Hello everyone! Welcome to my thread on some of the community’s more overlooked group of animals, Ungulates!
Besides Africa, I genuinely believe there is an underrepresentation of ungulates in Planet Zoo! There are a lot of groups to go over so let’s go!
Perrisodactyl minute:
Rhinos:
What we have: We currently have three rhinos one from Asia and two from Africa. The Indian, Black, and White Rhinoceros are popular in captivity.
Potential additions: I believe that with three Rhinos we are well represented in this group. The Sumatran might be cool to highlight for conservation but we are good as is.
Tapirs:
What we have: We currently have an Asian species in the Malayan Tapir that doesn’t look like its IRL counterpart) and a South American species in the Bairds Tapir. Solid representation showing the two continents tapirs live in.
Potential Additions: I think we’re good here, once they fix the Malayan Tapir we’ll be golden on Tapirs. Maybe the Brazilian Tapir if we had to have another but I think we’re good
Equines:
What we have: We currently have the Plains Zebra, the most common zebra in captivity. It’s definitely a no-brainer to have them, so solid pick. We also have the endangered P Horse and Somali Wild Ass. Overall great representation with every "type of equid" (Donkey, Zebra, Horse) represented.
Potential Additions: I wouldn’t hate the domesticated mustangs or donkeys but we're all good here!
The Main Event: Artiodactyls!!!!!!!!
Deers:
What we have: We currently have two unique large deer in the Reindeer and Moose and two standard deer in the red deer and Fallow Deer. Overall good representation. The deer chosen are among the most iconic and noteworthy
Potential Additions: Any smaller deer would be great at this point. A pudu would be cool or a muntjac. I would really love the Père David’s deer. I would also love the Musk Deer to be considered for its uniqueness
Antelopes:
What we have: We currently have a ton of African hoofstock to represent the diversity in Savannah and rainforests. We have Sable antelope, Addax, Dama Gazelle, black wildebeest, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, Thompson’s Gazelle, Springbok, Nyala, Bongo, Nile Lechwe, Scimitar Oryx overall good African representation but definitely lacking from other parts of the world.
Potential Additions: There’s a ton of non-African Antelope needed. Saiga would be awesome inclusion for uniqueness and awareness. I would love Chiru they’re beautiful. We also need a blackbuck and Nilgai for Indian Diversity. With African species, we could use the giant Eland and a hartbeest. I would also love the Gerenuk for a unique choice. There are probably many more I’m missing so please leave your suggestions below
Camelids:
What we have: We currently have three domestic camelids from different sides of the world. The Llama for South America, Dromedary from Africa, and the Bactrian Camel for Asia. Overall this representation is great with two traditional old-world camelids and a new-world camelid represented that all look completely different.
Potential Additions: Overall great representation! We're good here! If you wanted to you could add the guanaco or vicuña but I think the llama does a good job covering South American camelids.
Suidae:
What we have: We currently have three pigs in the Warthog, Red River Hog, and North Sulawesi Babirusa. They’re all common in captivity and give us African and Asian representatives. It is a good example of acceptable Suide representation so overall decent job
Potential Additions: A pecarry would be great since they aren’t true pigs. I would also love the wild boar for their looks. I love pigs
Caprids:
What we have: We currently have two caprids one from Europe and one from North America in the Ibex and Dall Sheep respectfully. Overall this representation is still lacking and could use a couple more additions. One for the bare min
Potential Additions: A notable choice is the Markhor for Asia. I would also love the mountain Goat for its uniqueness. Also, the Takin is really unique and would be amazing for representation I would love love love the musk ox! One of the most unique caprids and an addition to our arctic sections!
Bovids:
What we have: We currently have the African Buffalo, Wild Asian Water Buffalo, and American Bison to represent Bovids. Overall this representation is lacking and not truly indicative of the diversity of the group.
Potential Additions: I would love the Guar it’s so big and impressive. The anoa is also really cool and unique. The Yak would add something unique. We need more bovines they’re so impressive.
Others: Hippos are all in the game, of course, Girafferoidia already has all its species represented maybe just the Masai giraffe or other subspecies, and cetaceans are a controversial topic for another day! (Yes cetaceans are ungulates!)