I suppose Desert Odyssey would be nice...
Dream zoo
- Thread starter CheeseChameleon1945
- Start date
I don’t mean to be rude or to pester anyone but just out of curiosity when do you think you will be finished with Desert Odyssey?
I haven't posted it yet, just be patient.
I'll post it today for sure.
Alright then I’ll be waiting for sure,I’m just so excited that’s allI haven't posted it yet, just be patient.
Desert Odyssey:
The desert odyssey building is one of the largest indoor buildings, with animals from all different biodiversity categories. My initial plan for this building to be mostly outdoor, with an outdoor section at the end. After that was completed, I felt like something was missing. The species I chose and the habitats I did just seemed very uncreative, so I decided to go back and edit some other exhibits in. And most of all, add more things other than reptiles and mammals. Now I've got crabs, Sengis, Camel spiders, and more. The building itself is located near the west entrance, and is pretty popular. From the outside, it has a very sloped look to it, with smooth sand-depiction like sculptures surrounding the outside walls. It is a lengthy building, with two main sections. Africa, and North america. No Australia or Asia this time. I think @Austin the Sengi would be glad to hear once you enter the 2 double doors, the first exhibit is for Four-toed sengis. Their exhibit has rounded glass, and multiple shrubs and sand formations throughout its small habitat. Before you really get into the main hot desert section, their are a few introductory exhibits. A large tank with Malawi squeakers, and Cloudy squeakers. Their tank is representing Lake Malawi. The final introductory enclosure is a river beach exhibit for Malawi blue crabs. Entering the vast desert landscape will show first tell you about some attributes of the desert, and how some animals adapt to these conditions, on signs. Lots of planted cacti are scattered throughout, and so are some tumbleweed and desert white noise. The first large habitat is glass fronted, and has lots of small caverns and rocks to populate the indoor area. This exhibit holds Southern african wildcats! 3 are held here, and they are all happy together. The exhibit is dimmed down a bit, so its lot totally bright. A small open topped exhibit across from that holds African pancake tortoises, a favorite of mine. After that, you go under a beautiful looking desert crevice. Smooth warm sand lines the walls in a wavy motion, and dimmed lights above make it look like you are witnessing a sunrise on the desert. Looks really cool, and the sides of the tunnel are pretty high as well. The next habitat will take you to a brighter desert aviary, this one holding Karoo prinia, Red capped crombecs, Cape clapper lark, Pririt batis, and Burchell's sandgrouse. The aviary has a nice feel of it, and plenty of inviting landscape features such as a waterfall and numerous cacti and trees, along with the bright afternoon lights make it a pleasant place to bird watch. However, a small dimly lit terrarium for Natal ghost frogs is right on the wall. Not entirely accurate for a desert setting, but a cool species I couldn't leave out. The next section is fun for the kids, and is called the dormouse hotel. The premise is, that these Woodland dormouse have started a hotel here in east africa, and it is made out of cardboard, toilet paper rolls, and of course, dry trees. The whole exhibit is glass fronted, rounded, and stretches all around you. So the kids can have fun watching the dormice, and the dormice themselves can enjoy the hotel.Kinda silly, but it works. I was originally going to have an outdoor section next, but it didn't seem realistic so I scrapped that Idea when writing up the blueprints. The next section has all terrariums, and these hold some smaller species for a change. It is a large gallery-like hall, but with desert rock pillars and caved in sides. It starts with 2 insect habitats, holding a Deathstalker, ( not the most friendly of species), and Camel spiders. The exact species is undetermined, but one in sub Saharan Africa for sure. A tank for Shield-head squeakers also has a land portion for Red sea geckos. A very impressive long terrarium with Nile monitors is the next habitat, and this one is designed to look like it is on a slope, but with rocky plateau levels located farther down. Its a pretty lengthy terrarium, and provides a lot of space for these large monitors. Comparatively, the other habitat for Ackies dwarf monitors is much larger, but also has a small stream feature. The final terrarium is pretty large, and has as large tree in the center, where Angolan pythons can hang out. The terrarium stretches to the ceiling, and has as pretty skylight feature at the top. We are still not quite in arid desert yet, as the next habitat is for the truly adorable Sand cats. It is designed to look like a desert at night, and a small projection of a moon is in the background. Its very hard to decipher actually how big the habitat is, mainly because of its sloped architecture that seems to last forever. A large den on a rock is where the cats usually like to sleep, except sometimes they just climb on top of it. Multiple viewing areas are provided, with one on the far left side, that has a good look at some of the den, while the other much longer glass fronted viewing area with a much better look at the mountainous terrain. Light fills your eyes once more, as the next large desert pathway is lush in cacti, and surprisingly baobab trees. We are in the cactus forests of Madagascar folks, and its a good thing too, since the next animal you are going to see are Verreaux's sifakas. You can watch them display natural behaviors here, as this is the largest habitat in the building. It is netted this time, and has multiple large baobab trees supporting the nets. The sifakas also can use they're remarkable jumping techniques, and they also have to avoid the spines of the spiny trees. The sifakas are very fun to watch, and their exhibit is large and spacious. The sifakas share their habitat with some ground dwelling friends as well, Angonoka tortoises. Since the ground isn't used very often by the sifakas, the tortoises have lots of food stations and small pools where the tortoises can hang out. Going farther in the arid walkway, will take you to a pretty typical habitat for Meerkats. Why? Because even the dream zoo got hit by the plague in zoos that is meerkats. A super small glass fronted exhibit for Namib desert beetles is located across from the Sifakas, and another open topped exhibit across from the meerkats for the beautiful Geometric tortoises is here as well. After passing those 2 exhibits will take you through a landscaped habitat for Rock hyraxes. And a small terrarium for bronze rock skinks as well.
That's all for now, this exhibit might have three parts to it, since I need to type up the rest of the Africa section, and I need to do North america as well.
Toodles!
The desert odyssey building is one of the largest indoor buildings, with animals from all different biodiversity categories. My initial plan for this building to be mostly outdoor, with an outdoor section at the end. After that was completed, I felt like something was missing. The species I chose and the habitats I did just seemed very uncreative, so I decided to go back and edit some other exhibits in. And most of all, add more things other than reptiles and mammals. Now I've got crabs, Sengis, Camel spiders, and more. The building itself is located near the west entrance, and is pretty popular. From the outside, it has a very sloped look to it, with smooth sand-depiction like sculptures surrounding the outside walls. It is a lengthy building, with two main sections. Africa, and North america. No Australia or Asia this time. I think @Austin the Sengi would be glad to hear once you enter the 2 double doors, the first exhibit is for Four-toed sengis. Their exhibit has rounded glass, and multiple shrubs and sand formations throughout its small habitat. Before you really get into the main hot desert section, their are a few introductory exhibits. A large tank with Malawi squeakers, and Cloudy squeakers. Their tank is representing Lake Malawi. The final introductory enclosure is a river beach exhibit for Malawi blue crabs. Entering the vast desert landscape will show first tell you about some attributes of the desert, and how some animals adapt to these conditions, on signs. Lots of planted cacti are scattered throughout, and so are some tumbleweed and desert white noise. The first large habitat is glass fronted, and has lots of small caverns and rocks to populate the indoor area. This exhibit holds Southern african wildcats! 3 are held here, and they are all happy together. The exhibit is dimmed down a bit, so its lot totally bright. A small open topped exhibit across from that holds African pancake tortoises, a favorite of mine. After that, you go under a beautiful looking desert crevice. Smooth warm sand lines the walls in a wavy motion, and dimmed lights above make it look like you are witnessing a sunrise on the desert. Looks really cool, and the sides of the tunnel are pretty high as well. The next habitat will take you to a brighter desert aviary, this one holding Karoo prinia, Red capped crombecs, Cape clapper lark, Pririt batis, and Burchell's sandgrouse. The aviary has a nice feel of it, and plenty of inviting landscape features such as a waterfall and numerous cacti and trees, along with the bright afternoon lights make it a pleasant place to bird watch. However, a small dimly lit terrarium for Natal ghost frogs is right on the wall. Not entirely accurate for a desert setting, but a cool species I couldn't leave out. The next section is fun for the kids, and is called the dormouse hotel. The premise is, that these Woodland dormouse have started a hotel here in east africa, and it is made out of cardboard, toilet paper rolls, and of course, dry trees. The whole exhibit is glass fronted, rounded, and stretches all around you. So the kids can have fun watching the dormice, and the dormice themselves can enjoy the hotel.Kinda silly, but it works. I was originally going to have an outdoor section next, but it didn't seem realistic so I scrapped that Idea when writing up the blueprints. The next section has all terrariums, and these hold some smaller species for a change. It is a large gallery-like hall, but with desert rock pillars and caved in sides. It starts with 2 insect habitats, holding a Deathstalker, ( not the most friendly of species), and Camel spiders. The exact species is undetermined, but one in sub Saharan Africa for sure. A tank for Shield-head squeakers also has a land portion for Red sea geckos. A very impressive long terrarium with Nile monitors is the next habitat, and this one is designed to look like it is on a slope, but with rocky plateau levels located farther down. Its a pretty lengthy terrarium, and provides a lot of space for these large monitors. Comparatively, the other habitat for Ackies dwarf monitors is much larger, but also has a small stream feature. The final terrarium is pretty large, and has as large tree in the center, where Angolan pythons can hang out. The terrarium stretches to the ceiling, and has as pretty skylight feature at the top. We are still not quite in arid desert yet, as the next habitat is for the truly adorable Sand cats. It is designed to look like a desert at night, and a small projection of a moon is in the background. Its very hard to decipher actually how big the habitat is, mainly because of its sloped architecture that seems to last forever. A large den on a rock is where the cats usually like to sleep, except sometimes they just climb on top of it. Multiple viewing areas are provided, with one on the far left side, that has a good look at some of the den, while the other much longer glass fronted viewing area with a much better look at the mountainous terrain. Light fills your eyes once more, as the next large desert pathway is lush in cacti, and surprisingly baobab trees. We are in the cactus forests of Madagascar folks, and its a good thing too, since the next animal you are going to see are Verreaux's sifakas. You can watch them display natural behaviors here, as this is the largest habitat in the building. It is netted this time, and has multiple large baobab trees supporting the nets. The sifakas also can use they're remarkable jumping techniques, and they also have to avoid the spines of the spiny trees. The sifakas are very fun to watch, and their exhibit is large and spacious. The sifakas share their habitat with some ground dwelling friends as well, Angonoka tortoises. Since the ground isn't used very often by the sifakas, the tortoises have lots of food stations and small pools where the tortoises can hang out. Going farther in the arid walkway, will take you to a pretty typical habitat for Meerkats. Why? Because even the dream zoo got hit by the plague in zoos that is meerkats. A super small glass fronted exhibit for Namib desert beetles is located across from the Sifakas, and another open topped exhibit across from the meerkats for the beautiful Geometric tortoises is here as well. After passing those 2 exhibits will take you through a landscaped habitat for Rock hyraxes. And a small terrarium for bronze rock skinks as well.
That's all for now, this exhibit might have three parts to it, since I need to type up the rest of the Africa section, and I need to do North america as well.
Toodles!
I’m just glad to hear that at least one species of Sengi can found in your zoo.Can’t wait to see the rest of the Desert Odyssey exhibit.
I'm pretty sure (don't remember) I have another species of sengi in the zoo, I think it's in the Nocturnal mansion.
Oh yeah I forgot about that species of sengi.Oh well accidents happen
I never said the species of sengi though.....Oh yeah I forgot about that species of sengi.Oh well accidents happen
Oh well then,what species of sengi do you intend to put in the Nocturnal Mansion habitat?
The exhibit has been all planned out for months now, there is just a lot of species in there and some not-so-great handwriting, so I would have to look through my species list again. Its one of my favorite exhibits, but do note this is not improvised on the spot. I've had all these exhibits planned out already, I just need to translate my blueprints and species lists into an exhibit tour.
Desert odyssey part 2:
The next room is fairly large, and really strikes you in its beauty. I like to call it the nighttime palace, because the architecture of this round room are like a palace. On the floor, marble fountains and a large moon sculpture hanging from the ceiling deck out this room. The exhibits in this room are glass fronted, and have smooth sand, and twilight atmosphere to them. The roof of the exhibit is a projection of the stars. There are 3 carnivores held here. The first of the three exhibits holds Blandford's foxes. Their exhibit has as slightly more canyon style look to it, and the animals can reach the ceiling, by climbing up their rocky mountainous inclines. The next habitat is for Caracals, and has large round permanent boulder walkways included. The cats can choose to be active and go through the various tunnels connected to the exhibit, or they can decide perch and take a rest on any of the flat boulders if they choose. I assure you this exhibit is perfectly adequate, and is the largest I could make it. The final carnivore is the rather dull one in my opinion, the Egyptian weasel. They have a pretty sub standard exhibit, with a large dry tree in the center of the exhibit. Their enclosure still looks very majestic, with the eerie desert nighttime background of the exhibit. Now, most of the remaining enclosures are reptile terrariums, and I wanted to show some of my favorite herps, insects, and fish that I wanted to include. Exiting out of the nighttime palace will take you to some interesting animal habitats. The next exhibit is a large open-topped pool for Oman garra, with a simulated large termite mound in the center land portion. On the left, 3 large glass fronted exhibits for some reptiles are placed, with Black-ocellated racerunners, Palestine vipers, and Blanford's fringed fingered lizards. The racerunners have an exhibit very reminiscent of the aardvark kingdoms of the night exhibit of Omaha, one of my favorite animal exhibits of all time. The vipers have a large barrel-style exhibit, looking like it has taken over an abandoned junkyard-style safari vehicle. And the fringe-fingered lizards have a sloped exhibit with a rounded dip in the center. All roughly a couple meter long exhibits. A small dry forest exhibit trying to look like it is located on the edge of a desert holds multiple Caucasian toads, including a small puddle of water. Directly next to it is a small habitat for Shield tailed scorpions. Its exhibit is designed to display how these animals glow, by putting UV lights above the exhibit, you may almost certainly always see them glowing a blue green color, a nice effect. Scorpions have also taken over the opposite habitat, as this is one for a Common black scorpion. On the wall an anatomy sign for how they use their stinger, pincers, and legs to adapt to their environment and to contain homeostasis in its environment is located. Scorpions are actually fascinating animals, and I want people to see them in a different light. The next habitat is fairly smaller, holds East African snake-eyed skinks, and has lots of rubble and rock structures.
A vegetated landing habitat just before you go up some stairs holds a Dahl's whip snake. Going up the stairs will take you to an absolutely beautiful sight. Its almost like your in the Lied jungle, (obviously better) but its a desert environment. It is somehow lush, but then you remind yourself that this is a desert, and dry dead plants and coarse sand are around you. Its truly magnificent, and really gets you to like deserts a lot more. Imagine the desert dome at the Indianapolis zoo, except its 5 times the size, and you are elevated higher up in the air. The first netted habitat on the right holds a large colony of Palestine sunbirds, with desert flowers, and rope-like wooden structures for the sunbirds to perch on. The males plumage really shines here under the afternoon light coming through the roof. Of course, the sunbirds have a neighbor. Directly next to the aviary, another open-topped exhibit for Egyptian dab lizards. Going down some sandy steps will take you too a large glass fronted exhibit for Desert monitors. These large lizards can lumber around in their open-topped glass exhibit, by walking through sandstone brick arches, and crossing small wet streams. And at the very top of the exhibit, a Taxidermy Barbary sheep looks over the exhibit. The next exhibit is covered in a net, with lots of fluttering (cute in my opinion) Desert long-eared bats. Interestingly enough, the exhibit is not actually nocturnal themed. They are pretty noisy, but have plenty of cacti, and desert rock in the background to set the scene of their exhibit. But the exhibit across from them has one of the rarest animals in the world. The Riverine rabbit. 5 individuals are kept here, with only 500 remaining in the world. Their exhibit is filled with shrubs and rock, and the rabbits have enough room to hide away from visitors for a while. This is a beloved childhood favorite Lagomorph of mine. When I first read about how they were endangered, it just kinda stuck. And sometimes people might think of endangered animals as elephants, rhinos, tigers, and California condors, but my mind always sticks to this rabbit. A small rock crevice nocturnal exhibit proceeds with our habitats, holding Lesser egyptian jerboas. Their exhibit is also inspired by Omaha's kingdoms of the night springhare exhibit, except my exhibit this time has a rocky boulder mountain in the corner. Of course, the venomous King cobra is one of the final exhibits in the Africa section, and their exhibit is pretty unique. You are essentially put in a big glass cube, with transparent panels all around you. The cobra's exhibit is a lot more natural, with as plenty of shrubs and dead leaves are covering the floor of their habitat. A king cobra statue dedicated to my Biology teacher is a cool tidbit inside the cube, but a scarier to some tidbit is a small nursery for Baby king cobras. Stones getting wet from a small steaming waterfall is also included in the exhibit, but also an interesting sign about how snake charmers actually claim to mind control their snakes is located on the wall. Such fun!
A small random swamp exhibit for Nile delta toads is located near the entrance, and after that is the final habitat in the African section. You are brought outside to look at a vast semi-wooded habitat for Somali Wild ass. Large red stones are surrounding the outer layer of the exhibit, with towering dry trees mixed in with the animals. A feeding station for this animal is also provided, with a large deck area with staff in place to help the guests feed the Donkeys when its lunch time. A few little cute fowls are also visible, and are needed to help insure the population living on for this species.
That's all for now! I will probably start typing the north american section at 4:00, but let me have a break for now. I need to take a walk!
The next room is fairly large, and really strikes you in its beauty. I like to call it the nighttime palace, because the architecture of this round room are like a palace. On the floor, marble fountains and a large moon sculpture hanging from the ceiling deck out this room. The exhibits in this room are glass fronted, and have smooth sand, and twilight atmosphere to them. The roof of the exhibit is a projection of the stars. There are 3 carnivores held here. The first of the three exhibits holds Blandford's foxes. Their exhibit has as slightly more canyon style look to it, and the animals can reach the ceiling, by climbing up their rocky mountainous inclines. The next habitat is for Caracals, and has large round permanent boulder walkways included. The cats can choose to be active and go through the various tunnels connected to the exhibit, or they can decide perch and take a rest on any of the flat boulders if they choose. I assure you this exhibit is perfectly adequate, and is the largest I could make it. The final carnivore is the rather dull one in my opinion, the Egyptian weasel. They have a pretty sub standard exhibit, with a large dry tree in the center of the exhibit. Their enclosure still looks very majestic, with the eerie desert nighttime background of the exhibit. Now, most of the remaining enclosures are reptile terrariums, and I wanted to show some of my favorite herps, insects, and fish that I wanted to include. Exiting out of the nighttime palace will take you to some interesting animal habitats. The next exhibit is a large open-topped pool for Oman garra, with a simulated large termite mound in the center land portion. On the left, 3 large glass fronted exhibits for some reptiles are placed, with Black-ocellated racerunners, Palestine vipers, and Blanford's fringed fingered lizards. The racerunners have an exhibit very reminiscent of the aardvark kingdoms of the night exhibit of Omaha, one of my favorite animal exhibits of all time. The vipers have a large barrel-style exhibit, looking like it has taken over an abandoned junkyard-style safari vehicle. And the fringe-fingered lizards have a sloped exhibit with a rounded dip in the center. All roughly a couple meter long exhibits. A small dry forest exhibit trying to look like it is located on the edge of a desert holds multiple Caucasian toads, including a small puddle of water. Directly next to it is a small habitat for Shield tailed scorpions. Its exhibit is designed to display how these animals glow, by putting UV lights above the exhibit, you may almost certainly always see them glowing a blue green color, a nice effect. Scorpions have also taken over the opposite habitat, as this is one for a Common black scorpion. On the wall an anatomy sign for how they use their stinger, pincers, and legs to adapt to their environment and to contain homeostasis in its environment is located. Scorpions are actually fascinating animals, and I want people to see them in a different light. The next habitat is fairly smaller, holds East African snake-eyed skinks, and has lots of rubble and rock structures.
A vegetated landing habitat just before you go up some stairs holds a Dahl's whip snake. Going up the stairs will take you to an absolutely beautiful sight. Its almost like your in the Lied jungle, (obviously better) but its a desert environment. It is somehow lush, but then you remind yourself that this is a desert, and dry dead plants and coarse sand are around you. Its truly magnificent, and really gets you to like deserts a lot more. Imagine the desert dome at the Indianapolis zoo, except its 5 times the size, and you are elevated higher up in the air. The first netted habitat on the right holds a large colony of Palestine sunbirds, with desert flowers, and rope-like wooden structures for the sunbirds to perch on. The males plumage really shines here under the afternoon light coming through the roof. Of course, the sunbirds have a neighbor. Directly next to the aviary, another open-topped exhibit for Egyptian dab lizards. Going down some sandy steps will take you too a large glass fronted exhibit for Desert monitors. These large lizards can lumber around in their open-topped glass exhibit, by walking through sandstone brick arches, and crossing small wet streams. And at the very top of the exhibit, a Taxidermy Barbary sheep looks over the exhibit. The next exhibit is covered in a net, with lots of fluttering (cute in my opinion) Desert long-eared bats. Interestingly enough, the exhibit is not actually nocturnal themed. They are pretty noisy, but have plenty of cacti, and desert rock in the background to set the scene of their exhibit. But the exhibit across from them has one of the rarest animals in the world. The Riverine rabbit. 5 individuals are kept here, with only 500 remaining in the world. Their exhibit is filled with shrubs and rock, and the rabbits have enough room to hide away from visitors for a while. This is a beloved childhood favorite Lagomorph of mine. When I first read about how they were endangered, it just kinda stuck. And sometimes people might think of endangered animals as elephants, rhinos, tigers, and California condors, but my mind always sticks to this rabbit. A small rock crevice nocturnal exhibit proceeds with our habitats, holding Lesser egyptian jerboas. Their exhibit is also inspired by Omaha's kingdoms of the night springhare exhibit, except my exhibit this time has a rocky boulder mountain in the corner. Of course, the venomous King cobra is one of the final exhibits in the Africa section, and their exhibit is pretty unique. You are essentially put in a big glass cube, with transparent panels all around you. The cobra's exhibit is a lot more natural, with as plenty of shrubs and dead leaves are covering the floor of their habitat. A king cobra statue dedicated to my Biology teacher is a cool tidbit inside the cube, but a scarier to some tidbit is a small nursery for Baby king cobras. Stones getting wet from a small steaming waterfall is also included in the exhibit, but also an interesting sign about how snake charmers actually claim to mind control their snakes is located on the wall. Such fun!
A small random swamp exhibit for Nile delta toads is located near the entrance, and after that is the final habitat in the African section. You are brought outside to look at a vast semi-wooded habitat for Somali Wild ass. Large red stones are surrounding the outer layer of the exhibit, with towering dry trees mixed in with the animals. A feeding station for this animal is also provided, with a large deck area with staff in place to help the guests feed the Donkeys when its lunch time. A few little cute fowls are also visible, and are needed to help insure the population living on for this species.
That's all for now! I will probably start typing the north american section at 4:00, but let me have a break for now. I need to take a walk!
Attention! I have to leave now I'll postpone north america section until later tonight.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Desert odyssey part 3:
After seeing the Donkeys, you are led into a main plaza building. This building has a food station, bathrooms, and a door out to leave the exhibit. You can decide to go, or you can decide to proceed through a tunnel into more desert exhibits, this time in North america. So lets go in there, shall we?
The first habitat is a nocturnal exhibit, with some fun inclusions of some Human made objects. Western spotted skunks are held here, with a design like a trailer park. Their are only 2 trailers here, but they have been taken over by the skunks. Simulated power lines, and of course some natural elements such as rocky outcroppings and sandy hideouts are also located here. A fun exhibit! A small terrarium built into a hollow tree for Rio grande gold tarantulas is also located here in this first nocturnal section. A large exhibit designed to look like a desert junkyard for Southern red ants is also an exhibit present here, even though a lot of people might not enjoy it as much as others. An interesting glass-fronted exhibit on the wall with several sandy plateaus holds Canyon tree frogs. The frogs usually like to hang out here, but a few shrubs and tumbleweeds at the bottom are also provided. The exhibit in its entirety is lengthy, and spans the entire wall. The frogs do kind of blend in sometimes, so look hard! But you finally exit the nocturnal section, and are brought out into the arid desert again. You are now suddenly walking on a short but sweet wooden boardwalk that travels over a river full of endangered Gila trout. The next animal you see is located in a desert vegetation filled open-topped exhibit, and holds Bolson tortoises. As for all the animals, educational signs about how you can conserve this species is there as well. A small terrarium that doesn't have much of interest in it besides the animals contained inside, holds mysterious New mexico blind snakes. A strange species in my opinion. A large tank that holds endemic Cui-ui's of pyramid lake of Nevada. Their exhibit has murky water, but visible rocky outcroppings and underwater foliage. I've always thought these fish looked pretty strange since I first learned about them. You are now brought into darkness once more, as the next animal you see is the Inyo shrew. Their exhibit has a large log in the center, where these little guys like to hang out. The glass panel to view this species is rounded, and looks like a caved in arch from above, looking at the width of the total exhibit. These animals are occasionally brought out by keepers, and shown to the public. A favorite of mine, the next animal you will see is the classic Texas horned lizard. Their exhibit is covered in shrubs and straw, and has coarse red dirt forming multiple inclines and caves where these lizards like to hang out. Occasionally, the Texas horned lizards will breed, and the dream zoo has little horned dragons to look after. They are so cute! The intricately patterned Desert iguana is next, and their habitat connects into the larger more spacious desert habitat above. They have multiple rocky outcroppings where these skiddish guys can scurry across, and the zoo does have quite a number of them. Now, of course you are back in the arid desert, and a small netted habitat for Texas Unicorn mantises is up next. Kids, unicorns might not exist, but why don't you take a look at these guys. This mantises patterns look stunning, and they really blend in with the wooded shrubs of the exhibit. An Arizona endemic, a small open topped habitat for Bezy's night lizards proceed right next to the mantis habitat. Their name always stood out to me, and they almost look like geckos in my opinion. Their background stonework is actually accessible by the lizards, so you might spot them up there if your lucky! But in the center of all these reptile exhibits, is a large forested area for Spotted owls. Large trees holding up the net are majestic looking, and mossy stones on the ground blend perfectly with the surrounding shrubs. A large tree in the center of the exhibit has multiple areas for the Flightless spotted owls to perch, and their camouflage really does blend in. A large waterfall area is also included, just to add a little bedazzle, an some running water. Going into a brief alcove through the arid desert walkway has a small open-topped exhibit for Colorado river toads as well. But back into the sunlight, a free roaming batch of Gambel's quails are mixed in here, not gaining access to the owl exhibit however. There is a large cactus in the center, and a small pond as well. Sometimes the quails are interested in the humans, and choose to rest on the concrete railings of the path, and I just have to say the females look just as good as the males for this species. Also free roaming, are Gilded flickers, Arizona mud turtles, Bell's sparrows, LeConte's thrashers, and numerous dragonflies such as the beautiful Flame skimmer. Under the tunnel we go, and a few pockets are located. An exhibit designed to look like the deck of a porch is home to the well known Gila monster, not really anything else to say about that. And some rattlesnakes in low-lit exhibits are also located here, holding species such as the awesomely marked Pygmy rattlesnake, Mexican dusky rattlesnake, Tiger rattlesnake, Long-tail rattlesnake, Mojave rattlesnake, and rock rattlesnakes. So yeah, a lot of rattlesnakes here. Each normally get their own habitat, but sometimes the large glass-fronted exhibit in the arid desert section, that looks like the entrance to an abandoned sulfur mine, is occupied with a random species. Sometimes it might be The pygmy rattlesnakes, or sometimes it might be the Mojave rattlesnake, who knows? One thing is for sure. There is going to be a lot of rattlesnakes at this zoo that's for sure. The final bottom-ground trail has a large netted enclosure for frisky Burrowing owls. Most of the owls choose to scurry along the ground, but sometimes they may climb a dry tree exhibit if they wish. Another large rocky exhibit next to the owls holds multiple Common chuckwallas, and a smaller glass covered terrarium holds an exhibit that looks like a poets desk, and on the wall there is a poem for the Rosy boa.
A large creek exhibit for Valley quails, including some chicks. The final 2 habitats are in the last tunnel, a dark rocky exhibit for Cacomistle, (B. Sumichrasti), a favorite of mine. They almost look like cats! And a small terrarium for Western spadefoot toads near the exit.
That's all for now folks! I will do western ghats hitchhike next. I hope you enjoyed it!
After seeing the Donkeys, you are led into a main plaza building. This building has a food station, bathrooms, and a door out to leave the exhibit. You can decide to go, or you can decide to proceed through a tunnel into more desert exhibits, this time in North america. So lets go in there, shall we?
The first habitat is a nocturnal exhibit, with some fun inclusions of some Human made objects. Western spotted skunks are held here, with a design like a trailer park. Their are only 2 trailers here, but they have been taken over by the skunks. Simulated power lines, and of course some natural elements such as rocky outcroppings and sandy hideouts are also located here. A fun exhibit! A small terrarium built into a hollow tree for Rio grande gold tarantulas is also located here in this first nocturnal section. A large exhibit designed to look like a desert junkyard for Southern red ants is also an exhibit present here, even though a lot of people might not enjoy it as much as others. An interesting glass-fronted exhibit on the wall with several sandy plateaus holds Canyon tree frogs. The frogs usually like to hang out here, but a few shrubs and tumbleweeds at the bottom are also provided. The exhibit in its entirety is lengthy, and spans the entire wall. The frogs do kind of blend in sometimes, so look hard! But you finally exit the nocturnal section, and are brought out into the arid desert again. You are now suddenly walking on a short but sweet wooden boardwalk that travels over a river full of endangered Gila trout. The next animal you see is located in a desert vegetation filled open-topped exhibit, and holds Bolson tortoises. As for all the animals, educational signs about how you can conserve this species is there as well. A small terrarium that doesn't have much of interest in it besides the animals contained inside, holds mysterious New mexico blind snakes. A strange species in my opinion. A large tank that holds endemic Cui-ui's of pyramid lake of Nevada. Their exhibit has murky water, but visible rocky outcroppings and underwater foliage. I've always thought these fish looked pretty strange since I first learned about them. You are now brought into darkness once more, as the next animal you see is the Inyo shrew. Their exhibit has a large log in the center, where these little guys like to hang out. The glass panel to view this species is rounded, and looks like a caved in arch from above, looking at the width of the total exhibit. These animals are occasionally brought out by keepers, and shown to the public. A favorite of mine, the next animal you will see is the classic Texas horned lizard. Their exhibit is covered in shrubs and straw, and has coarse red dirt forming multiple inclines and caves where these lizards like to hang out. Occasionally, the Texas horned lizards will breed, and the dream zoo has little horned dragons to look after. They are so cute! The intricately patterned Desert iguana is next, and their habitat connects into the larger more spacious desert habitat above. They have multiple rocky outcroppings where these skiddish guys can scurry across, and the zoo does have quite a number of them. Now, of course you are back in the arid desert, and a small netted habitat for Texas Unicorn mantises is up next. Kids, unicorns might not exist, but why don't you take a look at these guys. This mantises patterns look stunning, and they really blend in with the wooded shrubs of the exhibit. An Arizona endemic, a small open topped habitat for Bezy's night lizards proceed right next to the mantis habitat. Their name always stood out to me, and they almost look like geckos in my opinion. Their background stonework is actually accessible by the lizards, so you might spot them up there if your lucky! But in the center of all these reptile exhibits, is a large forested area for Spotted owls. Large trees holding up the net are majestic looking, and mossy stones on the ground blend perfectly with the surrounding shrubs. A large tree in the center of the exhibit has multiple areas for the Flightless spotted owls to perch, and their camouflage really does blend in. A large waterfall area is also included, just to add a little bedazzle, an some running water. Going into a brief alcove through the arid desert walkway has a small open-topped exhibit for Colorado river toads as well. But back into the sunlight, a free roaming batch of Gambel's quails are mixed in here, not gaining access to the owl exhibit however. There is a large cactus in the center, and a small pond as well. Sometimes the quails are interested in the humans, and choose to rest on the concrete railings of the path, and I just have to say the females look just as good as the males for this species. Also free roaming, are Gilded flickers, Arizona mud turtles, Bell's sparrows, LeConte's thrashers, and numerous dragonflies such as the beautiful Flame skimmer. Under the tunnel we go, and a few pockets are located. An exhibit designed to look like the deck of a porch is home to the well known Gila monster, not really anything else to say about that. And some rattlesnakes in low-lit exhibits are also located here, holding species such as the awesomely marked Pygmy rattlesnake, Mexican dusky rattlesnake, Tiger rattlesnake, Long-tail rattlesnake, Mojave rattlesnake, and rock rattlesnakes. So yeah, a lot of rattlesnakes here. Each normally get their own habitat, but sometimes the large glass-fronted exhibit in the arid desert section, that looks like the entrance to an abandoned sulfur mine, is occupied with a random species. Sometimes it might be The pygmy rattlesnakes, or sometimes it might be the Mojave rattlesnake, who knows? One thing is for sure. There is going to be a lot of rattlesnakes at this zoo that's for sure. The final bottom-ground trail has a large netted enclosure for frisky Burrowing owls. Most of the owls choose to scurry along the ground, but sometimes they may climb a dry tree exhibit if they wish. Another large rocky exhibit next to the owls holds multiple Common chuckwallas, and a smaller glass covered terrarium holds an exhibit that looks like a poets desk, and on the wall there is a poem for the Rosy boa.
A large creek exhibit for Valley quails, including some chicks. The final 2 habitats are in the last tunnel, a dark rocky exhibit for Cacomistle, (B. Sumichrasti), a favorite of mine. They almost look like cats! And a small terrarium for Western spadefoot toads near the exit.
That's all for now folks! I will do western ghats hitchhike next. I hope you enjoyed it!
I really can’t wait to see the Western Ghats Hitchhike exhibit and also do you have the slightest idea on when you might be finished with the habitat.
(I will wait if it takes a while to get the exhibit finished)
(I will wait if it takes a while to get the exhibit finished)
I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I have lots of schoolwork to do, and multiple other things I am doing. I really love to do this dream zoo, I just can't promise you that I will update everything every day. I need some free time, and I don't have much of it during the week. Just be patient, I will post the exhibit eventually.
No worries @CheeseChameleon2007 I also have a lot of things to work on (including school) so you’re not alone.
I hope you understand that this takes time, and I can't really always meet your deadlines that you keep plotting for me. But I enjoy the dream zoo as much as you, and Im always excited to share my Ideas with everyone.
Hey everyone, just letting you know that I will probably post pone my next dream zoo update until Friday, I have a lot of work to do, and I just wanted to let you guys there to hang in there, I'll update soon enough.
You do whatever is best for you. Your own life comes before stuff like this.