Ok, ok, the title's a bit clickbait-y. We have no idea how many of the remaining bear species (if any) we'll receive, and with limited slots, many are skeptical of yet another big burly bruin being added. But I personally love the remaining species, and I hope we get at least one, so I thought I might do a breakdown of the pros and cons of each.
American Black Bear
Rarity (US): Common. Found in around 29 US zoos.
Rarity (EU): Uncommon. Found in around 22 zoos -- not as common in the US, but also not very rare.
Status in the Wild: Least Concern. This is the most populous bear in the world, with more individuals than all other species combined. A great example of an adaptable species, but not so much a beacon of conservation. Then again, they do have the association with smokey bear.
Biome Diversity: High. According to IUCN, "they live at elevations ranging from sea level to 3,500m, and inhabit areas as diverse as dry Mexican scrub forests, Louisiana swamps, Alaskan rainforests, and Labrador tundra." This would add representation to the aquatic (1 bear species), grassland (1 bear species), and maybe even desert (no bear species) biomes, as well as the well-represented temperate, taiga, and tundra biomes.
Continental Diversity: Low. It would only represent North America, which already has 2 bear species. It is, however, present in the East and South of the continent, both of which have little in-game representation.
Visual Distinctiveness: Very Low. Other than a slightly thinner body and an absent white patch, it is identical to the Formosan Black Bear found in-game -- however, it does have several common color variants, such as Kermode (white) and cinnamon (brown) which would be more unique. Of course, this would also make it easier to implement.
Behavioral Distinctiveness: Very Low. As above, very similar to the Formosan Black Bear.
Demand: High. Within the top 50 on the meta-wishlist, and the second most wanted bear.
Andean/Spectacled Bear
Rarity (US): Rare. Found in around 13 US zoos.
Rarity (EU): Rare. Found in around 18 zoos -- more than the United states!
Status in the Wild: Vulnerable. Rarer than the Black Bear, but still not incredibly threatened -- mostly just a victim of habitat loss.
Biome Diversity: High. According to IUCN, "Andean bears occupy a great variety of habitats, from forests to high altitude grasslands," and as such would probably represent at a minimum the temperate biome, as well as probably the taiga, grassland, and tropical biomes.
Continental Diversity: High. It would finally add South America's only bear species, from a continent that already has limited species in-game.
Visual Distinctiveness: Fairly High. With a distinct short snout, small body, very coarse fur, and of course the iconic spectacles, the Andean bear is quite unique looking.
Behavioral Distinctiveness: Low. Arboreal, omnivorous, and a bit standoffish, it's a pretty bog-standard bear.
Demand: High. Within the top 40 on the meta-wishlist, and the most wanted bear.
Sloth Bear
Rarity (US): Rare. Found in around 11 US zoos.
Rarity (EU): Very Rare. Found in around 6 zoos -- one of the smallest captive presences of any bear in the EU!
Status in the Wild: Vulnerable. Rarer than the Black Bear, but still not incredibly threatened -- mostly just a victim of habitat loss.
Biome Diversity: High. According to IUCN, "Sloth bears occupy a wide range of habitats on the Indian mainland including wet or dry tropical forests, savannas, scrublands, and grasslands," meaning they would likely add a second grassland bear and a third tropical bear.
Continental Diversity: Very Low. It would represent Asia, a continent with 5 bear species in-game already. HOWEVER, it has little overlap with other species, being the only bear in most of its range in India and South Asia.
Visual Distinctiveness: Very High. With a hugely shaggy coat, large, drooping lips, fluffy, indistinct ears, sickle-like claws, and a beautifully stubby body, they look very unlike every other in-game bear.
Behavioral Distinctiveness: Very High. Not as arboreal as other species, as well as generally quieter and slower -- and of course, its diet! The only bear adapted for ant-eating, they could use the termite mound enrichment (perhaps even the natural variant as well!) and other items which are mostly used for anteaters and aardvarks, as well as those traditionally used for other bears.
Demand: Medium. Within the top 60 on the meta-wishlist, but the least wanted new bear species (though far above the other bears, brown bear subspecies with less than 10 votes).
Conclusion: Even though I'd love to get any bear species (and ideally, all three), I favor the sloth bear most, as its unique behavior, appearance and enrichment opportunities would be harder to mod in than the less distinct Andean bear or the borderline reskin that is the admittedly very cool American black bear.
American Black Bear
Rarity (US): Common. Found in around 29 US zoos.
Rarity (EU): Uncommon. Found in around 22 zoos -- not as common in the US, but also not very rare.
Status in the Wild: Least Concern. This is the most populous bear in the world, with more individuals than all other species combined. A great example of an adaptable species, but not so much a beacon of conservation. Then again, they do have the association with smokey bear.
Biome Diversity: High. According to IUCN, "they live at elevations ranging from sea level to 3,500m, and inhabit areas as diverse as dry Mexican scrub forests, Louisiana swamps, Alaskan rainforests, and Labrador tundra." This would add representation to the aquatic (1 bear species), grassland (1 bear species), and maybe even desert (no bear species) biomes, as well as the well-represented temperate, taiga, and tundra biomes.
Continental Diversity: Low. It would only represent North America, which already has 2 bear species. It is, however, present in the East and South of the continent, both of which have little in-game representation.
Visual Distinctiveness: Very Low. Other than a slightly thinner body and an absent white patch, it is identical to the Formosan Black Bear found in-game -- however, it does have several common color variants, such as Kermode (white) and cinnamon (brown) which would be more unique. Of course, this would also make it easier to implement.
Behavioral Distinctiveness: Very Low. As above, very similar to the Formosan Black Bear.
Demand: High. Within the top 50 on the meta-wishlist, and the second most wanted bear.
Andean/Spectacled Bear
Rarity (US): Rare. Found in around 13 US zoos.
Rarity (EU): Rare. Found in around 18 zoos -- more than the United states!
Status in the Wild: Vulnerable. Rarer than the Black Bear, but still not incredibly threatened -- mostly just a victim of habitat loss.
Biome Diversity: High. According to IUCN, "Andean bears occupy a great variety of habitats, from forests to high altitude grasslands," and as such would probably represent at a minimum the temperate biome, as well as probably the taiga, grassland, and tropical biomes.
Continental Diversity: High. It would finally add South America's only bear species, from a continent that already has limited species in-game.
Visual Distinctiveness: Fairly High. With a distinct short snout, small body, very coarse fur, and of course the iconic spectacles, the Andean bear is quite unique looking.
Behavioral Distinctiveness: Low. Arboreal, omnivorous, and a bit standoffish, it's a pretty bog-standard bear.
Demand: High. Within the top 40 on the meta-wishlist, and the most wanted bear.
Sloth Bear
Rarity (US): Rare. Found in around 11 US zoos.
Rarity (EU): Very Rare. Found in around 6 zoos -- one of the smallest captive presences of any bear in the EU!
Status in the Wild: Vulnerable. Rarer than the Black Bear, but still not incredibly threatened -- mostly just a victim of habitat loss.
Biome Diversity: High. According to IUCN, "Sloth bears occupy a wide range of habitats on the Indian mainland including wet or dry tropical forests, savannas, scrublands, and grasslands," meaning they would likely add a second grassland bear and a third tropical bear.
Continental Diversity: Very Low. It would represent Asia, a continent with 5 bear species in-game already. HOWEVER, it has little overlap with other species, being the only bear in most of its range in India and South Asia.
Visual Distinctiveness: Very High. With a hugely shaggy coat, large, drooping lips, fluffy, indistinct ears, sickle-like claws, and a beautifully stubby body, they look very unlike every other in-game bear.
Behavioral Distinctiveness: Very High. Not as arboreal as other species, as well as generally quieter and slower -- and of course, its diet! The only bear adapted for ant-eating, they could use the termite mound enrichment (perhaps even the natural variant as well!) and other items which are mostly used for anteaters and aardvarks, as well as those traditionally used for other bears.
Demand: Medium. Within the top 60 on the meta-wishlist, but the least wanted new bear species (though far above the other bears, brown bear subspecies with less than 10 votes).
Conclusion: Even though I'd love to get any bear species (and ideally, all three), I favor the sloth bear most, as its unique behavior, appearance and enrichment opportunities would be harder to mod in than the less distinct Andean bear or the borderline reskin that is the admittedly very cool American black bear.
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