Ungulate Talk

That sounds awful imo. Taking out zoo staples and adding a bird that's barely held in captivity anywhere, one of the most obscure, tiny Australian mammals and another random obscure small mammal. Like why? It's just adding random animals.als for the sake of not because you feel the ungulates, despite all being very solid choices for a zoo game, are too similar.
Bilby is not uncommon, neither would be perentie. I think chuditch and electricmonk would agree that most people in their areas would know them. Just cause an animal is uncommon to you doesnt mean it's not well known in other parts of the world.
 
Roadrunner is super small and I don’t think it would be a good choice for a habitat animal.
Speaking as somebody who's seen them often in the wild as well as a few times in a zoo, roadrunners are actually bigger than the prairie dogs and meerkats. Well, at the very least, they're much longer and taller. So, I don't think that it's too small an animal
Bighorn sheep looks like Dall sheep recolor.
Yeah, but it adds a 2nd sheep as well as one from the desert. Although another sheep from another place, like the Barbary sheep, would be better since it's another continent
 
adding a bird that's barely held in captivity anywhere,
As previously mentioned, while almost absent from zoos in North America, Darwin’s rhea is well established in the EAZA and the number of zoos that hold it are only increasing. Both Darwin’s rhea and the greater rhea live in deserts, but the former to a significantly greater degree (they even live in parts of the Atacama), hence why I chose it for the pack. It being the smaller rhea species also helps differentiate it more from the ostrich.

one of the most obscure, tiny Australian mammals
Neither are true, there are many many Australian mammals that are significantly more obscure and it’s a perfectly reasonable size for a habitat animal. It’s a zoo staple in Australia (while many species from the Arid Animal Pack are not), would represent a new order of mammals, and even though it isn’t a well known animal internationally, it’s unique and cutesy appearance would still make it an extremely marketable pick.

another random obscure small mammal.
Ordinarily I’d have chosen the peccary, but Nutrit specifically removed that option. In any case, I chose the ringtail as the nominate North American representative here because it’s my personal favourite mammal from the continent and because I’d rather a second procyonid to yet another cat or dog. It’d also be the first carnivoran that’s mostly endemic to the drier regions of North America rather than also occurring extensively in other environments.

Also, in regards to all the “obscure small mammals”, you mentioned this in an earlier post:
Because if you want a desert pack, a biome known for its lack of biodiversity, dominance by ungulates and small reptiles and then get exactly that and are upset, you either don't understand rhe biome you're requesting be made into a DLC or you're just complaining for the sake of it.
Do you know what are more dominant in deserts than ungulates? Small nocturnal mammals. This is simply a reflection of what biodiversity in deserts is actually like. The more small mammals to make desert night houses with the better I say.

Like why? It's just adding random animals.als for the sake of not because you feel the ungulates, despite all being very solid choices for a zoo game, are too similar.
Because I feel like these choices would just bring a lot more to the game in general. Like, regardless of what “zoo staples” they are (which is very dependant on what region you’re from), a pack with yet another African/Arabian desert cat, 5 more African ungulates and the first porcupine feels a lot less fresh and interesting to me than a pack with 2 more African ungulates, the first porcupine, the first small desert mammal from Australia, the first bird from South America proper (king penguin doesn’t count lol), the first desert-dwelling tortoise and the first dryland specialist carnivoran from North America. It’s also just a better reflection of the biodiversity of deserts. If you disagree that’s fine, but that just means we have different views on what species we value as important additions.

EDIT: It’s also worthy of note that in my true optimum pack I’d replace addax with Hamadryas baboon and ringtail with collared peccary, so it’d also have the first baboon and first tayassuid/first suinan from the Americas.
 
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Like the black and white ruffled Lemur?
Oh, you got me!

No, you didn't. The black-and-white ruffed lemur was not highly-requested, and could be easily thrown together by adjusting the red ruffed lemur. They made us pay real money for the blue wildebeest, Asian water monitor, and dromedary, all animals which could easily have been anniversary animals, so you can sure as hell bet they aren't giving away the baboon for free. Honestly even the tortoise is an unrealistic expectation, because it's so popular that Frontier knows we'll pay for it, so why would they give it away for free?

Of the three you think of as "likely" only the American black bear is actually very "likely".
 
Oh, you got me!

No, you didn't. The black-and-white ruffed lemur was not highly-requested, and could be easily thrown together by adjusting the red ruffed lemur. They made us pay real money for the blue wildebeest, Asian water monitor, and dromedary, all animals which could easily have been anniversary animals, so you can sure as hell bet they aren't giving away the baboon for free. Honestly even the tortoise is an unrealistic expectation, because it's so popular that Frontier knows we'll pay for it, so why would they give it away for free?

Of the three you think of as "likely" only the American black bear is actually very "likely".
While you make some good points, the red deer was also requested but we got for free
 
While you make some good points, the red deer was also requested but we got for free
It was hardly requested. A handful of people wanted it because they connected that one wall sign and topiary with the red deer.

In any case, I've always strongly suspected that the red deer already existed in some capacity pretty far back, it was just never released. And if that wasn't the case, its popularity dropped off big time after the fallow deer released, similarly to how the popularity of the lar gibbon diminished once we got the siamang. Only a few of us are really sticklers for exact species/subspecies.
 
Oh, you got me!

No, you didn't. The black-and-white ruffed lemur was not highly-requested, and could be easily thrown together by adjusting the red ruffed lemur. They made us pay real money for the blue wildebeest, Asian water monitor, and dromedary, all animals which could easily have been anniversary animals, so you can sure as hell bet they aren't giving away the baboon for free. Honestly even the tortoise is an unrealistic expectation, because it's so popular that Frontier knows we'll pay for it, so why would they give it away for free?

Of the three you think of as "likely" only the American black bear is actually very "likely".
The American Black bear is more popular than the tortoise so I think they could both easily fit for it. Also the red deer was pretty popular. I could be misrembering but I think it was top 30 on the meta. Still think baboon is too unique to get I though. Maybe a langur or Squirrel Monkey could work if we're going primates.
 
Maybe a langur or Squirrel Monkey could work if we're going primates.
I'm dubious about that. A macaque is more likely if they give us a monkey - like the barbary macaque. Langurs are not like any of the monkeys we currently have in the game, except sort of the proboscis monkey. The squirrel monkey is also rather different from the capuchin, but I could see it (though let's be real, they'd release another capuchin first).
 
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!)
I would Suhak (Saiga tatarica). 🥺
 
I'm dubious about that. A macaque is more likely if they give us a monkey - like the barbary macaque. Langurs are not like any of the monkeys we currently have in the game, except sort of the proboscis monkey. The squirrel monkey is also rather different from the capuchin, but I could see it (though let's be real, they'd release another capuchin first).
I think the problem with another Capuchin is the Capuchin is a DLC species. So I kinda struggle to think they'd release the tufted Capuchin (which I really think we should get given how much of a Zoo staple it is) as a free update. A Macaque would be based off the Japanese Macaque which is base game. So would make more sense. I'd invision the Barbary or, more likely, the Sulawesi Crested Black Macaque. Maybe Lion-Tail but I think that's different enough they'd sell it in a DLC
 
Vs the 449 holders of the Greater Rhea? Its the subpar choice and much rarer.
I mean, Darwin's rhea has almost the exact same number of holdings in the EAZA as the addax (54 vs 55), and more than the Somali wild ass (39) and dama gazelle (32). So why are those "zoo staples" while the rhea is too rare to be considered?

Of course I think the greater rhea is objectively the more useful pick given it's more widespread in Europe and also kept in North America (while Darwin's isn't). But I'd rather any rhea vs no rhea - I think a potential Highlands Animal Pack is one of the best options left for rheas (especially now both Grasslands and Arid have passed), and there the species of choice would again be the Darwin's rhea.
 
Oh, you got me!

No, you didn't. The black-and-white ruffed lemur was not highly-requested, and could be easily thrown together by adjusting the red ruffed lemur. They made us pay real money for the blue wildebeest, Asian water monitor, and dromedary, all animals which could easily have been anniversary animals, so you can sure as hell bet they aren't giving away the baboon for free. Honestly even the tortoise is an unrealistic expectation, because it's so popular that Frontier knows we'll pay for it, so why would they give it away for free?

Of the three you think of as "likely" only the American black bear is actually very "likely".
Given any baboon would just be a Macaque remodel that would be no more difficult than the Red Deer remodel of the Fallow deer, it is very plausible. Its not a new rig and any anticipated future packs are unlikely to be suitable for its addition (Islands, temperate, aviaries, domestics etc.) The main obstacle imo would be a potential gelada addition in some sort of Highlands pack.

And the black and white ruffled Lemur was very much a popular request. One of the most common animals in zoos, critically endangered, found in previous Zoo games, a Primate...
Just because it didn't excite you doesn't mean it wasn't highly anticipated.
 
Yeah, but that didn't stop them from adding the red deer. Though over all I don't think a monkey is a likely contender for the anniversary anyway.
Yeah I did think that, but I guess the red deer is flightly more unique from the Fallow Deer. Any new Capuchin wouldn't need any model change really.
 
I'm fairly sure as long as it's a rhea people won't really care which one it is. Case and point the wild water buffalo or the three toed sloth.
Both of which many community members were irritated by. Many were questioning why it wasn't the domestic water buffalo and the Sloth caused a big stir.
 
I mean, Darwin's rhea has almost the exact same number of holdings in the EAZA as the addax (54 vs 55), and more than the Somali wild ass (39) and dama gazelle (32). So why are those "zoo staples" while the rhea is too rare to be considered?

Of course I think the greater rhea is objectively the more useful pick given it's more widespread in Europe and also kept in North America (while Darwin's isn't). But I'd rather any rhea vs no rhea - I think a potential Highlands Animal Pack is one of the best options left for rheas (especially now both Grasslands and Arid have passed), and there the species of choice would again be the Darwin's rhea.
I'd agree with you if the addax and the somali wild ass had a near identical species with five times as many holders. Same reason other random decisions have always bugged me - White-fronted Capuchin over tufted, three-toed Sloth over two-toed, Himalayan Brown Bear over European Brown bear etc.


But I can't see on what planet a species with 450 holders in European alone and likely a similar number in North America + many holders in Asia is a worse pick than a similar species with roughly 50 holders worldwide.
 
Same reason other random decisions have always bugged me - White-fronted Capuchin over tufted, three-toed Sloth over two-toed, Himalayan Brown Bear over European Brown bear etc.
Eh, Darwin's rhea is still has a much larger captive presence than any of those species so it wouldn't bug me as much. From what I've heard, it's also a "phase in" species for the EAZA, meaning it's becoming significantly more common as time goes on.

But I can't see on what planet a species with 450 holders in European alone and likely a similar number in North America + many holders in Asia is a worse pick than a similar species with roughly 50 holders worldwide.
I literally said greater rhea was the preferable pick lol (where did you get "worse pick" from), Darwin's rhea just fits better into some pack ideas because it lives in more extreme conditions. Also I think it's pretty likely that there's zoos in South America that keep them too, it's just harder to get data on that.
 
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