Myrtle Beach Zoological Park - A 'New' Project

[Van Beal]

I contemplated waiting till 2025 to start this thread, but let's just say I'm a bit impatient.

We return to Myrtle Beach, a tourist haven which has some smaller zoological facilities, but none that really stick out from the crowd. Until now that is.

The Myrtle Beach Zoological Park hosts 945 species (72 amphibians, 270 birds, 125 fish, 83 invertebrates, 206 mammals, and 189 reptiles!) from around the world, with the intent of designing the perfect zoo visit for as many demographics as possible. From kids to adults, zoo enthusiasts to first-time zoo-goers, those looking for the standard zoo animal, those looking for the ever-elusive rarities, mammal buffs, bird lovers, herptile nerds, those hypnotized by the beauty of fish, and even those with a love for the creepy and crawly invertebrates. This zoo intends to have something for all of them.

And what better way to start than a trip to an island chain famous for it's massive tortoises?

The entrance area of the zoo provides a head-on view of the Galapagos Ecotarium, the first of ten themed areas, most based on where the species live, and the others... well, you'll see soon enough. Alongside this head-on view of the massive geodesic dome, visitors are treated with a massive copy of the zoo map (a rough version of which will be provided later) along with a box where you can acquire your own map.

Now for some animals.
The front portion of the Galapagos Ecotarium features a pair of semi-aquatic habitats, alongside a small water feature, decorated with bronze statues of a true rarity that can be seen inside. The first of these semi-aquatic habitats, off to the right of the building's main entrance, covers 500 sq. meters of area, split in a 75:25 land to water ratio. The land area begins sandy, but transitions slowly into natural rock, sourced locally and hence not of the volcanic variety. The water reaches roughly 1.5m deep at the deepest point, and is stocked with fish of various sizes, perfect for our flock of Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis (0.4) to feed on. So where's the mesh over the habitat, you might ask? These birds are rescued, and all four suffered injuries which inhibited their ability to fly, removing the need for netting overhead.

Possible Look of Pelican Habitat
Image Credit -> @TinoPup

Brown Pelican
Image Credit -> @pachyderm pro

Now to the opposite side of the entrance, visitors are granted underwater viewing and above-water viewing into a half-acre aviary, using false volcanic rock as a backdrop to a large sandy beach leading up to the nearly 400 sq. meters of saltwater, ranging in depth from mere inches to nearly 4m. The mesh ceiling of this aviary reaches 3.5m high, allowing for our breeding flock of Red-footed Booby Sula sula (4.4) to fly above the water and, when necessary, dive into the fish-stocked depths. Meanwhile, wandering the sands below, visitors can encounter the Galapagos Penguin Spheniscus mendiculus (20.20), a species not currently held in global captivity, and most recently accounted in North America in the 1960s.

Possible Look of Galapagos Shores Aviary
Image Credit -> @snowleopard

Red-footed Booby
Image Credit -> @RatioTile

Galapagos Penguin
Image Source -> WWF Species Page - Galapagos Penguin

And now, visitors are urged to enter into the geodesic dome and into the realm which inspired Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection, however this facility lacks any of the finches which were the primary reason for this theory's developments. The inside of this dome, however, will be held off until tomorrow, so as to allow any viewers, those of my previous Myrtle Beach project and those who are new to my works, to process the beginnings of a new excursion into the wild wonders of the world.

 

[MOG2012]

Is this zoo meant to be a continuation/spinoff to your other spec zoo project or does it share elements with it?

 

[Van Beal]

Is this zoo meant to be a continuation/spinoff to your other spec zoo project or does it share elements with it?

Besides being based in Myrtle Beach, this zoo isn’t meant to have any association with my previous project. I just like the Myrtle Beach area when it comes to being a good area for a larger zoo.

 

[Van Beal]

We return to the park having just entered the Galapagos Ecotarium officially. Dead ahead is the first of three 200 sq. meter spaces dedicated to subspecies of the island chain's iconic Galapagos Giant Tortoise Chelonoidis niger. Beyond the habitats for these tortoises, visitors are immersed into an environment not typically associated with islands: xeric, or desert-like, as makes up a decent portion of the islands' diverse ecosystems. These three drier habitats are backdropped by some more dense foliage, including Scalesia trees, donated by the Galapagos Conservancy in hopes of preserving these plants which are at risk due to competition by other invasive species.
In order from the entrance, visitors will encounter Sierra Negra C. n. guntheri (1.1), Volcan Alcedo C. n. vandenburghi (1.1), and Cerro Azul C.n. vicina (1.1) subspecies of giant tortoise, each roaming spaces that aren't typically given to larger testudines, being made up of drier grasses, sand, and rock, with a simple shade shelter hidden away in the back of each habitat so these impressive tortoises can hide away from the sun beating down through the glass roof.

Possible Look of Giant Tortoise Habitats
Image Credit -> @Mr Gharial

Volcan Alcedo Giant Tortoise
Image Credit -> @DesertTortoise

Sierra Negra (upper) and Cerro Azul (lower) Giant Tortoise
Image Credit -> @RatioTile

Passing by the final tortoise habitat, suddenly an island adventure dives into the depths of the Pacific Ocean. On the left-hand side of the visitor path, a 10mx7m window provides a view into the coral atolls making up the shallows along many of the Galapagos shores. Large groves of kelp and algae-coated rocks are dotted along the floor, but the majority are right alongside the window, giving an optimal viewing opportunity when it comes to the aquatic escapades of the Marine Iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus (3.3), a species that is, of course, unique on the continent, and in much of the world's captivity. A stairway up leads to the mangrove shores that make up the 200 sq. meter land area for the iguanas, alongside the roughly 300 sq. meters of aquatic area able to be accessed.

Marine Iguana
Image Credit -> @jayjds2

However, the look beneath the waves isn't exclusive to the left-hand side of the walkway. A window on the left, nearly twice as long (15m) and just as deep as the marine iguana underwater viewing window, provides an equally stunning view into the coral reefs of the Galapagos shallows. Schools of King Angelfish Holacanthus passer (25.25), Yellow-tailed Surgeonfish Prionurus punctatus (25.25), and Golden Cownose Ray Rhinoptera steindachneri (0.0.15) create a constantly moving tapestry of color and, in the case of the rays, oddly amusing smirks. Gliding along, often behind the larger schools of smaller fish, are Ocellated Eagle Ray Aetobatus ocellatus (0.0.2), a massive shadow in most cases, and Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sphyrna lewini (1.1), a species not quite as large as their eagle-ray counterparts, but sure to bring awe to most visitors with their predatory prowess.

Possible View into Galapagos Reef Tank
Image Credit -> @Chlidonias

King Angelfish
Image Credit -> @Great Argus

Yellow-tailed Surgeonfish
Image Credit -> @Zoological Point
(image not found for Golden Cownose Ray)

Ocellated Eagle Ray
Image Credit -> @WhistlingKite24

Scalloped Hammerhead
Image Credit -> @vogelcommando

After reaching the top and viewing the above-water portion of the iguana habitat, visitors are directed to the exit, which opens up into a slightly downsized version of the entrance plaza for the building. To the right-hand side of the exit door is a small garden, planted with Galapagos native plants, and decorated with bronze statues of the giant tortoises. To the left, alongside a path which eventually rejoins the main thoroughfare, visitors can take a peek into a rather simplistic aviary of 450 sq. meters. Standing as tall as the penguin aviary outside the entrance, visitors are treated to one of the few top-level predators native to the Galapagos Islands, being the Galapagos Hawk Buteo galapagoensis (1.1), another species unique in North American captivity, often perched atop the taller trees in this replicated dry forest. Being comparable sizewise to the likes of the native red-tailed hawk, this raptor lacks any native predators on the Galapagos Islands, but are endangered due to introduced species.

Possible Look of Hawk Aviary
Image Credit -> @Philipine eagle

Galapagos Hawk
Image Credit -> @King of Komodo Dragons

And that wraps up the Galapagos Ecotarium. The path around the hawk aviary leads visitors to a slight crossroads, venturing either back to the main trail and into the South American zone, or a quick stop in at Nocturnia, the zoo's night house, which is where we will head next. For now, enjoy, and any thoughts on this opening portion would be much appreciated.

 

[MOG2012]

This is an amazing and well-thought out zoo like your previous project. Is this zoo meant to be realistic?

 

[Austin the Sengi]

So far, I’m glad that you made a conscious effort of not going overboard with the chosen rarities, and I cannot wait for what’s to come with the advent of Nocturnia.

 

[Van Beal]

This is an amazing and well-thought out zoo like your previous project. Is this zoo meant to be realistic?

For the most part yes, using mostly species that (according to Zootierliste or personal experience) have a current holding in North America, and more specifically the United States. This rule of mine generally applies an exception to invertebrates, and of course some of the species above, and further to come, don't fit this but I like the idea of speculating those species.

 

[Ebirah766]

I think 50 angelfish would very much kill each other

 

[Osedax]

Is this zoo meant to be realistic?

Obviously not with Galapagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas and Galapagos Hawks...

 

[Van Beal]

I think 50 angelfish would very much kill each other

Out of curiosity, how large a school of angelfish could be kept together without causing harm to one another?

 

[Ebirah766]

Out of curiosity, how large a school of angelfish could be kept together without causing harm to one another?

Angelfish aren't really schooling fish. In a tank that big, I would honestly just go for a few individual or pairs of Eastern Pacific species, rather than 50 king angelfish.

 

[Van Beal]

King Angelfish Holacanthus passer (25.25),

King Angelfish numbers have been decreased from 25.25 to 3.3

 

[Jonathan Harry]

Awesome project! I also hope that marine iguanas can be bred in zoos or conservation institutions but it isn't easy. Even Galapagos-bred animals are still a handful in one place, namely iZoo in an area near Shizuoka, Japan. There are Galapagos lava lizard (Microlophus albemarlensis) and Galápagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus).

 

[Van Beal]

With the winding cobbled stone trail through the woods leading to Nocturnia, now is a better time than ever to get an idea of just where one is headed from here. And so, below, lies a list of the major zones (and their subdivisions) in the order which we will travel through them on this tour:

• Galapagos Ecotarium - already seen
• Nocturnia
• South American Trail - Chaco, Cerrado, and Patagonia; Andes; Pantanal; Amazon and Atlantic Rainforests
• Caribbean Coasts
• North American Trail - Deserts; Plains and Mountains; Woodlands; Everglades; Pacific and Atlantic Coasts
• African Continental Trail - Ethiopian Highlands; Sahara and Kalahari; Savannas; African Rainforest
• Madagascar and African Isles
• Eurasian Oriental Trail - Mediterranean; Eurasia's Edges; Asian Mountains; Indian Subcontinent; Indo-Malay Archipelagos
• Oceania Trail - Papua New Guinea; Australia; Great Barrier Reef; New Zealand and Pacific Islands
• Extremes of North and South: A Polar Journey

Along the path that looks like it might lead to a certain grandmother's cottage in the woods, visitors come across two 150 sq. meter and 4m high rustic-styled aviaries, constructed from wooden beams and steel mesh, prior to the entrance of the modern-meets-cobbled building which houses the bulk of Nocturnia. While both aviaries are designed on the same principles of concealment, the plant life within could not be any more different. To the left, a more tropical environment, with dense jungle around the perimeter, vines crawling along the front mesh, and large fallen trees providing perching spaces for our trio of Northern Tropical Screech Owl Megascops choliba luctisonus (3.0), a species intended to be added to the ever-growing list of breeding programs run at the zoo. Directly opposite this aviary, a more boreal environment prevails, dominated by evergreen conifers, ivy covering the mesh sides and some of the front, and fallen birch branches. Within the dense foliage, a nesting box is hidden, further concealing two fledgelings born to our pair of American Barn Owl Tyto furcata pratincola (3.1), a species which the head curator (A.K.A yours truly) only recently discovered was separated from Tyto alba

Possible Screech Owl Aviary
Image Credit -> @snowleopard

Possible Barn Owl Aviary
Image Credit -> @ralph

Tropical Screech Owls
Image Credit -> @Bwassa

American Barn Owl
Image Credit -> @RatioTile

Beyond the aviaries and into the building, visitors enter the first of four atria dedicated to life in the darkest hours. The first things you'll see in this atrium, to either side of you, are the 75 sq. meter and 3m-high indoor quarters for each owl species, accessible by hidden bird walkway. The remainder of Nocturnia's smallest atrium is made for display of the next habitat... or habitats, as is more fitting a description. The path runs between two mesh-fronted 100 sq. meter and 3m-high habitats, planted as one would expect a rainforest to be: dense, with criss-crossing branches and vines running seemingly each and every way. Of course, one wouldn't confuse these as being one habitat if there weren't a good reason. And the good reason for such confusion comes in the form of two half-meter wide wood-and-mesh tunnels allowing for travel between spaces, right over the heads of eager guests. While the mesh front of the habitats might sound risky, visitors are kept from touching the mesh by means of a simplistic wood-and-mesh separation barrier. Now, visitors can safely experience our troop of Humboldt's or Three-striped Night Monkey Aotus trivirgatus (3.3), made up of a breeding pair and their four (2.2) young, as one should experience these nocturnal wonders of the primate world.

Possible Look of Night Monkey Habitat
Image Credit -> @Philipine eagle

Three-striped Night Monkey
Image Credit -> @Moebelle

And thus ends a very brief dive into Nocturnia, which we will return to with what could be classified as a 'dive' into the depths of the underwater side of nocturnal life...
For now, enjoy this first atrium, and speculate future goings-on within the zoo... though I won't be spoiling too much in terms of what's to come.

 

[Van Beal]

Into the second atrium we dive, immersing visitors in a blue-lit underwater world. A combination of decorative rocks and fake corals and kelp paired with shimmering blue-light patterns make it feel as though they are truly inside an underwater cavern. Within the walls of this circular atrium, visitors can look into twin 315 sq. meter and 2m high reef tanks, one directly beside the doorway into said atrium, and the other across the atrium, where you head after viewing the first tank and the two tanks in the center of the atrium. The sandy floor supports growth of numerous aquatic plant species, which combine with the reef structure to provide an element of privacy for our Port Jackson Shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni (2.2.10), a breeding pair in each space alongside their recent offspring, being groups of 0.6 and 0.4 individuals, respectively.

Possible Look of Shark Tank
Image Credit -> @Milwaukee Man

Port Jackson Shark
Image Credit -> @Zoofan15

In the center of this atrium, a massive stalagmite protrudes from the floor, encasing two smaller tanks, cylindrical in original shape and roughly 6,600 gallons each, with the title 'Nocturnal Reasoning' in dim blue-lit letters. One tank is intended to replicate the depths of underwater caves, and nearby signage informs of the connection between this dark environment which our Blind Cave Tetra Astyanax jordani (0.0.60) call home, and their lack of eyes and skin pigmentation. Their neighbors, on the other hand, have not evolved an 'all-in' set of traits when it comes to nocturnal lifestyle. Replicating the riverbeds of the likes of the Mekong and Chao Phraya, this tank shows that the Clown Featherback Chitala ornata (1.1) is like any other inhabitant of the South Asian rivers it inhabits, while simply opting to live the nocturnal lifestyle. The signage to the side of this tank discusses why this species hasn't adapted the same traits as those seen in their cave-dwelling neighbors.

Possible Look of Tetra Tank
Image Credit -> @Chlidonias

Blind Cave Tetra
Image Credit -> @Haliaeetus

Possible Look of Featherback Tank
Image Credit -> @Mr Gharial

Clown Featherback
Image Credit -> @Otorongo

The third atrium presents itself in a winding, almost labyrinthine manner, with visitors passing between rows of habitats, varying in size, environment, and inhabiting species. To the left upon entering, four spaces in the form of a 2x2m terrarium of 2m height, are built into the walls, with the end of the corridor in the form of a 15 sq. meter and 3m high temperate forest habitat. The four terrarium spaces replicate the tropical climates of New Caledonia and New Guinea, respectively. The two replicating New Caledonia's tropics centralize large cork wood logs with a few branches protruding here and there. The mossy covering on the log and the surrounding rocks and soil allow our pairs of Bavay's Giant Gecko Rhacodactylus/Mniarogekko chahoua (2.2) to blend in with their surroundings. Meanwhile, multiple heights of branches in the New Guinea terraria provide an elevated perspective for our respective bachelor and bachelorette groups of Green Tree Python Morelia viridis (3.3), including a brother-sister pairing, taken from an unsuitable home, which display a rare red color morph. Displayed at the end of the corridor, in a true test of visitor patience and eyesight, is the small and elusive Feathertail Glider Acrobates pygmaeus (3.3).

Possible Look of Oceanian Reptile Terraria
Image Credit -> @ralph

Bavay's Giant Gecko
Image Credit -> @JigerofLemuria

Green Tree Python
Image Credit -> @TheGerenuk

Possible Look of Glider Habitat
Image Credit -> @Dhole dude

Feathertail Glider
Image Credit -> @WhistlingKite24

Now, to the opposite side of the first stretch of walkway, visitors are drawn to more species of the warm-blooded varieties... beyond the humans visible through the habitats, as they can be viewed from both sides (more on that later). Each habitat is approximately 30 sq. meters in floor space with about 2.5m of vertical space, ideal for the arboreal species which call each habitat home. The first two of these habitats, incidentally, feature signage informing that we are not housing two pairs of the same species, though the similarities between Derby's Woolly Caluromys derbianus (1.1) and Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginianus (1.1) become nearly indiscernable to the less knowledgeable, especially in the darkness of the room. The seemingly mesh front of these habitats is misleading, as this mesh is positioned behind a pane of Plexiglass, ensuring the safety of both our animals and our visitors. The habitats next to these possums are equally intent on providing diverse climbing space, but also, in the case of the last habitat in the row, education on why cute doesn't always equate to cuddly. Between our possums and the not-so-cuddly Pygmy Slow Loris (Xantho)Nycticebus pygmaeus (1.1) sits a species named for the elevations at which it lives, being the Northern Luzon Cloud Rat Phloeomys pallidus (1.3), with the zoo housing our parental pair and their two female offspring.

Possible Look of Opossum Habitats
Image Credit -> @Dhole dude

Derby's Woolly Opossum
Image Credit -> @Sicarius

Virginia Opossum
Image Credit -> @Daniel Sörensen

Possible Look of Cloud Rat Habitat
Image Credit -> @gulogulogulo

Northern Luzon Cloud Rat
Image Credit -> @Rhino00

Possible Look of Loris Habitat
Image Credit -> @TinoPup

Pygmy Slow Loris
Image Credit -> @Lucas Lang

From here, visitors round the corner, keeping the mammals on your left-hand side, and placing a new group of cold-blooded critters on your right. This next stretch of Nocturnia will have to be withheld for the time being, however it won't be long before we return to the final half of this nocturnal experience.
For now, enjoy, and bring forth any questions, speculations, or critiques which might be on your minds. Until next time!

 

[Van Beal]

The return to Nocturnia continues in the second stretch of the third and penultimate atrium in the building. With the previously seen mammals still to your left, the focus will begin on the right-hand side. Four tanks, of varying sizes and environments, stand in a row, with the two smaller tanks (0.5x0.5m floor space) acting as the bookends for the two larger tanks (1x1m), embedded in a false cave wall, intended to soften the edges of the glass walls of the tanks. The first of these tanks is, for the lack of a better description, rather drab. Stalagmites and stalactites make up the only intrigue in this cavernous habitat for a creepy-crawly house guest many don’t appreciate, being the Common House Centipede Scutigera coleoptrata (0.0.20), a species with thirteen more pairs of legs than their neighbors. These neighbors inhabit a flooded cave, intending to replicate the San Marcos Springs of Texas’ Edward’s Aquifer. Slabs of alternating false limestone and dolomite run like stairs from the front of the tank to the back, with the occasional overhand providing a little extra hiding spot, along with the large branch and small plants, for our group of the endangered and unique Texas Blind Salamander Eurycea rathbuni (5.5). The third tank returns to the land, opting for a more tropical environment than was seen in the first tank. This slice of Hainan, the southernmost province of China, even replicates the island’s annual fog cycle, with incredibly thick fog in January and February. Whether you visit during this fog cycle or not, your eyes will be tested with the incredible density of plant life making it difficult to spot our Hainan Leopard Gecko Goniurosaurus hainanensis (1.1), a species more common in the pet trade than in zoos. When in doubt, looking atop the central branch is usually a good bet to spot at least one of our geckos. The final tank in the row returns to the caves, however a more lush cave at that. Vines climb the walls while a small tree grows in the middle of the cavernous home of a large colony of Death’s Head Cockroach Blaberus craniifer (0.0.60), another species many an individual will avoid at all costs in any environment.

Possible Look of Centipede Tank
Image Credit -> @KevinB

Common House Centipede
Image Source -> iNaturalist

Possible Look of Salamander Tank
Image Credit -> @Azamat Shackleford

Texas Blind Salamander
Image Credit -> @Lucas Lang

Possible Look of Gecko Tank
Image Source -> Reddit

Hainan Leopard Gecko
Image Credit -> @vogelcommando

Possible Look of Cockroach Tank
Image Credit -> @biggiesmalls

Death's Head Cockroach
Image Credit -> @RatioTile

At the end of this ‘corridor,’ visitors come face-to-face with another oddity of the mammal world, which signage playfully describes as ‘the anteater’s armored cousin,’ a description that, while being a gross oversimplification, is not totally off-base. In a 30 sq. meter habitat replicating the semi-tropical forests of equatorial Africa, visitors are promptly told that for optimal viewing, eyes should be averted to the treetops. A dense, somewhat tangled canopy of both fake and real tree branches alike provides a perfect place for our pair of White-bellied Tree Pangolin Manis tricuspis (1.1) to curl up and hide away from the prying eyes of the public. The large termite mound on the ground, regularly stocked with the insects, paired with one-way glass and prompts to keep guests quiet, are intended to draw these scale-covered mammals down from their treetop hideaway and into the view of the visitors every now and again. Though plans for breeding are in motion, this species is notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, and so results from this plan likely will not be immediate.

Possible Look of Pangolin Habitat
Image Credit -> @snowleopard

White-bellied Tree Pangolin
Image Credit -> @betsy

Now the final stretch of habitats, before the final atrium in the building, stands to your left after one final turn down a third corridor. Three larger habitats combine to run the length of the wall, all three replicating more temperate environments than were previously seen. The first and third, in order of which you would encounter them on the walk, replicate the temperate and semi-tropical forests of Australia, and are identical in floor space, at 25 sq. meters, and height, at 3m. Both habitats feature nests in a large central tree, and enrichment options on the floor and along the tree-bark walls of each habitat. This placement is seen in a more strategic light in the third habitat, while in the first habitat small branches allow access to the wall-mounted enrichment for our rotating pairs of Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula vulpecula (2.2). The strategic placement of the enrichment? It gives an active reason for our group of Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps (2.2) to glide from the tree to the walls and back again.
Sandwiched between these two smaller Aussie marsupials, visitors are treated to an equally sized space in all dimensions, but this one is dedicated to an environment closer to home for those native to much of the United States and Canada: the deciduous woodlands. Fallen logs of the oak and birch varieties surrounded by dense groves of similar tree species create an immersive environment for a notorious species, this being the Striped Skunk Mephistis mephistis (1.1).

Possible Look of Australian Marsupial Habitats
Image Credit -> @snowleopard

Common Brushtail Possum
Image Credit -> @DaLilFishie

Sugar Glider
Image Credit -> @Daubentoniidae

Possible Look of Skunk Habitat
Image Credit -> @ralph

Striped Skunk
Image Credit -> @Nadchew_

And with that, we reach the cavernous entrance to the final atrium, one where visitors will finally experience the winged wonders of the mammal world that are symbolic of the nocturnal lifestyle (yes I mean bats). But alas, the journey to the end of Nocturnia must wait another post, but for now, enjoy this third atrium in its completion, and I would love for those involved to discuss species that could have made a home in this complex, while I do my best to round out this exciting complex in the coming days.
Enjoy!

 

[Van Beal]

The final atrium begins in a narrow passageway, surrounded by overgrown and 'crumbling' stone bricks intended to replicate old Mayan or Aztec ruins. Gaps in the brick walls, varying in size from mere eyeholes to several feet across or in height. These holes provide brief glimpses into two exhibits, found on either side of the hallway. The left-hand enclosure is slightly larger, at 1,050 sq. meters compared to 1,000 sq. meters for the right-hand habitat. These habitats are better viewed from the room at the end of the passageway, which opens up into a cave-like atrium with a domed roof. The habitats mentioned are viewable through large 4mx2m windows of one-way glass. Both spaces are densely planted with fruit-bearing trees, the (now) left-hand side being with acai palms and low-lying fruit shrubs as well as small bowls that get filled with pig's blood by keepers twice a day, while the (now) right-hand side features fig and date trees. The two spaces also feature nesting caves in the back corner, away from all possible visitor viewpoints. The right-hand space provides a home to groups of Egyptian Rousettus aegyptiacus (4.16) and Straw-colored Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum (6.14), while the left-hand space features the Seba's Short-tailed Bat Carollia perspicillata (1.12) and Common Vampire Bat Desmodus rotundus (0.12), hence the blood bowls.

Possible Look into Bat Habitats
Image Credit -> @USZOOfan42

Egyptian Fruit Bat
Image Credit -> @Brayden Delashmutt

Straw-colored Fruit Bat
Image Credit -> @Great Argus

Seba's Short-tailed Bat
Image Credit -> @lintworm

Common Vampire Bat
Image Credit -> @Moebelle

Visitors come to the final larger habitat simply by doing a 180 from either of the bat viewing windows, or by skipping them all together. This habitat replicates the drier parts of sub-Saharan Africa, with the majority of the substrate being sand reaching nearly 2m in depth before concrete is reached. Dotted with false termite mounds, dead trees, and dry bushes, visitors are immersed into the home territory of the Aardvark Orycteropus afer (0.1), with the zoo currently seeking a mate for our lone female named 'Khinzir.' It might seem excessive to contain a totally ground-dwelling species within 3m-high glass walls with mesh from the top of the wall to the ceiling, but our aardvark is less of the reason for this, while our small group of Brown Greater Bushbaby Otolemur crassicaudatus (8.4), made up of two breeding pairs and their combined eight offspring (6.2). A walk around this habitat leads visitors to a small corridor, where they become surrounded by a series of Plexiglass tunnels that, if all set out in a straight line, would equal roughly the length of an NFL field, excluding the end zones. This tunnel complex weaves along both walls and even into the floor underfoot, ensuring you are surrounded by the oddity that is the Naked Mole-rat Heterocephalus glaber (25.25) as you exit Nocturnia.

Possible Look of Aardvark and Galago Habitat
Image Credit -> @Dhole dude

Aardvark
Image Credit -> @Baringogiraffe12

Greater Brown Bushbaby
Image Credit -> @Rhino00

Possible Look of Mole-rat Wall Display
Image Credit -> @pachyderm pro

Naked Mole-rat
Image Credit -> @Julio C Castro

Opening the doors, visitors are (in all likelihood) going to be blinking profusely as we return to the light of day. Conveniently, the exit of Nocturnia puts us right on the trail to the first of our major themed areas: South America. The journey through South America will begin in a subsection surrounding the areas of the continent often ignored by the average individual, being the Chaco, Cerrado, Patagonia, and other smaller and lesser-known ecosystems.
The trip begins tomorrow, so stay tuned!

 

[Van Beal]

Chaco, Cerrado, and Patagonia

Okay, so this post is out a bit later than intended. But better late than never, right?
Visitors are welcomed to South America, behind the green veil of the tropical rainforests which cover much of the northern portions of the continent.
Right at the entrance of this area, visitors are given their first of two views into a 1.5-acre yard dedicated to species native to Patagonia. This first viewing area is also a dedicated Animal Encounter station, where visitors are able to feed the inhabiting animals under the watchful eye of one of our keepers. The second viewing area is more obscured, ensuring visitors are given a good view while our animals are able to go about their typical activities without feeling harassed. While visitors likely won't struggle to spot our flock of Greater Rhea Rhea americana (1.3) and herd of the Patagonian Huemul Hippocamelus bisulcus (1.5), the latter being a uniquity in North American zoos. However, visitors might have a harder time spotting the smaller and shier Patagonian Mara Dolichotis patagonum (6.6), even in their higher population in the space. The space was originally intended to house not the huemul, but another deer species in the Brown Brocket Mazama gouazoubira, another species which would have been unique to North America, however the acquisition plans fell through.

Possible Look of Mixed Patagonia Habitat (minus the Parasaurolophus)
Image Credit -> @SivatheriumGuy

Greater Rhea
Image Credit -> @JigerofLemuria

Patagonian Huemul
Image Source -> iNaturalist

Patagonian Mara
Image Credit -> @Julio C Castro

The left-hand portion of path at this point is now guarded by a metal railing, much like those intended to prevent pesky children from reaching the glass at marine parks such as Marineland. This railing serves to prevent children (or other less-than-intelligent individuals) from falling 5m to the floor below. This is, of course, a faster means of reaching the next destination, but is not ideal for the zoo. Instead, visitors are directed to a winding, gradually sloping boardwalk, making its way down, first to the floor of the 3,000 sq. meter habitat standing to the right-hand side, and then an extra 2 meters to the base of the 5m long underwater viewing window for this habitat and the neighboring one. The highlight of this first habitat is the flock of Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus (10.10) providing a wonderful show, whether they are above or below the water's surface. They, however, are not alone. The rocky cliff faces and shorelines of the habitat provide four additional bird species with homes, these species being the following:

- Puna Teal Anas puna (2.4)
- Inca Tern Larosterna inca (5.5)
- Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba (1.1)
- Grey Gull Larus modestus (5.5)​

As mentioned, this aviary has a neighbor. Identical in floor space and height, the latter being less than necessary, visitors again walk along the length of a 5m long underwater viewing window, providing a view of another guest favorite, being the South American Sea Lion Otaria flaviscens (1.3), another species unique in North America. These particular individuals were rescued from fishing waters, where they were set to be killed by local fishermen due to their disruption of the fishing haul. While the intent is to return these animals to the wild, the zoo first plans to bring in a second male, breed the species, and develop a stable population in North American captivity to ensure the species' numbers continue to rise.

Possible Look of Magellanic Shores Aviary

Magellanic Penguin
Image Credits -> @ralph

Puna Teal
Image Credit -> @Dianamonkey

Inca Tern
Image Credit -> @KevinB

Coscoroba Swan
Image Credit -> @FoxBat

Grey Gull
Image Credit -> @Prochilodus246

Possible Look of Sea Lion Habitat
Image Credit -> @ralph

South American Sea Lion
Image Credit -> @Azubaa

Visitors are directed up an equally gradual and equally winding boardwalk to return to the main pathway, where you reach the doors of the section's vivarium (to be named). Before entering the vivarium however, visitors can look to either side of them and into twin 350 sq. meter aviaries fronted by 2m long decal-marked windows. Both aviaries slope down from the back, with shallow pools further back, allowing the waterfowl inhabiting these spaces to feed in a more typical fashion. The shores of these pools differ from one another, with the left-hand aviary having a rockier shore, more suitable to the landscape where one might find the Flying Steamerduck Tachyeres patachonicus (1.1), while the right-hand aviary is softer and sandier, more suited to our flock of Lesser Magellan Goose Chloephaga picta picta (1.5).

Possible Look of Waterfowl Aviaries
Image Credit -> @gulogulogulo

Flying Steamerduck
Image Source -> Zootierliste

Lesser Magellan Goose
Image Credit -> @Zaz

And with that, we arrive at the entrance to the Vivarium, which will be explored in a more detailed post/series of posts in the coming days, so stay tuned for it and the remains of this section which lie beyond!

 

[Van Beal]

Apologies for the delay on posting, the next actual content thread will be up tomorrow. Busy week as it is my last at school before my holidays start.

In the meantime, I just thought I'd post and thank the individuals who put forward my thread for Thread of the Year consideration. Even if it did not make the final five threads, I am truly honored to have been deemed worthy by some of such a prestigious title on this site.

 

[Van Beal]

I do apologize for the lack of posts recently. The holiday season has been insanely busy, and it did end on a rather bittersweet note, so I will likely be a couple more days without posting as I recover from the drain of what has been an emotional and stressful few days.
Hope you all understand!