Hey so I love lizards. Probably my favorite group of animals. There's a lot of variety in them and with only 2 habitat varieties I feel like we're really lacking. In terms of exhibit species I think all we need is a chameleon so I'm mainly referring to habitat species here. So imma highlight some options.
First is the Argentinian tegu. This one is probably the most unique one here as it's not a monitor lizard. Honestly this guy looks like if a skink had babies with komodo dragon. The main draw of these guys is that 1. As I said their different and distinct to existing animals. 2. They are extremely common having 89 EAZA holdings. And 3. They come from patagonia an area that desperately need new animals.
Next on the list we have the perentie. These desert dwelling monitors live in the harsh Australian outback. I feel this guy is firstly important because either them or my next choice are in almost every Australian zoo. And they are also the second largest monitor after the komodo being significantly bigger than the previously mentioned tegu. While these are probably the weakest choice here I think they still work nicely for some variety in a drylands pack or such.
Next here is the Lace monitor. These lizards live along the east coast of tropical and temperate Australia as well as in new Guinea. Their main draw though is them being aboreal. Though it most likely require a new rig with new climbing animations, an aboreal lizard would add a lot to the game. Especially as the flagship species for reptile houses. They have 18 EAZA holdings btw.
Finally we have the crocodile monitor. Or tree croc as some people call it. This monitor is also aboreal sort being an alternative to the Lace monitor depending on what you like more. They live in new guinea, a little bit of Indonesia and in some of the pacific islands and I also think they have been introduced to australia. They are slightly more common than Lace monitor with 20 EAZA holdings but it's up to you which one you like more.
I know that 3 of those are predominantly from oceania but I also think that is the area that needs lizards most. Still special mention the Asian Water Monitor. Just didn't feel as important due us already having a water monitor.
First is the Argentinian tegu. This one is probably the most unique one here as it's not a monitor lizard. Honestly this guy looks like if a skink had babies with komodo dragon. The main draw of these guys is that 1. As I said their different and distinct to existing animals. 2. They are extremely common having 89 EAZA holdings. And 3. They come from patagonia an area that desperately need new animals.
Next on the list we have the perentie. These desert dwelling monitors live in the harsh Australian outback. I feel this guy is firstly important because either them or my next choice are in almost every Australian zoo. And they are also the second largest monitor after the komodo being significantly bigger than the previously mentioned tegu. While these are probably the weakest choice here I think they still work nicely for some variety in a drylands pack or such.
Next here is the Lace monitor. These lizards live along the east coast of tropical and temperate Australia as well as in new Guinea. Their main draw though is them being aboreal. Though it most likely require a new rig with new climbing animations, an aboreal lizard would add a lot to the game. Especially as the flagship species for reptile houses. They have 18 EAZA holdings btw.
Finally we have the crocodile monitor. Or tree croc as some people call it. This monitor is also aboreal sort being an alternative to the Lace monitor depending on what you like more. They live in new guinea, a little bit of Indonesia and in some of the pacific islands and I also think they have been introduced to australia. They are slightly more common than Lace monitor with 20 EAZA holdings but it's up to you which one you like more.
I know that 3 of those are predominantly from oceania but I also think that is the area that needs lizards most. Still special mention the Asian Water Monitor. Just didn't feel as important due us already having a water monitor.
