What groups of animals are "obligatory" for zoos?

[evilmonkey239]

Maybe for large zoos, although I've been to small zoos that have lacked multiple of these categories. I think for an argument about what animals are "obligatory" for zoos, the small zoos are the most relevant ones anyways as they will inevitably have the more difficult decisions of what animals to keep or not keep given the spatial constraints.

Right, well, I can only speak from experience. The vast majority of small zoos I’ve been to have had at least one animal from every category I listed, even if say, the Artiodactyls are limited to domestic goats or the gamebirds to Indian peafowl.

 

[StoppableSan]

Proboscidea.

 

[Dassie rat]

Proboscidea.

Many zoos don't have the space or money to keep elephants properly

 

[Utahraptor]

Caprinae.

Multiple zoos have at least a domestic goat, aoudad or some kind of cold climate caprinae (musk ox, ibex or takin), of course that there's zoos without them, as no group of animal is "obligatory" to a facility, but it seems more likely to a zoo have a goat than not having one.

 

[StoppableSan]

Many zoos don't have the space or money to keep elephants properly

I could not have been more clearly joking if I tried. I love elephants myself and even I know that's the case.

 

[RatioTile]

Crickets, mealworms, and superworms. No matter what animals are in the collection, at least some will need to eat feeder insects.

 

[elefante]

Maybe not a group, but one type that seems obligatory is "pet store" type animals like bearded dragons, tarantulas, degus, and budgies. They seem to be in an exhibit called "discovery barn" or something to that effect.

 

[tigris115]

I think primates are something any zoo should strive for if they can be kept well.

Especially small monkeys can be really engaging as an exhibit.

 

[elefante]

I think primates are something any zoo should strive for if they can be kept well.

Especially small monkeys can be really engaging as an exhibit.

Agreed. The only AZA place I've been without primates is the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. As far as unaccredited go only Bear Country USA and Reptile Gardens. Those are understandable since they are niche and primates don't fit the mold.