ZooSC at Myrtle Beach: A New Spec Zoo Project
- Thread starter Van Beal
- Start date
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
With the popularity of the opinion put forth by @Ebirah766 I believe that, upon completing this zoo, my rehauling will occur on a new (and hopefully just as popular) thread. Thank you all for expressing your opinions! Now, back to the zoo itself...
African Jungle Exploration Building Cont'd
We left off in the midst of a walkthrough African aviary (see end of page 6). As mentioned, another habitat is meshed-off from this main aviary, and provides a home to a different, not-so bird-friendly, species. At 450 sq. meters, this exhibit mocks out a river flowing through a valley, with a small but roaring waterfall at one end. The path makes a 2m dip down to the bottom of the underwater viewing portion of the exhibit. As you near the end of the exhibit and the PVC-strip door that tells you've reached the end of the aviary, four small holes are found in the glass (not in the underwater window). These holes allow a small bit of interaction between you and the pair of Spotted-neck Otter Hydrictis maculicollis (1.1), a species we hope to breed in future.
Possible Look of Otter Habitat -> image courtesy of @Milwaukee Man
Spotted-neck Otter -> image courtesy of @DesertTortoise
Having officially exited the aviary, visitors get the full force of the roaring of a much bigger waterfall roaring from the top of a large false-rock wall, overgrown with smaller ferns and mosses. This waterfall feeds a massive filtered pool making up roughly 1/3 of this half-acre habitat. Though a school of Ngege Oreochromis esculentus (0.0.20) can be seen through the extensive underwater viewing window (which passes beneath the waterfall), these colorful tilapia are not the stars of the exhibit. That title belongs to a bachelorette duo of Pygmy Hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis (0.2), who wander the densely-planted land area visible upon heading up the sloping path, and occasionally take a dip with the tilapia. In the shallows of this pool, visitors might spot our flock of Hamerkop Scopus umbretta (3.3). In the trees, our two breeding pairs of Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata (2.2) can likely be spotted roosting, or nesting in the dream circumstances.
Possible Look of Underwater Window -> image courtesy of @snowleopard
Ngege -> image courtesy of @arcticwolf
Possible View of Pygmy Hippo Habitat -> image courtesy of @TheImmigrant1
Pygmy Hippopotamus -> image courtesy of @Toki
Hamerkop -> image courtesy of @FoxBat
Great Blue Turaco -> image courtesy of @Nadchew_
The great wall of false rock opens (not really, it was always open), leading visitors into the darker reaches of African caves. Despite this environment being perfect for a certain airborne mammal, these caverns are not meant for nocturnal life, but rather the fish and invertebrate species of Africa. The first of these tanks is quite large, replicating the rocky environment below the surface of Lake Malawi. This tank features roughly 15 pure species of Lake Malawi Cichlids Various genera and species (150 total). Detailing on which pure species inhabit the tank may come in future, though with the hybridization that can occur among the cichlids, it is unclear how effective such signage would truly be.
Possible Look of Lake Malawi Tank -> image courtesy of @geomorph
The next two tanks are both identical in size to one another, but much smaller than the cichlid tank. Beyond the size, these two tanks are variable from one another. The first is nearly bare of any aquatic plant life, instead featuring a pair of logs to provide a lone Aba Aba Knifefish Gymnarchus niloticus (0.0.1) with at least a bit of privacy. Directly beside, a more lushly-planted tank provides a concealing element for the ever-elusive African Reedfish Erpetoichthys calabaricus (0.0.3).
Possible Look of Aba Aba Tank -> image courtesy of @Chlidonias
Possible Look of Reedfish Tank -> image courtesy of @ralph
Aba Aba Knifefish and Reedfish -> images courtesy of @Zooish
The invertebrate portion of these caverns begins with twin tanks, side-by-side. These two tanks, while only being about 4 sq. feet in total area, are dense with plants, allowing for a single Mombasa Golden Sunburst Tarantula Pterochilus murinus (0.0.2) to inhabit each tank. These tank sizes only slightly increase to 1 sq. meter for our African Giant Millipede Archispirostreptus gigas (0.0.1), our Emperor Scorpion Pandinus imperator (1.1), and our White-eyed Assassin Bug Platymeris biguttata (0.0.12). The final of these tanks, while not increasing in floor space, is significantly taller than all the prior tanks, allowing our Giant African Land Snail Achatina fulica (0.0.6) to climb on their extensive branch system.
Possible Look of Tarantula Exhibit -> image courtesy of @Moebelle
The next post I make will be a slight media dump for the invertebrates mentioned above, as I am nearing the media limit for one post. For now, I leave you, though the end of the African Jungle Exploration Building is in sight, meaning the second half of the African Wilds is nearly upon us, and from there... Madagascar.
Stay tuned!
African Jungle Exploration Building Cont'd
We left off in the midst of a walkthrough African aviary (see end of page 6). As mentioned, another habitat is meshed-off from this main aviary, and provides a home to a different, not-so bird-friendly, species. At 450 sq. meters, this exhibit mocks out a river flowing through a valley, with a small but roaring waterfall at one end. The path makes a 2m dip down to the bottom of the underwater viewing portion of the exhibit. As you near the end of the exhibit and the PVC-strip door that tells you've reached the end of the aviary, four small holes are found in the glass (not in the underwater window). These holes allow a small bit of interaction between you and the pair of Spotted-neck Otter Hydrictis maculicollis (1.1), a species we hope to breed in future.
Possible Look of Otter Habitat -> image courtesy of @Milwaukee Man
Spotted-neck Otter -> image courtesy of @DesertTortoise
Having officially exited the aviary, visitors get the full force of the roaring of a much bigger waterfall roaring from the top of a large false-rock wall, overgrown with smaller ferns and mosses. This waterfall feeds a massive filtered pool making up roughly 1/3 of this half-acre habitat. Though a school of Ngege Oreochromis esculentus (0.0.20) can be seen through the extensive underwater viewing window (which passes beneath the waterfall), these colorful tilapia are not the stars of the exhibit. That title belongs to a bachelorette duo of Pygmy Hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis (0.2), who wander the densely-planted land area visible upon heading up the sloping path, and occasionally take a dip with the tilapia. In the shallows of this pool, visitors might spot our flock of Hamerkop Scopus umbretta (3.3). In the trees, our two breeding pairs of Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata (2.2) can likely be spotted roosting, or nesting in the dream circumstances.
Possible Look of Underwater Window -> image courtesy of @snowleopard
Ngege -> image courtesy of @arcticwolf
Possible View of Pygmy Hippo Habitat -> image courtesy of @TheImmigrant1
Pygmy Hippopotamus -> image courtesy of @Toki
Hamerkop -> image courtesy of @FoxBat
Great Blue Turaco -> image courtesy of @Nadchew_
The great wall of false rock opens (not really, it was always open), leading visitors into the darker reaches of African caves. Despite this environment being perfect for a certain airborne mammal, these caverns are not meant for nocturnal life, but rather the fish and invertebrate species of Africa. The first of these tanks is quite large, replicating the rocky environment below the surface of Lake Malawi. This tank features roughly 15 pure species of Lake Malawi Cichlids Various genera and species (150 total). Detailing on which pure species inhabit the tank may come in future, though with the hybridization that can occur among the cichlids, it is unclear how effective such signage would truly be.
Possible Look of Lake Malawi Tank -> image courtesy of @geomorph
The next two tanks are both identical in size to one another, but much smaller than the cichlid tank. Beyond the size, these two tanks are variable from one another. The first is nearly bare of any aquatic plant life, instead featuring a pair of logs to provide a lone Aba Aba Knifefish Gymnarchus niloticus (0.0.1) with at least a bit of privacy. Directly beside, a more lushly-planted tank provides a concealing element for the ever-elusive African Reedfish Erpetoichthys calabaricus (0.0.3).
Possible Look of Aba Aba Tank -> image courtesy of @Chlidonias
Possible Look of Reedfish Tank -> image courtesy of @ralph
Aba Aba Knifefish and Reedfish -> images courtesy of @Zooish
The invertebrate portion of these caverns begins with twin tanks, side-by-side. These two tanks, while only being about 4 sq. feet in total area, are dense with plants, allowing for a single Mombasa Golden Sunburst Tarantula Pterochilus murinus (0.0.2) to inhabit each tank. These tank sizes only slightly increase to 1 sq. meter for our African Giant Millipede Archispirostreptus gigas (0.0.1), our Emperor Scorpion Pandinus imperator (1.1), and our White-eyed Assassin Bug Platymeris biguttata (0.0.12). The final of these tanks, while not increasing in floor space, is significantly taller than all the prior tanks, allowing our Giant African Land Snail Achatina fulica (0.0.6) to climb on their extensive branch system.
Possible Look of Tarantula Exhibit -> image courtesy of @Moebelle
The next post I make will be a slight media dump for the invertebrates mentioned above, as I am nearing the media limit for one post. For now, I leave you, though the end of the African Jungle Exploration Building is in sight, meaning the second half of the African Wilds is nearly upon us, and from there... Madagascar.
Stay tuned!
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Invertebrate Media Roundup:
Possible Look of Invert Terrariums -> image courtesy of @Moebelle
African Giant Millipede -> image courtesy of @RatioTile
Emperor Scorpion -> image courtesy of @Elephas Maximus
White-eyed Assassin Bug -> image courtesy of @RatioTile
Possible Look of Snail Exhibit -> image courtesy of @KevinB
Giant African Land Snail -> image courtesy of @Hipporex
Possible Look of Invert Terrariums -> image courtesy of @Moebelle
African Giant Millipede -> image courtesy of @RatioTile
Emperor Scorpion -> image courtesy of @Elephas Maximus
White-eyed Assassin Bug -> image courtesy of @RatioTile
Possible Look of Snail Exhibit -> image courtesy of @KevinB
Giant African Land Snail -> image courtesy of @Hipporex
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Y'know what? Let's finish off the African Jungle Expedition Building right now, shall we?
African Jungle Expedition Building Pt. 3
Now, after the darkness of the invertebrate caverns, visitors might not be too fond of the next part of this trek. Yes, we return to the outside world, sunlight and all. So, a moment to allow eyes to adjust before we carry on.
Okay, the first habitat in what is called 'Primate Plaza' is not for primates at all. Instead, the habitat is a simplistic 200 sq. meter home for a breeding pair of Aldabra Giant Tortoise Aldabrachelys gigantea (1.1). The shade of a singular large tree allows for shade, while the series of flat rocks toward the front of the exhibit provides a spot for these massive tortoises to bask in the sunlight.
Possible Look of Tortoise Habitat -> image courtesy of @ralph
Aldabra Giant Tortoise -> image courtesy of @KevinB
Beyond the gentle giants of the Aldabra Islands, visitors are brought into contact with the first of the primates in this plaza. In five total habitats, visitors can view five different species. The first two species share two habitats combining to cover 1 and 3/4 acres. Interconnected by small tunnels well smaller than is usable for the larger inhabitants, our troop of De Brazza's Monkey Cercopithecus neglectus (2.5) is able to access the whole of this space. Meanwhile, the iconic Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla (3.9) troop are divided among the two spaces, with our silverback male sharing his space with five females, while the two younger males share space with the other four females. As well as being able to move between the exhibits, the monkeys have an escape paddock of about 400 sq. meters, which is off-display.
Possible Look of First Gorilla Habitat -> image courtesy of @ralph
Possible Look of Second Gorilla Habitat -> image courtesy of @Green_mamba
De Brazza's Monkey -> image courtesy of @GiornoPizza
Western Lowland Gorilla -> image courtesy of @NNM.
Now to the left-hand habitats. While these combine to cover 2 and 1/2 acres of total area, none of the spaces is shared between species. The first two habitats, each at 3/4 acres in total area, are rather dense in plant life around the perimeters, with large climbing structures in the center of each habitat. A moat provides secondary separation from the walls of the meshed-in structures. These two habitats respectively house troops of Mandrill Mandrillus sphinx (3.5) and Mantled Guereza Colobus guereza (2.7). The final 1-acre habitat in this plaza is nearly identical to the previous enclosures, however the mesh in this case is electrified, and separated from visitors by a secondary wooden barrier. No moat is present in this habitat due to the electrification of the fence. This habitat boasts the highly intelligent and aggressive Common Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes (2.7). While all nine live in this main habitat, separation areas are available should conflicts arise within the troop.
Possible Look of Primate Habitats -> image courtesy of @pachyderm pro
Mandrill -> image courtesy of @Rizz Carlton
Mantled Guereza -> image courtesy of @FoxBat
Common Chimpanzee -> image courtesy of @Rajang-GOAT
Visitors enter back into the building only to be looking outside onto a habitat of just under 1 acre. Dense with low-lying plants, and large trees creating a barred look with their trunks, visitors might think it a tall task to spot our two female Okapi Okapia johnstoni (0.2), sisters taken in from another zoo's breeding successes. Living alongside these enigmatic cousins of the giraffe is a much smaller species in the Blue Duiker Philantomba monticola (2.6). Both species are somewhat drawn toward visitor viewing by means of hanging feeders on either end of the window, at the heights of both the duikers and the okapi.
Possible Look of Mixed Paddock -> image courtesy of @felis silvestris
Okapi -> image courtesy of @RatioTile
Blue Duiker -> image courtesy of @Therabu
This ends the portion which will feature media. I am again low on media slots and the next portion requires lots of images, so I will do another 'media roundup' like the one with the invertebrates.
The final portion of this indoor rainforest is a series of seven herptile terrariums arranged in a sort of rotunda to the left of the building's exit. The tanks on either end of this rotunda are 6 sq. meters and roughly 1.5 meters high, densely planted for camouflage purposes by our respective pairs (1.1) of Royal Python Python regius and West African Gaboon Viper Bitis rhinoceros. Another 6 sq. meter tank sits in the middle of the rotunda, sandwiched between three exhibits on either side of it. This one strays from the rainforest, instead replicating the savanna after a rainstorm. This terrarium acts as the base of our African Bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus (2.3) breeding program. Immediately to the left of the gaboon viper and to the right of the python are twin 3 sq. meter terrariums, one replicating a drier woodland, the other a more vibrant rainforest. The former hosts a lone female Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis (0.1), while the latter hosts a pair of Eastern Green Mamba Dendroaspis angusticeps (1.1). The final two tanks sit on either side of the bullfrog tank. The first is a standard rainforest terrarium of about 4 sq. feet for Turquoise Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus williamsi (1.2), while the second is a near-full aquatic 2 sq. meter display for African Clawed Frog Xenopus laevis (5.5).
This officially rounds of the African Jungle Exploration Building, meaning the African Wilds is creeping closer to being complete, and our final sector is nearly upon us. For now, enjoy this post (and the following media roundup) and stay tuned for the next post regarding the return to Africa's grasslands and beyond!
African Jungle Expedition Building Pt. 3
Now, after the darkness of the invertebrate caverns, visitors might not be too fond of the next part of this trek. Yes, we return to the outside world, sunlight and all. So, a moment to allow eyes to adjust before we carry on.
Okay, the first habitat in what is called 'Primate Plaza' is not for primates at all. Instead, the habitat is a simplistic 200 sq. meter home for a breeding pair of Aldabra Giant Tortoise Aldabrachelys gigantea (1.1). The shade of a singular large tree allows for shade, while the series of flat rocks toward the front of the exhibit provides a spot for these massive tortoises to bask in the sunlight.
Possible Look of Tortoise Habitat -> image courtesy of @ralph
Aldabra Giant Tortoise -> image courtesy of @KevinB
Beyond the gentle giants of the Aldabra Islands, visitors are brought into contact with the first of the primates in this plaza. In five total habitats, visitors can view five different species. The first two species share two habitats combining to cover 1 and 3/4 acres. Interconnected by small tunnels well smaller than is usable for the larger inhabitants, our troop of De Brazza's Monkey Cercopithecus neglectus (2.5) is able to access the whole of this space. Meanwhile, the iconic Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla (3.9) troop are divided among the two spaces, with our silverback male sharing his space with five females, while the two younger males share space with the other four females. As well as being able to move between the exhibits, the monkeys have an escape paddock of about 400 sq. meters, which is off-display.
Possible Look of First Gorilla Habitat -> image courtesy of @ralph
Possible Look of Second Gorilla Habitat -> image courtesy of @Green_mamba
De Brazza's Monkey -> image courtesy of @GiornoPizza
Western Lowland Gorilla -> image courtesy of @NNM.
Now to the left-hand habitats. While these combine to cover 2 and 1/2 acres of total area, none of the spaces is shared between species. The first two habitats, each at 3/4 acres in total area, are rather dense in plant life around the perimeters, with large climbing structures in the center of each habitat. A moat provides secondary separation from the walls of the meshed-in structures. These two habitats respectively house troops of Mandrill Mandrillus sphinx (3.5) and Mantled Guereza Colobus guereza (2.7). The final 1-acre habitat in this plaza is nearly identical to the previous enclosures, however the mesh in this case is electrified, and separated from visitors by a secondary wooden barrier. No moat is present in this habitat due to the electrification of the fence. This habitat boasts the highly intelligent and aggressive Common Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes (2.7). While all nine live in this main habitat, separation areas are available should conflicts arise within the troop.
Possible Look of Primate Habitats -> image courtesy of @pachyderm pro
Mandrill -> image courtesy of @Rizz Carlton
Mantled Guereza -> image courtesy of @FoxBat
Common Chimpanzee -> image courtesy of @Rajang-GOAT
Visitors enter back into the building only to be looking outside onto a habitat of just under 1 acre. Dense with low-lying plants, and large trees creating a barred look with their trunks, visitors might think it a tall task to spot our two female Okapi Okapia johnstoni (0.2), sisters taken in from another zoo's breeding successes. Living alongside these enigmatic cousins of the giraffe is a much smaller species in the Blue Duiker Philantomba monticola (2.6). Both species are somewhat drawn toward visitor viewing by means of hanging feeders on either end of the window, at the heights of both the duikers and the okapi.
Possible Look of Mixed Paddock -> image courtesy of @felis silvestris
Okapi -> image courtesy of @RatioTile
Blue Duiker -> image courtesy of @Therabu
This ends the portion which will feature media. I am again low on media slots and the next portion requires lots of images, so I will do another 'media roundup' like the one with the invertebrates.
The final portion of this indoor rainforest is a series of seven herptile terrariums arranged in a sort of rotunda to the left of the building's exit. The tanks on either end of this rotunda are 6 sq. meters and roughly 1.5 meters high, densely planted for camouflage purposes by our respective pairs (1.1) of Royal Python Python regius and West African Gaboon Viper Bitis rhinoceros. Another 6 sq. meter tank sits in the middle of the rotunda, sandwiched between three exhibits on either side of it. This one strays from the rainforest, instead replicating the savanna after a rainstorm. This terrarium acts as the base of our African Bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus (2.3) breeding program. Immediately to the left of the gaboon viper and to the right of the python are twin 3 sq. meter terrariums, one replicating a drier woodland, the other a more vibrant rainforest. The former hosts a lone female Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis (0.1), while the latter hosts a pair of Eastern Green Mamba Dendroaspis angusticeps (1.1). The final two tanks sit on either side of the bullfrog tank. The first is a standard rainforest terrarium of about 4 sq. feet for Turquoise Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus williamsi (1.2), while the second is a near-full aquatic 2 sq. meter display for African Clawed Frog Xenopus laevis (5.5).
This officially rounds of the African Jungle Exploration Building, meaning the African Wilds is creeping closer to being complete, and our final sector is nearly upon us. For now, enjoy this post (and the following media roundup) and stay tuned for the next post regarding the return to Africa's grasslands and beyond!
Last edited:
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Herptile Media Roundup
Possible Look of Large Snake Exhibits -> image courtesy of @snowleopard
West African Gaboon Viper -> image courtesy of @DesertTortoise
Royal Python -> image courtesy of @Goura
Possible Look of Bullfrog Exhibit -> image courtesy of @Toddy
African Bullfrog -> image courtesy of @Ding Lingwei
Possible Look of Black Mamba Exhibit -> image courtesy of @NNM.
(see Gaboon Viper Exhibit image for Possible Green Mamba Exhibit)
Black Mamba(s) -> image courtesy of @Hipporex
Eastern Green Mamba -> image courtesy of @Batto
Possible Look of Dwarf Gecko Exhibit -> image courtesy of @Moebelle
Possible Look of Clawed Frog Tank -> image courtesy of @TinoPup
Turquoise Dwarf Gecko -> image courtesy of @ro6ca66
African Clawed Frog -> image courtesy of @Ituri
Possible Look of Large Snake Exhibits -> image courtesy of @snowleopard
West African Gaboon Viper -> image courtesy of @DesertTortoise
Royal Python -> image courtesy of @Goura
Possible Look of Bullfrog Exhibit -> image courtesy of @Toddy
African Bullfrog -> image courtesy of @Ding Lingwei
Possible Look of Black Mamba Exhibit -> image courtesy of @NNM.
(see Gaboon Viper Exhibit image for Possible Green Mamba Exhibit)
Black Mamba(s) -> image courtesy of @Hipporex
Eastern Green Mamba -> image courtesy of @Batto
Possible Look of Dwarf Gecko Exhibit -> image courtesy of @Moebelle
Possible Look of Clawed Frog Tank -> image courtesy of @TinoPup
Turquoise Dwarf Gecko -> image courtesy of @ro6ca66
African Clawed Frog -> image courtesy of @Ituri
NNM.
Well-Known Member
I did not expect myself to show up in this thread. It’s somewhat flattering.
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Well the images I did choose of yours were the best ones I saw.
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
We return, and finish the African Wilds
African Wilds Part... idk anymore
Having officially exited the African Jungle Exploration Building, visitors find themselves transported back onto the savanna. A short walk from the building's exit, visitors find themselves alongside a 250 sq. meter aviary. Very simplistic in it's design, the aviary is 3m high, and backdropped by a large false-rock cliff. This cliff conceals a small staff area where the zoo raises honeybees, with the honey used as enrichment for other species, while the bees are utilized as feeding enrichment for our flock of Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides (7.7). Sharing the space with the bee-eaters is a flock of Taveta Golden Weaver Ploceus castaneiceps (8.8), who created the nests that might seem precariously hanging. Living among the long grasses below these two birds is a much more timid species, that being the Kirk's Dik-dik Madoqua kirkii (0.4), in an all-female group.
Possible Look of Savanna Mixed Aviary -> image courtesy of @KevinB
Southern Carmine Bee-eater -> image courtesy of @Giant Eland
Taveta Golden Weaver -> image courtesy of @Zooish
Kirk's Dik-dik -> image courtesy of @Leaf Productions
Walking further, visitors may feel the environment start to shift on the left-hand side of the walkway, while the right side remains with the drier feel most would associate with a typical savanna. The aviary on this right-hand side, at 450 sq. meters and roughly 3m high, replicates the thornbush savanna, a drier variety than even the aptly-named dry savanna. Tall, dry grasses and dead trees dominate this aviary for Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus (1.1), with smaller live trees located toward the back of the aviary.
In a direct contrast, the aviary to the left-hand side, while holding the same spatial and height measurements, replicates the marshy feel of a wet savanna just after the rainy season. Dominated by towering papyrus, the marshy landscape is the perfect refuge and hiding spot for a lone Shoebill Balaeniceps rex (0.1). Signage on either side of the habitat allows visitors to compare their height to that of our particular shoebill, as well as the average and tallest recorded shoebills, as well as allowing a closer look at the bird as a whole.
Possible Look of Hornbill Aviary -> image courtesy of @conservationistdude
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill -> image courtesy of @Therabu
Possible Look of Shoebill Aviary -> image courtesy of @TNT
Shoebill -> image courtesy of @Sicarius
These aviaries give way, at least on the right-hand side, to the second large savanna habitat. This one, at 2.5 acres, houses the second half of our Masai Giraffe herd (see the first savanna habitat for the first half). Living alongside the giraffes are herds of Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Equus zebra hartmannae (0.6), Nile Lechwe Kobus megaceros (1.6), and Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis (0.12). The savanna itself, unlike the first, is viewed solely from the main walking path through the African Wilds. Large, wide-spanning trees provide shade for the animals and, in some cases, the visitors. The ungulate barn for this habitat is visible in the background, however it is not accessible to visitors.
Possible View of Second Savanna -> image courtesy of @snowleopard
Masai Giraffe -> image courtesy of @Julio C Castro
Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and Nile Lechwe -> images courtesy of @Max Blundell
Springbok -> image courtesy of @Nile Lechwe
The penultimate habitat in the African Wilds is really four yards. Each covering half an acre, two of these yards are off-display, while the others are along the left-hand side of the visitor path. The closest in respect to the prior savanna houses our herd of African Buffalo Syncerus caffer caffer (1.7). The second yard, and the two off-display yards, rotate between our three Eastern Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis michaeli (3.0) brothers, with plans to introduce one or two females in the future. Both habitats feature wallowing pools at the front, with dense trees toward the back and long grasses to allow for privacy for these powerhouse ungulates.
Possible Look of Buffalo and Rhino Habitats -> image courtesy of @Maguari
African Buffalo -> image courtesy of @Jakub
Eastern Black Rhinoceros -> image courtesy of @WhistlingKite24
And now, we reach the finale of the African Wilds, with a 3,500 sq. meter replication of a South African island preserve.
Home to the world's largest flock of a particular crowd favorite, Dyer Island lies 8km offshore of mainland South Africa. The island, and its recreation in Myrtle Beach, hosts the ever-loved African Penguin Spheniscus demersus (14.14), viewable from three different perspectives by visitors. The first, of course, comes by way of a 10m long underwater viewing window. The second comes from the main level, with a window right on the stony beach. The final perspective comes from the tops of sheer cliffs. This final perspective may be the first visitors notice of the mesh enclosing the entire habitat. But for what reason, you might ask? The answer lies in the birds which share the space, that being a group of White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus (2.4).
Possible Look of Dyer Island Habitat -> image courtesy of @ralph
African Penguin -> image courtesy of @evilmonkey239
White-breasted Cormorant -> image courtesy of @Moebelle
And with that, visitors have reached the end of African Wilds. Here, a large wooden sign displays one word which excites many a visitor beyond words: Madagascar!
For now, this is where we leave off, but soon enough, we will begin the final leg of the journey through ZooSC at Myrtle Beach...
Stay tuned!
African Wilds Part... idk anymore
Having officially exited the African Jungle Exploration Building, visitors find themselves transported back onto the savanna. A short walk from the building's exit, visitors find themselves alongside a 250 sq. meter aviary. Very simplistic in it's design, the aviary is 3m high, and backdropped by a large false-rock cliff. This cliff conceals a small staff area where the zoo raises honeybees, with the honey used as enrichment for other species, while the bees are utilized as feeding enrichment for our flock of Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides (7.7). Sharing the space with the bee-eaters is a flock of Taveta Golden Weaver Ploceus castaneiceps (8.8), who created the nests that might seem precariously hanging. Living among the long grasses below these two birds is a much more timid species, that being the Kirk's Dik-dik Madoqua kirkii (0.4), in an all-female group.
Possible Look of Savanna Mixed Aviary -> image courtesy of @KevinB
Southern Carmine Bee-eater -> image courtesy of @Giant Eland
Taveta Golden Weaver -> image courtesy of @Zooish
Kirk's Dik-dik -> image courtesy of @Leaf Productions
Walking further, visitors may feel the environment start to shift on the left-hand side of the walkway, while the right side remains with the drier feel most would associate with a typical savanna. The aviary on this right-hand side, at 450 sq. meters and roughly 3m high, replicates the thornbush savanna, a drier variety than even the aptly-named dry savanna. Tall, dry grasses and dead trees dominate this aviary for Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus (1.1), with smaller live trees located toward the back of the aviary.
In a direct contrast, the aviary to the left-hand side, while holding the same spatial and height measurements, replicates the marshy feel of a wet savanna just after the rainy season. Dominated by towering papyrus, the marshy landscape is the perfect refuge and hiding spot for a lone Shoebill Balaeniceps rex (0.1). Signage on either side of the habitat allows visitors to compare their height to that of our particular shoebill, as well as the average and tallest recorded shoebills, as well as allowing a closer look at the bird as a whole.
Possible Look of Hornbill Aviary -> image courtesy of @conservationistdude
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill -> image courtesy of @Therabu
Possible Look of Shoebill Aviary -> image courtesy of @TNT
Shoebill -> image courtesy of @Sicarius
These aviaries give way, at least on the right-hand side, to the second large savanna habitat. This one, at 2.5 acres, houses the second half of our Masai Giraffe herd (see the first savanna habitat for the first half). Living alongside the giraffes are herds of Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Equus zebra hartmannae (0.6), Nile Lechwe Kobus megaceros (1.6), and Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis (0.12). The savanna itself, unlike the first, is viewed solely from the main walking path through the African Wilds. Large, wide-spanning trees provide shade for the animals and, in some cases, the visitors. The ungulate barn for this habitat is visible in the background, however it is not accessible to visitors.
Possible View of Second Savanna -> image courtesy of @snowleopard
Masai Giraffe -> image courtesy of @Julio C Castro
Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and Nile Lechwe -> images courtesy of @Max Blundell
Springbok -> image courtesy of @Nile Lechwe
The penultimate habitat in the African Wilds is really four yards. Each covering half an acre, two of these yards are off-display, while the others are along the left-hand side of the visitor path. The closest in respect to the prior savanna houses our herd of African Buffalo Syncerus caffer caffer (1.7). The second yard, and the two off-display yards, rotate between our three Eastern Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis michaeli (3.0) brothers, with plans to introduce one or two females in the future. Both habitats feature wallowing pools at the front, with dense trees toward the back and long grasses to allow for privacy for these powerhouse ungulates.
Possible Look of Buffalo and Rhino Habitats -> image courtesy of @Maguari
African Buffalo -> image courtesy of @Jakub
Eastern Black Rhinoceros -> image courtesy of @WhistlingKite24
And now, we reach the finale of the African Wilds, with a 3,500 sq. meter replication of a South African island preserve.
Home to the world's largest flock of a particular crowd favorite, Dyer Island lies 8km offshore of mainland South Africa. The island, and its recreation in Myrtle Beach, hosts the ever-loved African Penguin Spheniscus demersus (14.14), viewable from three different perspectives by visitors. The first, of course, comes by way of a 10m long underwater viewing window. The second comes from the main level, with a window right on the stony beach. The final perspective comes from the tops of sheer cliffs. This final perspective may be the first visitors notice of the mesh enclosing the entire habitat. But for what reason, you might ask? The answer lies in the birds which share the space, that being a group of White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus (2.4).
Possible Look of Dyer Island Habitat -> image courtesy of @ralph
African Penguin -> image courtesy of @evilmonkey239
White-breasted Cormorant -> image courtesy of @Moebelle
And with that, visitors have reached the end of African Wilds. Here, a large wooden sign displays one word which excites many a visitor beyond words: Madagascar!
For now, this is where we leave off, but soon enough, we will begin the final leg of the journey through ZooSC at Myrtle Beach...
Stay tuned!
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
The Madagascar write-up has been completed, and will be uploaded here tomorrow, writing an end to what has been a fun project for me and (I hope) all those reading it. For now, the final species breakdown, bringing us to the grand total for the zoo.
Total - 472
Mammals - 160
Fish - 29
Herptiles - 104
Birds - 146
Invertebrates - 33
As for the rehaul... let's just say the wheels have been turning, and a full list of just about double the amount of species (some quite rare) has been produced, and the beginnings of the writeup have begun to take shape. Hope you all tune into that when I start to post it!
Total - 472
Mammals - 160
Fish - 29
Herptiles - 104
Birds - 146
Invertebrates - 33
As for the rehaul... let's just say the wheels have been turning, and a full list of just about double the amount of species (some quite rare) has been produced, and the beginnings of the writeup have begun to take shape. Hope you all tune into that when I start to post it!
Tigeanderson
Well-Known Member
I can’t wait to see what animals are in the Madagascar section and like what I mean by that is of course their will be lemurs but I can’t wait to see you add stuff that the guests would not expect to see and what I mean by that is species like tenrecs and Malagasy mongooses aka vontsiras.
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Madagascar
Visitors continue past the sign which ended the last content-filled post, venturing through a dense thicket of rainforest. Before long, a double doorway allows visitors to enter into the Spiny Forest Walkabout, a meshed-in acre intended to immerse visitors into one of Madagascar's many unique ecosystems. Signage dots the path where each species likes to spend the majority of their time, but the iconic Ring-tailed Lemur Lemur catta (0.18) is sure to attract much of the visitor attention. Despite the draw of this icon, visitors can spot smaller groups of our three other lemur species, namely the Coquerel's Sifaka Propithecus coquereli (2.2), Red-ruffed Lemur Varecia rubra (1.4), and Crowned Lemur Eulemur coronatus (3.3) along the path as well. However, these lemurs aren't the only inhabitants. While being the more charismatic and interactive, toward the end of the walk is a section designed to benefit our group of Radiated Tortoise Astrochelys radiata (4.4), with small heat lamps hanging from the trees to ensure our testudines do not lose body heat at night.
Possible Look of Spiny Forest -> image courtesy of @Dhole dude
Ringtailed Lemur -> image courtesy of @David Matos Mendes
Coquerel's Sifaka -> image courtesy of @olhl.animal.photography
Red-ruffed Lemur -> image courtesy of @Yunha
Crowned Lemur -> image courtesy of @Lafone
Radiated Tortoise -> image courtesy of @Prochilodus246
After exiting the Spiny Forest Walkabout, a winding trail through dense forest leads to the Malagasy Pavilion, playfully dubbed "Malagasy Nights" due to the dark environment within much of the building. However, about halfway down this winding trail, visitors are prompted to look to their left and right, through one-way windows. The forest encroaches even along the windows, providing a slightly broken-up view of an elusive apex of the Madagascan forest. With great patience, the 350 sq. meter habitats on either side of you may yield their inhabitant: our Fossa Cryptoprocta ferox (1.1), with the male to your left, and the female to your right. The habitats can be joined together by way of overhead tunnel when breeding season comes around, to hopefully promote breeding for these elusive predators.
Possible Buildup to Fossa Habitat -> image courtesy of @twilighter
Possible Look of Fossa Habitats -> image courtesy of @lintworm
Fossa -> image courtesy of @Zooish
The winding trail comes to a close at the doors to the Malagasy Pavilion, where upon entering, visitors are engulfed in darkness, with the exhibit to your immediate left being bathed in red light. At 100 sq. meters, the dense foliage again conceals the mammalian inhabitant within, though this one is smaller, being our pair of Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat Hypogeomys antimena (1.1), which, after further research, is a species unique to North America (not sure how many species in this zoo are and I didn't realize, but that's not what this is about) in the current zooscape. While spotting this species may not be in the cards, the following six terraria provide greater odds of spotting their inhabitants. The first two terraria are 1 sq. meter and 3 sq. meters, respectively, and host groups of Blue-backed Reed Frog Heterixalus madagascariensis (4.4) and Sambava Tomato Frog Dyscophus guineti (0.3), while the third covers the largest area, at 16 sq. meters and roughly 2m in height for our lone Madagascar Tree Boa Sanzinia madagascariensis (1.0). These terraria are followed by three of identical size (4 sq. meters and 1.5m high) and inhabiting individuals (1.1), though the species housed are, of course, different. From closest to furthest from the entrance to the building, visitors might find Panther Chameleon Furcifer pardalis, Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko Uroplatus sikorae, and Madagascar Giant Day Gecko Phelsuma madagascariensis.
Possible Look of Jumping Rat Enclosure -> image courtesy of @MagpieGoose
Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando
Possible Look of Frog/Lizard Terraria -> image courtesy of @Dhole dude
Possible Look of Boa Terrarium -> image courtesy of @KevinB
*media for the herptiles kept in this portion and the birds from the following aviary will be included in a media round-up after this one, likely up in the next few days, but for now, we press on*
Visitors open the door at the end of the dark corridor and are bathed in sunlight. Yes, actual sunlight. A massive glass roof bathes this walkthrough aviary (just over half an acre in area) in light. Dense trees and flowing streams fully immerse visitors once again into the dense jungles of Madagascar, surrounded by flying birds. These birds include sizeable flocks of Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis (15.15), Madagascar Crested Ibis Lophotibis cristata (5.5), and Madagascar Green Pigeon Treron australis (7.7), as well as smaller flocks of Madagascar Partridge Margaroperdix madagascariensis (2.2), Crested Coua Coua cristata (4.4), and a pair of Lesser Vasa Parrot Coracopsis nigra (1.1).
Possible Look/Feel of Walkthrough Aviary -> image courtesy of @WhistlingKite24
*sigh* And with that, save for the media roundup due any day between tomorrow and Friday, we have completed the tour of ZooSC at Myrtle Beach. From the Twilight Realms, through Eurasia and Oceania, with stops in the Americas, and finally Africa and Madagascar, this truly has been a journey for the ages.
Any species you wanted to see but didn't see? Fear not, for the arrival of my much-expanded revamp will bring many a species not seen here, but may also see some of these species removed in favor of more popular or endangered species of a similar family or niche.
Anyway, farewell for the final time on this thread!
Visitors continue past the sign which ended the last content-filled post, venturing through a dense thicket of rainforest. Before long, a double doorway allows visitors to enter into the Spiny Forest Walkabout, a meshed-in acre intended to immerse visitors into one of Madagascar's many unique ecosystems. Signage dots the path where each species likes to spend the majority of their time, but the iconic Ring-tailed Lemur Lemur catta (0.18) is sure to attract much of the visitor attention. Despite the draw of this icon, visitors can spot smaller groups of our three other lemur species, namely the Coquerel's Sifaka Propithecus coquereli (2.2), Red-ruffed Lemur Varecia rubra (1.4), and Crowned Lemur Eulemur coronatus (3.3) along the path as well. However, these lemurs aren't the only inhabitants. While being the more charismatic and interactive, toward the end of the walk is a section designed to benefit our group of Radiated Tortoise Astrochelys radiata (4.4), with small heat lamps hanging from the trees to ensure our testudines do not lose body heat at night.
Possible Look of Spiny Forest -> image courtesy of @Dhole dude
Ringtailed Lemur -> image courtesy of @David Matos Mendes
Coquerel's Sifaka -> image courtesy of @olhl.animal.photography
Red-ruffed Lemur -> image courtesy of @Yunha
Crowned Lemur -> image courtesy of @Lafone
Radiated Tortoise -> image courtesy of @Prochilodus246
After exiting the Spiny Forest Walkabout, a winding trail through dense forest leads to the Malagasy Pavilion, playfully dubbed "Malagasy Nights" due to the dark environment within much of the building. However, about halfway down this winding trail, visitors are prompted to look to their left and right, through one-way windows. The forest encroaches even along the windows, providing a slightly broken-up view of an elusive apex of the Madagascan forest. With great patience, the 350 sq. meter habitats on either side of you may yield their inhabitant: our Fossa Cryptoprocta ferox (1.1), with the male to your left, and the female to your right. The habitats can be joined together by way of overhead tunnel when breeding season comes around, to hopefully promote breeding for these elusive predators.
Possible Buildup to Fossa Habitat -> image courtesy of @twilighter
Possible Look of Fossa Habitats -> image courtesy of @lintworm
Fossa -> image courtesy of @Zooish
The winding trail comes to a close at the doors to the Malagasy Pavilion, where upon entering, visitors are engulfed in darkness, with the exhibit to your immediate left being bathed in red light. At 100 sq. meters, the dense foliage again conceals the mammalian inhabitant within, though this one is smaller, being our pair of Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat Hypogeomys antimena (1.1), which, after further research, is a species unique to North America (not sure how many species in this zoo are and I didn't realize, but that's not what this is about) in the current zooscape. While spotting this species may not be in the cards, the following six terraria provide greater odds of spotting their inhabitants. The first two terraria are 1 sq. meter and 3 sq. meters, respectively, and host groups of Blue-backed Reed Frog Heterixalus madagascariensis (4.4) and Sambava Tomato Frog Dyscophus guineti (0.3), while the third covers the largest area, at 16 sq. meters and roughly 2m in height for our lone Madagascar Tree Boa Sanzinia madagascariensis (1.0). These terraria are followed by three of identical size (4 sq. meters and 1.5m high) and inhabiting individuals (1.1), though the species housed are, of course, different. From closest to furthest from the entrance to the building, visitors might find Panther Chameleon Furcifer pardalis, Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko Uroplatus sikorae, and Madagascar Giant Day Gecko Phelsuma madagascariensis.
Possible Look of Jumping Rat Enclosure -> image courtesy of @MagpieGoose
Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat -> image courtesy of @vogelcommando
Possible Look of Frog/Lizard Terraria -> image courtesy of @Dhole dude
Possible Look of Boa Terrarium -> image courtesy of @KevinB
*media for the herptiles kept in this portion and the birds from the following aviary will be included in a media round-up after this one, likely up in the next few days, but for now, we press on*
Visitors open the door at the end of the dark corridor and are bathed in sunlight. Yes, actual sunlight. A massive glass roof bathes this walkthrough aviary (just over half an acre in area) in light. Dense trees and flowing streams fully immerse visitors once again into the dense jungles of Madagascar, surrounded by flying birds. These birds include sizeable flocks of Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis (15.15), Madagascar Crested Ibis Lophotibis cristata (5.5), and Madagascar Green Pigeon Treron australis (7.7), as well as smaller flocks of Madagascar Partridge Margaroperdix madagascariensis (2.2), Crested Coua Coua cristata (4.4), and a pair of Lesser Vasa Parrot Coracopsis nigra (1.1).
Possible Look/Feel of Walkthrough Aviary -> image courtesy of @WhistlingKite24
*sigh* And with that, save for the media roundup due any day between tomorrow and Friday, we have completed the tour of ZooSC at Myrtle Beach. From the Twilight Realms, through Eurasia and Oceania, with stops in the Americas, and finally Africa and Madagascar, this truly has been a journey for the ages.
Any species you wanted to see but didn't see? Fear not, for the arrival of my much-expanded revamp will bring many a species not seen here, but may also see some of these species removed in favor of more popular or endangered species of a similar family or niche.
Anyway, farewell for the final time on this thread!
This has been one of the best spec zoo projects in recent memory, and I’m glad that the zoo’s reached the satisfying conclusion it deserves.
olhl.animal.photography
Well-Known Member
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the kind words. Makes it more bittersweet hearing this, though I truly appreciate it.
And while I hope I can duplicate that idea with my new thread, it warms my heart that my first large project is viewed by some as one of the best.
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Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Media Roundup
Sambava Tomato Frog -> image courtesy of @gulogulogulo
Blue-backed Reed Frog -> image courtesy of @RatioTile
Madagascar Tree Boa -> image courtesy of @UngulateNerd92
Panther Chameleon -> image courtesy of @ro6ca66
Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko -> image courtesy of @CMP
Madagascar Giant Day Gecko -> image courtesy of @Daniel Sörensen
Red Fody -> image courtesy of @Lafone
Madagascar Green Pigeon -> image courtesy of @jayjds2
Madagascar Crested Ibis -> image courtesy of @Rhino00
Madagascar Partridge -> image courtesy of @Semioptera
Crested Coua -> image courtesy of @honeybadger
Lesser Vasa Parrot -> image courtesy of @fat_wagtail
Additionally, I'm very glad to be a source of pride for individuals on this site when I feature their images. It makes my day to see such messages on this thread, and I hope the thread I begin at a later date gives that same sense of pride. @olhl.animal.photography and @NNM. in particular did this, and I thank you both, as well as all those who seem to have liked every post I make in this thread. There are too many of you to name, but know that your likes and viewership are appreciated.
Much love, and I hope you all tune into my new thread once I get around to starting it.
Sambava Tomato Frog -> image courtesy of @gulogulogulo
Blue-backed Reed Frog -> image courtesy of @RatioTile
Madagascar Tree Boa -> image courtesy of @UngulateNerd92
Panther Chameleon -> image courtesy of @ro6ca66
Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko -> image courtesy of @CMP
Madagascar Giant Day Gecko -> image courtesy of @Daniel Sörensen
Red Fody -> image courtesy of @Lafone
Madagascar Green Pigeon -> image courtesy of @jayjds2
Madagascar Crested Ibis -> image courtesy of @Rhino00
Madagascar Partridge -> image courtesy of @Semioptera
Crested Coua -> image courtesy of @honeybadger
Lesser Vasa Parrot -> image courtesy of @fat_wagtail
Additionally, I'm very glad to be a source of pride for individuals on this site when I feature their images. It makes my day to see such messages on this thread, and I hope the thread I begin at a later date gives that same sense of pride. @olhl.animal.photography and @NNM. in particular did this, and I thank you both, as well as all those who seem to have liked every post I make in this thread. There are too many of you to name, but know that your likes and viewership are appreciated.
Much love, and I hope you all tune into my new thread once I get around to starting it.
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
To those viewers who it may interest, the first post on my new thread is up!
Myrtle Beach Zoological Park - A 'New' Project
Myrtle Beach Zoological Park - A 'New' Project