Happy 2024! I, ZooBinh, am honored to be your host again for this year’s edition of the ZooChat Global Challenge.
Before we get started, let’s give credit to the creator of our beloved ZooChat challenges:
@Shorts. And of course, thanks to
@filipinos for bringing the game to the global stage, and to
@ThylacineAlive for hosting the past several years— including last year’s 10th-anniversary edition! I also want to extend a very special thank you to
@TinoPup for helping with the 2023 challenge.
Alright! This year, I drew special inspiration from…well, the year 2024 itself! It’s a leap year! The challenge is
Leapers: Animals that Jump, Hop, and well, Leap! Below, I’ve selected some animal groups that are known for their abilities to pounce and bounce for us to seek.
Mammals-
- Family Hypsiprymnodontidae (Rat kangaroo)
- Family Potoroidae (Bettongs and potoroos)
- Family Macropodidae (Kangaroos, wallabies, etc.)
- Family Petauridae (Gliding possums)
- Select Rodents:
- Subfamily Dipodomyinae (Kangaroo mice and rats)
- Family Petedidae (Springhares)
- Family Dipodidae (Jerboas)
- Subfamily Nesomyinae (Malagasy nesomyids)
- Subfamily Gerbilinae (Gerbils and relatives)
- Select Hooved Mammals:
- Family Equiidae (Horses)
- Family Cervidae (Deer)
- Subfamily Antilopinae (Gazelles etc)
- Subfamily Caprinae (Sheeps and Goats)
- Family Delphinidae (Dolphins)
- Family Leporidae (Rabbits and Hares)
- Family Felidae (Cats)
- Family Cheirogaleidae (Mouse, giant mouse, dwarf and fork-marked lemurs)
- Family Lepilemuridae (Lepilemurs)
- Family Lemuridae (Bamboo, true, and ruffed lemurs)
- Family Indriidae (Woolly lemurs, sifakas, and indri)
- Family Daubentoniidae (Aye-aye)
- Family Galagidae (Galagos)
- Family Tarsiidae (Tarsiers)
- Family Callictrichidae (Marmosets and tamarins)
- Family Cebidae (Squirrel monkeys and capuchins)
- Family Aotidae (Night monkeys)
- Family Pithecidae (Titis, sakis, and uakaris)
- Family Atelidae (Howlers and co.)
- Family Cercopithecidae (Old World Monkeys)
Birds-
- Order Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
Reptiles-
- Genus Chrysopelea (Flying Snakes)
- Order Crocodilia (Crocodiles and alligators)
Amphibians-
- Order Anura (Frogs and Toads)
Fish-
- Family Myliobatidae (Eagle Rays)
- Family Mobulidae (Devil Rays)
- Subfamily Oxudercinae (Mudskippers)
Invertebrates-
- Order Orthoptera (Crickets, Grasshoppers, Katydids)
- Family Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)
I’d like to note that (similar to the
2022 nocturnal challenge) this list is subjective, as the theme itself is somewhat ambiguous. Therefore, the list probably doesn’t encompass every animal that can jump, leap, etc. However, I believe did my best to create a fun list with a good variety of animals.
Again, here are the rules:
1. You have to actually see the animal, even if just for a second. You don't score if you visit a collection but don't see the animal (harsh, but fair);
2. Proof via photographs is not required, your word is your bond;
3. All entries must be presented in numbered list form, with scientific names included where necessary (simply to make it easier to keep track of and to avoid uncountable species being slipped in due to vagueness). Obviously, species do not need Latin names included, but this is not an avenue to slip in inadmissible species with vagueness;
4. You have to see the animal via normal public access (zookeeper for the day or photography days behind the scenes do not count) during normal public opening hours (i.e. no scoring because you know the keeper and can get access before/after hours). Basically, the species has to be seen as Joe Public would;
5. Any severely limited opening or private collections don't count for this challenge. Controversial yes, but see the previous point and it isn't fair to include a handful of days these collections might be open to the public as this might logistically disadvantage a large number of people;
6. Only public zoological collections, museums, public park displays, etc. count, animals seen at farms or pet stores do not count;
7. Report/update your progress on this thread as you go along. There is no official deadline to join; however, anyone who joins the game after May 31 can only count eligible species from their two most recent zoo visits;
8. Where open-ended challenges are concerned, only one subspecies per species can be counted;
9. Controversial entries due to splits will be discussed on a case-by-case basis
10. Domestics do not count, the animals must be in a wild form. You can count a species that's been domesticated just as long as the animal you're looking at isn't;
11. Hybrid animals do not count;
12. Wild animals do not count, all species must be seen in captivity under all the conditions listed above;
13. Anyone caught severely violating any of the above rules and/or participating in extremely unsportsmanlike conduct on or even off the forum is subject to disqualification (these are made for fun, by all means, take them seriously but please do not ruin the fun for anyone else. I do not expect to have any problems, but I've added this in just in case);
14. Any issues with any of the above rules are open to discussion but the rules are set and any decisions made are final;
15. Apart from the unlikely event that someone gets to see all the species potentially viewable by 12/31/24, the winner will be deemed to be the person who's seen the most on that date.
If any aspects of this year’s challenge potentially need to be changed, updates will be posted within the week.
Alright, I’m
hopping off to enjoy the rest of my night. Have fun
leaping into the new year and as always, good luck visiting zoos!
