichens, moss, snowy owls, ptarmigans, and lemmings.

Then we’ll head back south through the Rocky Mountains and into the southwest desert before checking out some coastal species and some other small mammals.

 

[SuzieSky]

Eastern Deciduous Forests:
The first animal I would like you to meet is the American Black Bear. This bear can be found across much of the continent and thus adds to multiple regions. In the wild, they are omnivores, eating insects, berries, fish, nuts, and occasionally meat. They used to depend on the now mostly extinct American Chestnut tree for nutrition before winter when there is less food. Often, they will venture into more urban areas to raid trashcans and get into trouble. These bears rarely attack people but may be provoked by their pets. They are the apex predator for much of the east coast. With their many shenanigans, they are the source of memes and some frustration here. Out west, bears are known to come in a variety of colors called phases that will last throughout their life. Some of these include glacier blue, a cinnamon red, chocolate brown, and blonde. Kermode bears are a subspecies that often feature a white coat. They have particular significance to some Native Americans. Black bears are very abundant in the wild and in zoos here of both big and small budgets. If I were to pick one animal to represent the region, I would choose the American Black bear.

The second animal that I would like you to see is the bobcat. The bobcat’s range is even larger than that of the black bear. It can be found in all biomes of North America except tropical and tundra, which is dominated by the Canadian Lynx. These cats may also wander into urban areas, but they are typically more elusive and cause less of a disturbance. Like all cats, they are obligate carnivores that specialize in hunting mostly rabbits but also other small rodents, reptiles, birds, and the occasional white-tailed deer, which we will later visit on our tour. Bobcats and the closely related Canadian lynx are a staple of zoos here and combined are probably our most showcased cat. They can be found in both large and small zoos. The Canadian lynx (left) and bobcat (right) have different ranges (center).

We will stop by a creek to find the third animal. Did you see that ripple on the water? Can you hear it splashing around? It’s the North American river otter! Otters are a playful delight found in much of the eastern forests, taiga, and southern subtropical forests. Our river otters may live alone or in small groups. They typically eat fish and other critters found near water. Otters of any species are a much beloved part of any zoo, and we love to showcase them in zoos of all budgets.

It almost doesn’t sound like a bird, but the fourth animal is the wild turkey. Wild turkey are the largest members of the pheasant order and the only domesticated animal originating from North America. They were nearly hunted to extinction, but reintroduction efforts were extremely successful to the point where they are almost a pest in some places. Turkey’s flight is extremely awkward and limited, but they can usually make it to branches to avoid predators, which include foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and raptors. Turkey poults are limited to the ground, so suburbs with fewer predators are an ideal environment for them. Turkeys are a popular game bird here and typically the centerpiece of Thanksgiving feasts. This means they also turn up in much of our media. They have a huge range from east to west and Mexico to even a bit of Canada. Similar to the other native birds, their presence in our zoos is not as high as mammals, but they are probably one of the best options to represent North American birds outside of aviary species.

In honor of Planet Zoos’s latest feathered addition, our last highlighted animal is waterfowl. Specifically, I would like to highlight the wood duck. This bird frequents ponds throughout much of North America. They have a large range and are probably the best known, except for the mallard and Canadian goose, which while well-known don’t have a strong captive presence in our zoos. Wood ducks are probably the most common native bird I’ve seen in zoos, which is understandable due to their striking coloration. They are also popular abroad. The harlequin and ruddy duck are also somewhat striking but less popular and common in the eastern forests. The trumpeter swan would also be a nice choice, but other swans are likely to fill that gap in the roster. A North American waterfowl (even if it's not the wood duck) would make an excellent addition.

While we might run into some other creatures in these forests, the above five are the main ones that I would choose to represent the east coast in a zoo simulator.
Some other creatures include:

• Coyote, which are somewhat invasive and regarded as a pest
• Red foxes, grey foxes, beavers, Virginia opossums, skunks, North American porcupines, and raccoons are all small mammals that I will discuss later.
• White tailed deer are pretty much the only ungulate, but...
• ...there are some reintroduction projects for Wapiti in parts of the region.

Minimum requirements: black bear, a bird, and ~3 critters.
Thoughts on the roster: North America could really use a habitat bird. The black bear is essential to this region and fills out others as well. I understand the bobcat and river otter being passed over for their counterparts, and I think we're doing fine for critters. The small mammal representation is great!

 

[SuzieSky]

Southeast and Everglades:
The first species I would pick to represent the southeast is of course the American alligator. They are extremely well known, frequently showcased, and a true icon of the region. They are known to eat fish and other small critters that venture into the water. They can grow over 12 feet in length and can pose a threat to larger mammals, such as humans, that venture too close to the water’s edge. They are featured in many zoos throughout North America and can live in large groups.

Heading deep into the swamps of southern Florida, we will find our second animal, the Florida panther. Florida panthers are a subpopulation of mountain lions, and they are also known as puma and cougars. They are known to hunt raccoons, white tailed deer, armadillo, and invasive feral hogs. Mountain lions are a large species of small cat with a plain coat and a distinctive face. Cubs feature spots that fade with age. Mountain lions are very elusive and will typically avoid humans, so it is possible to live within their native range and never see one. Rarely, they will pass through the eastern deciduous forests, but they have no breeding population there. Mountain lions can also be found throughout South America, and they are a fairly essential species for both continents. They are a bit less common in zoos, where they will often hide from guests during the day, but they remain an impressive and exciting member of many collections nonetheless.

Our third species to represent the southeast is an extremely common game animal found through all of the continent except the polar tundra. It is the white-tailed deer! While they aren’t as exciting as many species, they make an excellent filler animal and common prey species for much of the continent. They are very common in smaller zoos, especially those focused on native wildlife. They don’t have much conservation value, but there is an endangered subspecies known as the Key deer that can also be found in southern Florida. It is much smaller than typical white-tailed deer. While not as critical as the other two, this animal would also be a good addition to a zoo game.

Rustling through the bushes, you can find an interesting oddball species, the nine-banded armadillo. While this isn’t the most common armadillo in zoos, they have the largest range of any armadillo and are one of the species that can curl into a ball. Armadillos are also found in the deserts of North America and much of South America. They are related to sloths and anteaters, a superorder unique to the Americas. An armadillo is a great small mammal to add to any zoo’s roster.

Wading in the pools and near the shores, we can spot two different cranes, the sandhill and the whooping crane. Both are candidates to represent habitat birds of North America although they may not prevail over other species of crane. Whooping cranes feature mostly white feathers. They are endangered and have a somewhat small range. Sandhill cranes are brown and can be found in a much larger range across North America. Both are permanent residents of Florida.

While visiting, you may also encounter some invasive species: Burmese python, feral hogs, iguana.
Other native species you may encounter:

• Black Bear, turkey, and several small mammals from the previous forests can be found.
• American Crocodiles are a vulnerable crocodilian that also live in Florida.
• Red wolves are critically endangered and considered a separate species than the timber wolf. They rely on careful monitoring and captive breeding programs.

Minimum requirements: Mountain lion and alligator
Thoughts on the roster: This region is doing great! The two large, well-known carnivores and several small mammals have been added.

 

[SuzieSky]

Great Plains:
The first can be spotted from a great distance, and it is the largest animal native to the continent. It is the American Bison. Bison used to live all over the plains where they were an important source of food, shelter, and clothing for several Native American tribes, but they were nearly driven to extinction in the 1800s. Through careful breeding and other conservation efforts, wild populations have increased through some of their former range, and many more are kept in captivity, where they are sometimes farmed for meat. Bison are the national mammal of the USA, extremely recognizable, a keystone species of the prairie, and the first ungulate and perhaps overall animal I would choose to represent North America in a zoo game. They are quite common in zoos here, especially those with a budget and space for them. People enjoy seeing them, and they are an important part of the continent’s history.

The other species can be found at the feet of the bison. They are prairie dogs. Aren’t they cute? Prairie dogs are small, but they can live in massive colonies. They are a keystone species on the prairie. They are a also primary food source for multiple predators, and their burrows provide homes for other wildlife. They are extremely common in zoos here of all budgets and a favorite amongst children, who I’ve often seen gathered around their exhibit, making use of viewing domes, and trying to imitate their “yahoo” cries. Prairie dogs are about tied with bobcats as one of the most frequent native species I’ve seen in zoos.

Another species worthy of note is the black footed ferret. They are slightly larger than prairie dogs, but they don’t live in such large colonies. While they are probably too small to include without a large group, these ferrets are endangered and an important conservation species here. Their diet consists of prairie dogs, which ranchers sometimes poison to protect their grass and livestock. This caused black footed ferrets to decline to the point where they were declared extinct in the wild. Black footed ferrets normally served as a keystone species to control prairie dog populations to prevent them from causing too much damage to large areas of the prairie, but prairie dogs populations are currently reduced to the point where that function is less necessary. They are a bit less-known than the other two, but their story is used to teach ecology and conservation in schools.

Pronghorn are interesting. They are the only thing resembling an antelope in the Americas, but they are actually taxonomically more related to the giraffe family. They are thought to have evolved to be extremely fast to avoid predation by now-extinct felids. They don’t thrive in captivity outside of their native range, which makes it difficult for me to call them essential, but they are a very unique option to include in a zoo game.

The last species we will meet on the journey through the plains is the coyote. Although they resemble and are taxonomically related to wolves, they occupy a different ecological niche. In the great plains, they mainly hunt birds and small rodents, such as prairie dogs. Coyotes have a different cry and diet than that of the wolf. When they moved east, some coyotes mixed with wolves and acquired some wolf genetics. They are larger and fluffier than the small, skinny animals typically found in their native range. In the east, coyotes are regarded as an invasive pest. Group sizes are typically 3-7, with one breeding pair per group. These clever creatures feature prominently in many Native American stories. While not the most important canid for inclusion, they could be a nice pick.

Other Notable Species:

• Swift foxes are another species of fox abundant within the region.
• Some other small mammals are common to the eastern part of the continent, but the American badger is especially prevalent in the prairie.
• Wolves and wapiti range into the grasslands.
• Prairie chicken and sage grouse are two possible habitat birds for the Great Plains.

Minimum requirements: Bison and prairie dogs are extremely popular and common in local zoos. There is no way around them or substitutions that would be acceptable.
Thoughts on the roster: With the current lineup, I can build a good section. I'm very happy we got the two important ones! Pronghorn are a fun oddball, and the small mammals are good.

 

[SuzieSky]

Boreal Forest/Taiga:
Lumbering through the forests alongside lakes and rivers, we can find one of the largest animals on the continent and a very iconic ungulate throughout the northern hemisphere. Moose are the largest of all of the deer species and distinct through their massive antlers and tanky build. They walk a bit awkwardly on land and love to hang out in the water. They don't really thrive in captivity, but they are probably the most iconic deer species out there and essential.

In the mountains and northern forests, we can encounter our second bear species of the road trip, the grizzly. Grizzly bears are a subspecies of brown bear that are well known around the world as a bear species of North America. The Kodiak subspecies is the largest of the brown bears and nearly as large as polar bears. Unlike the smaller black bears, much of brown bears’ diet consists of meat and fish. Grizzlies are known to hunt moose and elk during spring and fatten themselves on salmon making their way upstream in the fall. They are larger and more dangerous than black bears, and grizzlies are much more likely to attack people. This is a major reason why they were driven to extinction in other parts of the continent. If not the grizzly, at least a general brown bear is a staple for inclusion.

Wolves are another of North America’s most famous carnivores that should be included in a zoo game. There are several subspecies to choose from within the region, but a general grey wolf is fine to represent North American (and Eurasian) wolves in a zoo game. Like coyotes, they live in small packs with one breeding pair and can use chorus behavior. Like black bears, wolves come in a variety of fun colors. Black, white, and various shades of grey are frequently found in the wild, but some other colors occur when wolf genes are mixed with local dogs. Timber wolves are found throughout the northern hemisphere and are a very essential animal.

Our next animal is the national mammal of Canada, and it can be found around streams and ponds. North American Beavers are famous for gnawing down trees and using the logs to build lodges for shelter as well as dams. Blocking streams with dams can create small ponds and an ecosystem that is important for other wildlife. This makes beavers a keystone species for North America’s forests. They are a somewhat large rodent with a distinctive flat tail. They were a source of income during the colonial era in which their fur was coveted. Beavers live in small family groups consisting of a breeding pair, older offspring, and young kits. They are iconic, well-known, and have a decent presence in North American zoos. They are an essential small mammal to represent the continent.

Another fairly well-known small mammal is the wolverine. Wolverine are a ferocious relative of the badger that can both scavenge and hunt for their own meat. They are primarily found in the tundra and taiga biomes throughout the northern hemisphere. Wolverine are mostly solitary and can avoid predation through their pungent odor and thick skin. They are an excellent choice to represent tundra and taiga biomes around the northern hemisphere.

Other notable species:

• The Canadian lynx is more prevalent here than the bobcat.
• Several previously discussed small mammals as well as the large, arboreal mustelid known as the fisher cat can be found here.
• Black bear, wapiti, white-tailed deer, and mountain goats can be found here as well.

Minimum requirement for good representation: All 5 are needed, but 4 are found throughout the northern hemisphere.
Thoughts: This region is a great one to focus on, and I'm happy its most notable species were added!

 

[SuzieSky]

Arctic Tundra:
The first animal to represent the tundra biome could not be anything other than a polar bear. Polar bears are the largest of all bear species and a formidable carnivore. They primarily prey on ringed seals, but they may also hunt other species of seals, walruses, and small whales. They are extremely dangerous, but most of their range is far from human settlements. A true icon of the north pole, their low presence in captivity does not hinder them from being an essential animal for the tundra biome.

Not far behind them is the caribou, a deer with significant importance as a source of fur and meat within their native range and cultural importance outside of it. They are another large deer species with an impressive rack of antlers. They eat tundra moss and live in massive herds throughout the northern hemisphere. I rarely encounter them in zoos, but they are an important icon of the arctic around the world and are also essential.

The third animal we will encounter on our travels is the world’s most recognizable pinniped, the walrus. Walrus sport two tusks, which are useful for climbing onto ice and defense. Like most arctic pinnipeds, walruses are adapted to colder climates and thus are difficult to keep in zoos. Their tusks can prove hazardous in a zoo setting, so they are sometimes covered or filed down to keep them in zoos. Walruses are a staple of previous zoo games and a popular choice for inclusion.

Next, we will meet another large ungulate and the first caprine we will meet on our journey. Musk ox may look like bison or some other relative of the cow, but they are actually a goat species. They sport thick, shaggy fur and horns, which they use to defend themselves from wolves. Adults are famous for forming a protective circle around their young. Musk ox are sometimes farmed for meat within their native range and live throughout the northern hemisphere. Again, they aren’t as common in zoos, especially in areas with a warmer climate, but their broad range and status as one of two large ungulates around the arctic circle makes them a good choice.

The last animal we’ll meet are arctic wolves. While arctic wolves may be considered represented at the species level by a grey wolf, they sport white coats and appear somewhat different. They are adapted to snow and a colder climate, where they especially hunt musk ox and sometimes reindeer. Their beautiful howls can be heard at night on the tundra, and as a predator for the two northern ungulates, they are very worthy of inclusion.

Other Notable Species:

• Arctic foxes are nearly tied with the arctic wolf in my eyes.
• Canadian lynxes and their prey, small hares are also found here.
• Dall sheep and stone sheep can be found in Alaska and parts of Canada. They are related to bighorn sheep.
• There are several species of seal that are prey for polar bears.
• Some other previously discussed mammals also range in the tundra

Minimum requirements: I think polar bears and caribou are too well known to skip. Walruses and musk ox are a bit more optional, but their range through multiple continents and the fact that there isn't much to represent this extreme biome make them very strong contenders, too.
Thoughts on the roster: Walrus and musk ox are popular and would be cool, but I can work with the current lineup. I'm glad there are some tundra animals in the game!

 

[SuzieSky]

Rocky Mountains:
To represent the mountains, the first animal I would choose is the bighorn sheep. This adds a nice member of the Ovis genus to a zoo roster as well as a warm-climate caprine. Bighorn sheep are the most heavily featured caprine of our media, and easily the most well-known of our three sheep. They live in large herds with multiple males and do not have a dominance hierarchy, which is convenient for zoo games. Males will compete for females by headbutting each other with their massive horns. They are important to Native American culture as well. Bighorn sheep are one of the top animals I would pick to represent the continent.

The second animal, the mountain lion, was already featured in the southeast, but this animal is also extremely important for representing the Rocky Mountains. They are a primary predator of caprines here and able to navigate the steep terrain. The mountain lion is a top five representative of both regions.

Mountain goats are also an important representative of the Rockies. Their range overlaps partially with the bighorn sheep, but they can be found in the northern taiga reaches of the rocky mountains, with the dall and stone sheep ranging further north into primarily tundra regions. With their white coat, different morphology, and different taxonomy, mountain goats make an excellent contrast against the bighorn for a second goat species.

Another staple of rocky mountain wildlife is the elk, also known as the wapiti to avoid confusion with the moose. These massive deer are only superseded by moose in size. They typically have a darker head and neck, a lighter body, a pale rump, and a massive rack of antlers. Their loud and beautiful calls during the rut also make them an important icon of the region. Wapiti can also be found in Asia. In North America, there is a particular subspecies known as the Rocky Mountain elk.

I’m going to split the final slot between brown and black bears, both of which have extensive ranges throughout the Rocky Mountains, with the black’s reaching further south. Both have been previously mentioned and are top carnivores that are iconic for the region. Both are very welcome and needed in for the continent.

Other notable species:

• Several previously discussed species as well as the yellow-bellied marmot can be found here.

Minimum requirements to represent the region: one of the caprids and a mountain lion
Thoughts on the roster: While I'm glad to see most of the large carnivores, it's kind of weird to not have one of the iconic caprids for the largest mountain range. Wapiti are also pretty important. I can try to use the Dall sheep and moose as substitutes, but they aren't really the same. I would like to see a bighorn sheep added to boost the region.

 

[SuzieSky]

Southwest deserts:
We’ve met the first animal twice. Mountain lions are an exciting icon for the multiple regions of the continent.

We’ve encountered the second one once. While bighorn sheep can be found in colder regions, they are also an important icon of the southwest deserts.

Collared Peccary are a new one. These relatives of pigs have a much larger range within South America, but they also turn up here. We showcase them in zoos sometimes, and they are a great species to cover two continents. In deserts, they can obtain water by eating cacti.

The fourth representative for the desert region is the Mexican wolf. They are critically endangered and reintroduction efforts are underway in the southwest. While these wolves don’t take precedence over a standard timber wolf, conservation icons are exciting to work with. This could be represented somewhat by a grey wolf, but the habitat requirements would have to be flexible.

The fifth is a popular icon from Looney Tunes. In the popular TV show, a roadrunner constantly had to outwit a hungry coyote. Roadrunners are a somewhat large bird that dart about on land to catch prey. They may fly to avoid predators but will often run when possible. They would be an interesting choice if they could be worked into a habitat.

Other notable species:

• Several previously discussed animals can also be found here.
• Kit foxes are another species of fox found in North America.
• Mule deer and black tailed deer are two other, lesser known deer species of the continent.
• Ringtail are an adorable relative of racoons, and desert hare are another potential addition.

Minimum requirements: I would say the bighorn sheep and at least one of the felids should be included. The peccary is a strong contender, and a canid seems borderline essential.
Thoughts on the roster: I would still very much like a bighorn sheep, but I can work with the other species. If there is no room for another separate canid, expanding the habitat requirements of the timber wolf would be nice. The region is looking a lot better after the peccary, though. The representation is pretty good, overall.

 

[SuzieSky]

Coasts:
The first representative would be the famous California Sea Lion. Sea Lions are not true seals and they are able to move in a different way. They inhabit the rocky west coast of North America and are a very famous pinniped. They are unique to the continent, so they have fewer broad applications than others on this list, but they are particularly iconic to the region and prevalent in local zoos.

The second, also from the west coast, is the sea otter. Sea otters range all the way into the northern waters of East Asia. They are an adorable and distinctive species of otter known for cracking open shellfish with rocks, and they may hang on to a favorite rock. They will sometimes tie themselves up in kelp to keep from drifting away and hold hands to remain together as a group. Sea otters occasionally turn up in zoos.

There are many types of seals that could be included. Harbor and grey seals are the most commonly kept in captivity. I would choose the harbor for their more extensive range and function as a prey species for polar bears. The ribbon and harp seals are flashy, black-and-white options that might be fun as a visually distinct seal, but they are less common in captivity. A seal is important to represent the coasts.

Brown pelicans are more colorful than some species and a great option to represent coastal regions. They are kept in some zoos and can be housed with seals and sea lions. They range on both coasts and into South America, so they could be broadly used. However, a pelican might be more necessary for the Mediterranean. Ideally, both will come.

While not kept in zoos except for rehabilitation purposes and never bred, sea turtles are extremely cool animals that can move on land. They range throughout the world and would add a bit of wonder to aquatic animal sections. Green sea turtles were the ones chosen for previous games, but there are other species that could work. I would love to see a sea turtle.

If fully aquatic animals are feasible, manatees would be a great addition.

I'm very happy we got a sea lion. That seems like the most important one of these.

 

[SuzieSky]

Backyard Animals:
While our trip has covered most of our iconic animals, it has passed over many smaller mammals that are quite popular in zoos overseas. While some of these are quite common in backyards, they don’t often turn up in our zoos. These animals are common in many of the regions of North America, well-known, and easy to identify. They each have an attribute that makes them an interesting addition, and they all are welcome.

Red foxes are found throughout the northern hemisphere and are the most iconic option for a temperate/taiga fox. Like wolves and black bears, they are a great species for color morphs, unfortunately due to the fur trade, but they help make it a fun animal for games. These foxes are somewhat large, add a splash of color, and are probably the animal people think of most when picturing foxes. They are heavily featured in stories and media throughout their range and are a great option for a fox.

The North American porcupine actually turns up fairly frequently in our local zoos. They are adorable, and their spikes are an interesting defense against predators. They are surprisingly smart and cute but also slow moving and nocturnal. I like them better than some options for woodland critters because they are kept in local zoos as well as abroad, but they probably aren’t the most exciting to observe.

I’ve seen a few striped skunks in zoos here. They tend to be less afraid of people and more social than other animals on this list. They are probably the most iconic of 10 species found throughout the Americas, and although they look like mustelids, they are actually a distinct group. They are famous for their chemical defenses against predators and their fluffy tails. I think they are a great addition to represent the continent. A map of all skunk ranges is displayed.

Apparently, the common raccoon is an extremely popular North American animal in foreign zoos. While I’ve never seen one in a zoo here, there is no doubt they are adorable, iconic, mischievous, and active. They are viewed as a rabies vector and not a zoo animal in my region, but I can appreciate that they may have a different reputation elsewhere. They are a good addition.

The Virginia opossum is interesting in that it is a marsupial that is not native to Australia. However, their short lifespan makes them difficult to root for. Due to their international popularity, they could be a good addition, but I would not place them above the others of this section.

Other notable small mammals:
While the above are some nice choices to cover international zoo representation and flesh out the small mammal roster, there are a few other oddball species that could also be nice. The small mammal roster remains quite weak in the tundra, which is shared by several continents. An arctic fox does and possibly a hare (don't care if they go with the mountain hare) would do wonders to fill out that region. The arid regions to the south are also a bit barren. Jackrabbits, also known as desert hare, are a possibility for inclusion. Raccoon also have an adorable relative known as the ringtail that would be an interesting small mammal to include. For the taiga, there are many small, arboreal weasels, but the largest and most famous of these is the fisher cat, which would be nice. Finally, grey foxes are an extremely interesting canid. They are not true foxes; rather they are the most basal canid, sporting retractable claws for climbing that were lost in other species. They have a nice grey-and-copper coat and a large range throughout much of the southern regions. To my knowledge, none of these are very common in zoos, but a few could be fun for variety.

I think they picked three of the best ones. Red foxes have a broad range and color morphs; raccoons are active and popular; and skunks are a unique branch of musteloid. Arctic foxes are also pretty great.

 

[RightWhale]

This post is simply amazing! As a shill for North American wildlife no other post here has captured the diversity as well. I live on the east coast so I was happy to see myself represented!

Seeing all the birds not included kills me a bit, I honestly need a bird more than even the black bear, river otter, etc. I can make due with what I have, but I like diverse zoos so having not a single bird doesn’t fly with me.

I think songbirds are a super underrated addition to the game, up there with shore birds.

 

[Aramar]

Somehow I missed this thread and just found it. It's very interesting! Thanks a lot for the time you devoted to it!

 

[SuzieSky]

With the recent pack, here are my thoughts on building for each of our regions:

The taiga and northern pine forests remain the best-covered region with all five essential picks plus some additional small mammals from twilight. The tundra and icy regions remain good but unchanged. I can work with the grey seal, polar bear, caribou, arctic fox, arctic wolf, and Dall sheep, but a musk ox and walrus are popular and would be welcome. I don't expect a coastal pack, but we have some fantastic options if they ever go that route.

The Rocky Mountains needed an ungulate, and I think the bighorn sheep was the most iconic one, so I'm very happy about that. They tend to hang out in grassy areas at slightly lower elevations than the mountain goat, and I've seen them share fields with bison and pronghorn. They are also a good pick to cover the more arid regions and can be found in Badlands, the Grand Canyon, and a bit into Mexico. Coyotes are a great pick for both the deserts and grasslands. They range into most regions, where they are at least a little useful. With those two picks, I am very happy about building for deserts, grasslands, and the Rocky Mountains. While the bighorn sheep and coyote were not high-priority picks for me, they are both very useful for shoring up weak points in a few regions.

The only regions that I struggle a bit with right now are the eastern deciduous forests. We're really missing our star, the American black bear. I can work with the Twilight animals and substitutions for the NARO and bobcat, but we are still missing our bear, ~2 birds, and perhaps a deer. Hopefully, they'll show up before support stops. I don't expect anything beyond that, but there are more species I'd welcome.