Overview
Right then, this year's (2018's) challenge is a little “random” but will hopefully prove to be popular and inclusive -basically you can play, for fun, without really trying or if you're a competitive type go all-out to get a near-maximum score.
About fifteen or so years ago my then girlfriend (now wife) and I picked up a copy of an “Usborne Spotter's Guide” for Wild Animals which featured various, you guessed it, wild animals with spaces to tick off each one as you saw them. Whilst it was a little optimistic with some of the species featured we had a good few years of fun ticking off most of the available animals viewable in UK zoos and a smattering of European zoos (frustratingly a small handful which are still potentially spottable still evade us to this day
).
Whilst trying to come up with something fresh for this year's challenge it occurred to me that the book offered quite a nice challenge -anyone can compare animals seen on their zoo visits to the list for fun but for those taking it more serious some planning and travelling will be called. The list is a good combination of “easy as pie” species, some needing more effort and some really awkward ones (e.g. Markhor, Giant Panda, Koala unless you come from Northern Britain). I think the harder and really awkward species are reasonable spread across the country to even the challenge out nicely.
You'll notice from the list of 189 animals there are 21 (asterisked) which, as far as I know, are not currently kept in the UK (though, who knows, that could change
). That leaves 168 animals to try to see -I'd say anything over 100 is respectable and achievable for a reasonably traveled UK aficionado.
The list is took straight from the book edited, only to clarify, where needed -I hope the names don't cause too much confusion. You'll also note there are some sub-species (e.g. zebras) which, although I usually avoid in challenges (for clarity), I've left in for maximum fun this time. Where a sub-species is not mentioned in the description (e.g. leopards) any leopard will do (including “zoo mix”). Note (to any smarty pants
) seeing 4 sub-species of a listed animal still only counts as one tick (i.e. once you've seen one leopard, seeing other sub-species doesn't affect your total). Apologies if any of the names listed do not provide clarity and feel free to ask me for further clarification if needed.
It's interesting, looking at the list, to notice those species which were once fairly common in UK zoos and have near-disappeared in the last couple of decades and conversely those that were previously absent and are now here (some fairly abundant).
As an aside, I think this'd probably make a fairly good Europe challenge as they'd have a few more species to go at (but not that many more) but I'll leave that challenge in the capable hands of Vision.
I look forward to the feedback on this one, including the, “I've seen all but 25 of those species in the past”.
Ready. Steady. Go (from 1/1/18). Enjoy!
Next: Refreshment of rules
Right then, this year's (2018's) challenge is a little “random” but will hopefully prove to be popular and inclusive -basically you can play, for fun, without really trying or if you're a competitive type go all-out to get a near-maximum score.
About fifteen or so years ago my then girlfriend (now wife) and I picked up a copy of an “Usborne Spotter's Guide” for Wild Animals which featured various, you guessed it, wild animals with spaces to tick off each one as you saw them. Whilst it was a little optimistic with some of the species featured we had a good few years of fun ticking off most of the available animals viewable in UK zoos and a smattering of European zoos (frustratingly a small handful which are still potentially spottable still evade us to this day
).Whilst trying to come up with something fresh for this year's challenge it occurred to me that the book offered quite a nice challenge -anyone can compare animals seen on their zoo visits to the list for fun but for those taking it more serious some planning and travelling will be called. The list is a good combination of “easy as pie” species, some needing more effort and some really awkward ones (e.g. Markhor, Giant Panda, Koala unless you come from Northern Britain). I think the harder and really awkward species are reasonable spread across the country to even the challenge out nicely.
You'll notice from the list of 189 animals there are 21 (asterisked) which, as far as I know, are not currently kept in the UK (though, who knows, that could change
). That leaves 168 animals to try to see -I'd say anything over 100 is respectable and achievable for a reasonably traveled UK aficionado.The list is took straight from the book edited, only to clarify, where needed -I hope the names don't cause too much confusion. You'll also note there are some sub-species (e.g. zebras) which, although I usually avoid in challenges (for clarity), I've left in for maximum fun this time. Where a sub-species is not mentioned in the description (e.g. leopards) any leopard will do (including “zoo mix”). Note (to any smarty pants
) seeing 4 sub-species of a listed animal still only counts as one tick (i.e. once you've seen one leopard, seeing other sub-species doesn't affect your total). Apologies if any of the names listed do not provide clarity and feel free to ask me for further clarification if needed.It's interesting, looking at the list, to notice those species which were once fairly common in UK zoos and have near-disappeared in the last couple of decades and conversely those that were previously absent and are now here (some fairly abundant).
As an aside, I think this'd probably make a fairly good Europe challenge as they'd have a few more species to go at (but not that many more) but I'll leave that challenge in the capable hands of Vision.
I look forward to the feedback on this one, including the, “I've seen all but 25 of those species in the past”.
Ready. Steady. Go (from 1/1/18). Enjoy!
Next: Refreshment of rules
Are you visiting any other Dutch zoos?
. That should read Hill Mynah and Lilac-breasted Roller -any chance a moderator can edit for me, please?