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Arid Animal Pack Animals Guide

By ggeorlett1

A guide to all the animals in the DLC Pack (7 Habitat Animals + 1 Exhibit Animals = 8 Animals Altogether)
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ggeorlett1
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Category: Walkthroughs

Posted

Updated

8 Oct, 2024 @ 5:47am

1 Dec, 2024 @ 6:40am

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Guide Index

Overview

Addax (Addax nasomaculatus)

African Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata)

Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama)

Desert Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes)

Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Sand Cat (Felis margarita)

Somali Wild Ass (Equus africanus somaliensis)

Comments

Addax (Addax nasomaculatus)

Taxonomy

Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Addax

General

Population in the Wild: 100
The addax (or Addax nasomaculatus) is a species of antelope that lives in remote areas of the Sahara Desert. Having historically lived throughout North Africa, they are now only found in areas in Niger and Chad. The addax is cream, white, or sandy in color, with brown markings around the face and muzzle. Both sexes have dark, twisted horns, which is why they are sometimes called screwhorn antelope. Addaxes can achieve a body length of 3.9ft to 4.3ft. Males are usually taller and heavier than females, standing 3.4ft to 3.7ft tall at the shoulder and weighing 220lb to 298lb. Their horns are also generally longer and thicker, with a length of 27in to 33in. Female addaxes are 3.1ft to 3.6ft tall, weigh between 132lb to 198lb, and have 22in to 33in long horns.

As a Critically Endangered species, it is estimated that fewer than 100 addaxes survive in the wild. The addax has been driven close to extinction by overhunting - it is a large and slow-moving species, which makes it easy to hunt as a source of food or for its valuable leather. Parts of its present range are located close to an oil site, meaning its habitat is being further degraded. Conservation efforts focus on extensive breeding that reintroduce and monitor new addax herds in order to increase their numbers in the wild, and to decrease poaching and roadkill fatalities.

Gameplay

Interactivity: Full

Origins

Continent: Africa
Regions: Niger, Chad
ICUN Status: Critically Endangered

Habitat

Fence Grade: 2>4.1ft
Land Area: 3498ft
Water Area: 0ft
Climbing Area: 0ft
Temperature: 37-113°F
Biomes: Desert
Can Guest Enter Habitat: No
Can Guests Interact: No
Relations With Humans: Shy

Social

Addaxes live in herds of 10 to 25 members which can be composed of different structures: males and females of all ages, harems of one dominant male with several unrelated females and their offspring, or single-sex bachelor groups.

In captivity, addaxes are commonly kept in harem groups.
Group Size: 2‒25 (up to 1 male, up to 24 females)
Male Bachelor: 2‒25
Female Bachelor: 2‒25

Reproduction

It is difficult to observe natural reproductive behavior in addaxes as wild herds are often very small or have been reintroduced from captivity. Therefore, this based on captive breeding observations and other closely related antelope species.

Addax bulls have territories, and attempt to herd any females roaming through them into their harems. While addaxes breed year-round, births peak during winter and spring. The dominant male monitors all females in his group for signs of estrus by smelling their urine. If a female is receptive, he will attempt to initiate mating.

Pregnancy lasts 8.5 to 9 months, after which the female will give birth to a calf, though occasionally twins. The calves are weaned between 5 and 9 months of age, usually by the time the mother is pregnant again.

At 2 years old, addax males reach sexual maturity and leave their natal group to establish their own territory, or join a bachelor herd if unable to do so. Females reach sexual maturity at 2 or 3 years old, and leave their group to join an unrelated male's harem.
Difficulty: Easy (Polygynous)
Maturity: 3 years
Sterility: Death
Gestation/Incubation: 8 months
Interbirth: 10 months

Food

Tier 1: Hay
Tier 2: Herbivore Pellets
Tier 3: Fruit and Salt Licks

Feeding Stations

Food Trough
Water Bowl
Water Pipe
Water Trough

Food Enrichment

Grazing Ball Feeder
Small Barrel Feeder
Hanging Grazer Feeder
Melon Feeder
Scarecrow Feeder
Veggie Jelly Cake

Habitat Enrichment

Grab Ball
Rubbing Pillar
Scratching Tree (Scots Pine & Tamarind)
Herb Scent Marker

Compatible Animals

Common Ostrich
Dama Gazelle
Dromedary Camel
Somali Wild Ass

Zoopidia Fun Facts

The addax dips itself in the sand in shady areas to rest and avoid the sun.
Addaxes have specially adapted flat hooves that allow them to walk effectively on the sand.
The addax barely ever needs to drink and gets almost all the water it requires from its diet of desert grasses.
The addax is one of the slowest antelopes, perhaps due to its adaptations that help it to traverse sandy terrain.
The addax's coat lightens in the summer and darkens in the winter to adapt to the temperature change.

African Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata)

Taxonomy

Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Hystricidae
Genus: Hystrix

General

Population in the Wild: Unknown
The African crested porcupine (or Hystrix cristata) is a large species of rodent found in the semi-deserts, savannahs, and montane areas of Central and North Africa, as well as Italy. Its coarse, bristled fur is dark brown to black in color, with its most distinctive feature being the black and white quills that grow from the middle of its neck, across its back and sides, and down its tail. These quills are raised upright when the porcupine feels threatened, and are very sharp. The African crested porcupine has a blunt, rounded snout, small eyes, and round ears. Its body is stout with short, stocky limbs. There is no sexual dimorphism exhibited by this species, and males and females are difficult to tell apart. They reach a length between 24in and 33in and weigh between 28lb and 60lb.

African crested porcupines are considered a species of Least Concern and are widespread throughout their range. In Italy, their population numbers are increasing and their range is expanding, however there have been declines documented in North Africa. Nonetheless, the African crested porcupine is a common animal throughout its range.

Gameplay

Interactivity: Full

Origins

Continent: Africa, Europe
Regions: Italy, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania
ICUN Status: Least Concern

Habitat

Fence Grade: 1> 3.3ft
Land Area: 3337ft
Water Area: 0ft
Climbing Area: 0ft
Temperature: 37-109°F
Biomes: Desert, Grasslands
Can Guest Enter Habitat: Yes
Can Guests Interact: No
Relations With Humans: Confident

Social

African crested porcupine are monogamous and live in mated pairs with their offspring from multiple litters in constructed underground dens and burrows.
Group Size: 1‒6 (up to 5 males, up to 5 females)
Male Bachelor: 1‒6
Female Bachelor: 1‒6

Reproduction

Most of the information about the mating habits of African crested porcupines is available from captive observations, so knowledge of their courtship in the wild is limited.

African crested porcupines are monogamous, and search for a mate when reaching sexual maturity. When a male and female encounter each other, they will spend lots of time together to form a strong bond. Porcupines appear to mate year round in captivity, but their breeding season seems to generally peak around fall to spring. When the female is receptive, she flattens her quill and lifts her tail to allow her mate to mount her. She will be aggressive towards any unfamiliar males that approach her.

Together, the male and female build a complex burrow system, including a grassy area that is constructed for the female to give birth and nurse her young. After a pregnancy of 93 to 110 days, she retreats to this burrow chamber and gives birth to a litter of 1 to 4 young, usually 2. The juveniles leave the den for the first time at 1 week old and begin eating solid food within the first month of their life. By 3 to 4 months old, they are fully weaned. Both parents care for the litter intensively.

The offspring stay with their parents until reaching sexual maturity, which males achieve at 18 months old and females between 12 and 14 months old. Then, they leave the family group to find a mate and establish a territory for themselves.
Difficulty: Very Easy (Monogamous)
Maturity: 1.5 years
Sterility: Death
Gestation/Incubation: 4 months
Interbirth: 12 months

Food

Tier 1: Root Vegetables and Salad
Tier 2: Leaves, Roots, and Grasses
Tier 3: High Fibre Biscuits

Feeding Stations

Food Trough
Water Bowl
Water Pipe
Water Trough

Food Enrichment

Small Barrel Feeder
Melon Feeder
Slow Feeder
Forage Box
Veggie Jelly Cake

Habitat Enrichment

Rubber Duck
Plant Screen
Sprinkler
Herb Scent Marker
Small Ball (Small Ice Ball, Small Ball Colorful, Small Ball Pumpkin)
Hot Water Tap
Water Jet (Water Jet Rock)

Compatible Animals
None

Zoopidia Fun Facts

The African crested porcupine is the largest species of porcupine in the world.
African crested porcupines are very slow movers and will bristle their quills rather than run from danger.
When threatened, the African crested porcupine will raise and shake its quills to produce a rattling noise, as well as stamping its feet. If the threat persists, it will attack with its quills by turning and charging rear first.
Both African crested porcupine males and females are excellent parents who care intensively for their young, meaning that porcupines have a high survival rate to adulthood in comparison to other rodents.
The quills of the African crested porcupine are hollow, sharp and smooth. They break off easily when stuck in flesh. In contrast to New World porcupines, the quills can be removed relatively easily as they have no barbs.

Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

Taxonomy

Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:

General

Population in the Wild:
The black rhinoceros (or Diceros bicornis), also known as the hook-lipped rhinoceros, is a large ungulate native to the grasslands and scrublands of Southern and Eastern Africa. Black rhinos have two horns on their face, with the anterior horn being much longer than the posterior horn. They have thick, grey skin, stocky limbs, small eyes, and oval-shaped ears. The black rhinoceros stands 4.6ft to 5.9ft tall at the shoulder, is 9.8ft to 12.3ft long, and weighs between 1765lb and 3090lb. Males and females are similar in size.

Black rhinoceroses are considered to be Critically Endangered, with several of its subspecies already being extinct. The species faces multiple issues, poaching for their horns being the most significant. With large areas of their habitat being in war zones, their population is negatively affected by human action, as well as the lack of legislation and law enforcement for their protection. Additionally, their specific browse-based diet means they are vulnerable to food competition from other species, and can be difficult to raise in captivity due to their susceptibility to mineral deficiencies and diseases.

Gameplay

Interactivity: Full

Origins

Continent: Africa
Regions: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Eswatini
ICUN Status: Critically Endangered

Habitat

Fence Grade: 4> 6.6ft
Land Area: 10764ft
Water Area: 0ft
Climbing Area: 0ft
Temperature: 37-109°F
Biomes: Grassland, Desert
Can Guest Enter Habitat: No
Can Guests Interact: No
Relations With Humans: Confident

Social

Black rhinoceroses are generally solitary, except for mothers and their calves. Fleeting, loose bonds may form between individuals when they encounter each other.
Group Size: 1‒3 (up to 1 male, up to 2 females)
Male Bachelor: 1
Female Bachelor: 1-2

Reproduction

Both males and female black rhinoceroses have territories which often overlap. Breeding happens year round for this species, though births tend to occur towards the end of the rainy season. Male black rhinos track fertile females through their excrement. When they meet, encounters cam be aggressive. Males will be aggressive towards other males when competing over a female, and females may fight males when fending off unwanted advances. A male and female form a consortship for up to 2 weeks before mating. They spend this bonding time by eating, sleeping, and traveling together. The male will attempt to initiate copulation, but if the female is not ready, she will avoid this by aggressively charging at the male. If she is in estrus, she will allow him to mount her. Copulation lasts 20 to 40 minutes, and, afterwards, the pair will part ways.

Pregnancies in black rhinos last 15 months, after which the female gives birth to a single calf. Newborn rhinos feed exclusively from their mothers for approximately a month, and then begin eating soft grasses and drinking water in addition to their mother's milk. Calves are weaned by 18 months old, but remain with their mothers until they are between 2 to 4 years old.

By this age, they will distance themselves from their mothers to establish their own territories. Young rhinos may join a loosely bonded group of other adolescent individuals or roam around by themselves. Male black rhinoceroses reach sexual maturity at 7 or 8 years old, females a bit earlier at 5 to 7 years old.
Difficulty: Difficult (Polygynous)
Maturity: 7 years
Sterility: Death
Gestation/Incubation: 15 months
Interbirth: 30 months

Food

Tier 1: Hay
Tier 2: Leaves and Branches
Tier 3: Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Feeding Stations

Food Trough
Water Bowl
Water Pipe
Water Trough

Food Enrichment

Large Barrel Feeder
Hanging Barrel Feeder
Melon Feeder
Hanging Grazer Feeder
Veggie Jelly Cake

Habitat Enrichment

Waterfall and Metal Frame
Large Tyre
Plant Screen
Gyro
Skittle (Snowman Skittle)
Rubbing Pillar
Scratching Tree (Scots Pine, Tamarind)
Sprinkler
Mud Bath
Herb Scent Marker

Compatible Animals
None

Zoopidia Fun Facts

Black rhinos growl and scream when they are scared or in conflict situations.
Black rhinos have mutualistic relationships with birds such as oxpeckers and egrets that remove parasites from their skin.
Black rhinos mainly feed on browse (leaves from shrubs, bushes, and trees) and have tough, prehensile lips that are adapted to this kind of foraging.
Of the 8 subspecies of the black rhino, only three remain extant: the Eastern black rhino, South-central black rhino, and South-western black rhino. A fourth subspecies, the Ugandan black rhino, may survive in reserves outside of Uganda.
Black rhinos can be extremely aggressive towards each other: 50% of male and 30% of female black rhinos that die naturally are thought to have died from conflict related injuries.

Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama)

Taxonomy

Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Nanger

General

Population in the Wild: 100-200
The dama gazelle (or Nanger dama) is a species of ungulate living in the Sahara desert and the Sahel. It has a short white coat on its belly, legs, hindquarters, and face, and red-brown fur on its back, shoulders, and neck. On its head, the dama gazelle has large protuberant ears and a black, curled horn. These horns are present on both males and females, however those of females are much shorter. Horn length in males ranges from 10in to 14in, with female horns around half that size on average. Dama gazelles measure 37in to 41in tall at the shoulder and 55in to 66in in body length, with females being slightly smaller. Male gazelles weigh 77lb to 165lb, while females are much lighter at 77lb to 88lb.

Dama gazelles are Critically Endangered, with one subspecies already becoming extinct in the wild. Like most desert-dwelling animals, it is adapted to need very little water to survive, however it does require more water than most desert species. It takes in water mainly through food and, due to this, any fluctuations in expected precipitation and climate can have detrimental effects on the dama gazelle. In addition to the consequences of climate change, its natural habitat has also been degraded and fragmented by human action, interrupting its migration routes and further complicating its access to water. Dama gazelles are also commonly hunted and poached. There are captive breeding programs in place with a focus on reintroducing the species into their native range, as well as several nature reserves where they are protected.

Gameplay

Interactivity: Full

Origins

Continent: Africa
Regions: Morocco, Mali, Algeria, Niger, Chad
ICUN Status: Critically Endangered

Habitat

Fence Grade: 2> 4.1ft
Land Area: 4575ft
Water Area: 0ft
Climbing Area: 0ft
Temperature: 37-109°F
Biomes: Desert, Grassland,
Can Guests Enter Habitat: Yes
Can Guests Interact: No
Relations With Humans: Shy

Social

Dama gazelles live in mixed herds, led by a dominant male. During the breeding season, males attempt to guard females from other males and bring them into their herd.
Group Size: 3‒20 (up to 1 male, up to 19 females)
Male Bachelor: 3‒20
Female Bachelor: 3‒20

Reproduction

The dama gazelle is Critically Endangered in the wild, with herds often being very small or having been reintroduced from captive breeding programs. Therefore, it is difficult to witness natural reproductive behavior. The following information is based on captive and reintroduced gazelle observations.

During the mating season, males begin acting aggressively towards other rival males, and attempt to herd females away from them. They engage in dominance displays involving prancing, kicking, and snorting, or ramming bushes to draw attention to their horns. Males monitor females in their herd for signs of estrus by smelling their urine. If a female is receptive, the male initiates mating.

Following a pregnancy of 5.5 to 6 months, the female gives birth to one calf, although twins may occasionally occur. Calves are weaned at an age of 3 to 4 months.

Male dama gazelles reach sexual maturity at 1 year old. However, their chance to successfully reproduce increases with age, as their horns develop and they move up the dominance hierarchy in social groups. Female dama gazelles become sexually mature at 1.5 years old.
Difficulty: Easy (Polygynous)
Maturity: 1.5 years
Sterility: Death
Gestation/Incubation: 6 months
Interbirth: 12 months

Food

Tier 1: Hay
Tier 2: Herbivore Pellets
Tier 3: Fruit and Vegetables

Feeding Stations

Food Trough
Water Bowl
Water Pipe
Water Trough

Food Enrichment

Small Barrel Feeder
Grazing Ball Feeder
Hanging Grazer Feeder
Scarecrow Feeder

Habitat Enrichment

Grab Ball
Herb Scent Marker
Rubbing Pillar
Scratching Tree (Scots Pine & Tamarind)

Compatible Animals

Addax
African Spurred Tortoise
Dromedary Camel
Scimitar-Horned Oryx

Zoopidia Fun Facts

In Chad, the dama gazelle is a symbol of beauty and elegance.
The dama gazelle makes a 'honking' sound when alarmed.
Much of the conservation information for the dama gazelle has been provided by desert nomads and pastoralists.
The dama gazelle is the rarest gazelle in the world, with less than 400 remaining in the wild.
The dama gazelle has been going through small scale reintroduction schemes since 2015, which are believed to be its best chance to avoid extinction.

Desert Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes)

Taxonomy

Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Cerastes

General

Population in the Wild: Unknown
The desert horned viper (or Cerastes cerastes) is a venomous snake native to the deserts and semi-deserts of Northern Africa and the Middle East. It is also known as the Saharan horned viper. The body of the desert horned viper is colored, often with a paler underside. They may have slightly darker brown mottling on their scales as camouflage. The head is large and triangular. Most notably, they may have distinctive, pointed horns above their eyes, from which they get their name. Males and females look alike, although females tend to be slightly larger. Their body length varies from 11.8in to 23.6in long.

Desert horned vipers are a species of Least Concern and are not endangered. Their population in widespread and remains stable.

Gameplay

Interactivity: Exhibit

Origins

Continent: Africa, Asia
Regions: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, Israel, Yemen, Syria
ICUN Status: Least Concern

Exhibit

Temperature: 73-88°F
Humidity: 60-80%
Biomes: Desert

Social

Desert horned vipers are solitary. They only interact with other individuals to mate.
Group Size: 1‒4

Reproduction

Breeding in desert horned vipers takes place while buried in sand, so very little is known about it. Mating events appear to take place in April, when a male and female viper meet. It is assumed they locate each other through pheromones. Copulation may last 3 to 4 days, after which the snakes part ways again.

Soon after mating, the female viper lays a clutch of 8 to 23 eggs underneath rocks or in an abandoned burrow. She does not stay with the eggs and no parental care is provided. The eggs hatch after an incubation period of 50 to 80 days.

Hatchlings are independent from birth and reach sexual maturity at around 2 years old.
Difficulty: Average (Unknown)
Maturity: 2 years
Sterility: Death
Gestation/Incubation: 3 months
Interbirth: 12 months

Food

Small rodents, birds, and reptiles

Exhibit Enrichments

Hiding Place
Camouflage Ground
Basking Lamp (High, Mid-height, Low)

Zoopedia Fun Facts

The desert horned viper's venom causes swelling, bleeding, necrosis, nausea and vomiting in humans, but is rarely fatal.
The desert horned viper moves quickly and easily across the sand by sidewinding.
The desert horned viper has specially adapted sharp-edged scales on its underside that allow it to grip to loose sand.
The desert horned viper is an ambush predator, meaning it lies hidden and then lunges quickly to grab prey as it passes by the snake's hiding spot.
The horns of the desert horned viper are specially adapted scales that help protect the snake's eyes from sand. However, only 50% of desert horned vipers actually exhibit this feature.

Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Taxonomy

Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Camelidae
Genus: Camelus

General

Population in the Wild: Unknown
The dromedary camel (or Camelus dromedarius) is a camelid living in North Africa, the Middle East, and Western Asia. It has also been introduced to European countries and Australia. Dromedaries are usually sandy brown, tan, or cream in color, but may also have dark or pied coloration. They have a single hump on their back, long legs, and a long neck. The dromedary camel has a domed head with small, rounded ears, large eyes with long lashes, and large, protuberant lips. Males are larger and heavier than females, spanning 8.2ft to 11.2ft in length, 5.9ft to 6.6ft in shoulder height, and 880lb to 1320lb in weight. Female dromedaries stand 5.6ft to 6.2ft at the shoulder, are 7.2ft to 9.8ft long, and weigh between 660lb and 1190lb.

As a domesticated species, the dromedary camel is not endangered and the population remains stable. The dromedary has been used and relied upon by humans for its strength and endurance for millennia. It has played an essential part in the transportation of goods. In agriculture, this species is used to assist with ploughing, and its milk and meat are a valuable food source.

Gameplay

Interactivity: Full

Origins

Continent:
Regions: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yamen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan
ICUN Status: Domesticated

Habitat

Fence Grade: 3> 4.1ft
Land Area: 6458ft
Water Area: 0ft
Climbing Area: 0ft
Temperature: 21-111°F
Biomes: Desert, Grassland, Temprate
Can Guests Enter Habitat: No
Can Guests Interact: No
Relations With Humans: Confident

Social

Camels are social animals. They live in harem groups in the wild, with a dominant male, several females and their offspring. The dominant male leads the herd in their migrations. Bachelor males live solitarily or in bachelor herds until they acquire their own harem of females.
Group Size: 2‒13 (up to 1 male, up to 12 females)
Male Bachelor: 2‒9
Female Bachelor: 2‒13

Reproduction

Breeding season in dromedary camels varies geographically and may be in fall and winter, or early spring. During mating season, males begin showing rutting behaviors to attract females. For bachelor males, this is how they begin to establish their own harems. In males who already have a harem, the rut serves to advertise his readiness to mate to his group. Rutting behaviors include using the tail to spread urine over their back, and extruding an area of the soft palate which swells to a large size, appearing like a swollen tongue. The male dromedary uses this to make gurgling calls. During the rut, the male also foams at the mouth and is likely to be aggressive towards rival males. With head bobbing displays, males will advertise their size and attempt to appear taller, and, as an escalation they may barge each other and bite the rival's legs and head. A male approaching a female attempts to initiate mating by biting her rear and hump to get her to sit down. If she complies, he will crouch behind her and mate with her, with copulation lasting between 7 and 35 minutes.

After a pregnancy of 15 months, the female gives birth to a single calf. It will nurse from its mother for 3 months, before beginning to eat solid food. Weaning is complete between 1 and 2 years old. Juvenile camels remain in their natal herd until they approach sexual maturity.

Dromedary camels reach sexual maturity at around 5 years old, at which point males leave the group to become solitary or join a bachelor herd, and females leave to search for a male whose harem she can join.
Difficulty: Easy (Polygynous)
Maturity: 5 years
Sterility: 35 years
Gestation/Incubation: 15 months
Interbirth: 24 months

Food

Tier 1: Hay
Tier 2: Herbivore Pellets
Tier 3: Fruit and Vegetables

Feeding Stations

Food Trough
Water Bowl
Water Pipe
Water Trough

Food Enrichment

Grazing Ball Feeder
Hanging Grazer Feeder
Large Barrel Feeder
Melon Feeder
Veggie Jelly Cake

Habitat Enrichment

Grab Ball
Herb Scent Marker
Block of Ice
Rubbing Pillar
Scratching Tree (Scots Pine & Tamarind)

Compatible Animals

Addax
Dama Gazelle
Reticulated Giraffe
Scimitar-Horned Oryx
Somali Wild Ass

Zoopidia Fun Facts

The dromedary camel has 3 stomachs that help it digest tough vegetation.
The dromedary camel has a fluctuating internal body temperature that can go from 93.2°F to 105.8°F which helps them deal with extreme heat.
Dromedary camel mating is a very clumsy affair and often unsuccessful, so domestic dromedary camels are often assisted in mating logistics by their handlers.
Dromedary camels only eat a few leaves from each of the plants they forage on. This means plants remain in good condition and are able to recover, so the camels do not reduce their foraging opportunities.
The dromedary camel can lose 30% of its bodyweight in water during extended dry spells. If an opportunity arises to restock water reserves, it can drink 100 liters of water in 10 minutes.

Sand Cat (Felis margarita)

Taxonomy

Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis

General

Population in the Wild: Unknown
The sand cat (or Felis margarita) is a small wild cat native to the deserts of North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. It has thick, colored fur, with thin, dark stripes across its back, legs, and tail. The sand cat's face is round, with dark, striped markings, large ears and yellow eyes. Males and females look alike, and are 9in to 14in tall at the shoulder, 15in to 21in long, with their tail measuring a further 9in to 12in. Male sand cats weigh 4.6lb to 7.5lb, while females are a little lighter at 3lb to 6.8lb.

Sand cats are not endangered and are considered a species of Least Concern, having previously been listed as Near Threatened. They are a protected species in several countries across their range, and a global captive breeding effort is maintained at many institutions.

Gameplay

Interactivity: Full

Origins

Continent: Africa, Asia
Regions: Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan
ICUN Status: Least Concern

Habitat

Fence Grade: 2 Climb Proof> 9.9ft
Land Area: 2153ft
Water Area: 0ft
Climbing Area: 0ft
Temperature: 37-109°F
Biomes: Desert
Can Guest Enter Habitat: No
Can Guests Interact: No
Relations With Humans: Shy

Social

Sand cats are solitary animals and only spend time together when they are mating, or when a mother is looking after her kittens.
Group Size: 1‒2 (up to 1 male, up to 1 female)
Male Bachelor: 1
Female Bachelor: 1‒2

Reproduction

Female sand cats in estrus will vocalize and scent mark in order to attract a mate. Males will then track females through their scent. When a male and female sand cat meet, the female signals her willingness to mate by crouching down and moving her tail to the side. This allows the male to mount her and bite the back of her neck, before copulation ensues.

Pregnancies in sand cats last for 59 to 67 days, after which the female gives birth to a litter of 1 to 8 kittens, though usually 4 or 5. For the first 4 weeks of their lives, kittens exclusively feed on milk, and then begin eating regurgitated food from their mother. They are fully weaned by 2 months old and become mostly independent at 6 months of age.

Sand cats reach sexual maturity between the age of 9 to 14 months old, at which point they move away from their mother to establish their own territory.
Difficulty: Easy (Promiscuous)
Maturity: 1 year
Sterility: 10 years
Gestation/Incubation: 2 months
Interbirth: 12 months

Food

Tier 1: Processed Meat
Tier 2: Small Vertebrates
Tier 3: Insects

Feeding Stations

Food Tray
Water Bowl
Water Pipe
Water Trough

Food Enrichment

Bamboo Feeder
Piñata Zebra (Piñata Pronghorn)
Skittle Feeder

Habitat Enrichment

Block of Ice
Blood Scent Marker
Cardboard Box (Gift Box)
Tennis Ball
Rubbing Pad (Rubbing Pad Bark)
Small Bubble Machine
Scratching Tree (Scots Pine & Tamarind)

Compatible Animals
None

Zoopidia Fun Facts

A litter of sand kittens may have multiple fathers if the mother mated with multiple males while in estrus.
Sand cats have thick hair that grows between their toes to protect their paw pads from the hot sand.
Sand cats are notoriously difficult to track because their light step does not leave footprints in the sand.
Sand cats do not need to drink for weeks at a time because they get all the moisture they need from their prey.
Sand cats have incredible hearing, even for a cat. Their auditory bullae (bony ear structures in the skull) are much larger than that of domestic cats and big cats.

Somali Wild Ass (Equus africanus somaliensis)

Taxonomy

Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Genus: Equus

General

Population in the Wild: 20-200
As a subspecies of the African wild ass, the Somali wild ass (or Equus africanus somaliensis) is an equid that lives in the deserts and semi-deserts of Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. It has a grey coat with a pale underside and white legs, which are covered in thin black stripes. It has a rigid black-tipped mane, black-tipped ears and a black tuft at the tip of its tail. The muzzle is pale, but may be grey-black around the nose and mouth. Males and females look alike: they typically stand 3.9ft to 4.8ft tall at the shoulder, are 6.6ft to 7.9ft long, and weigh 496lb to 739lb.

Somali wild asses are Critically Endangered due to overhunting and hybridization. The other subspecies of the African wild ass, the Nubian wild ass, is already presumed extinct for similar reasons. The Somali wild ass is hunted for food and traditional medicine, and the remaining wild stock is at risk of interbreeding with domestic donkey breeds. Additionally, increased human development means the species must compete with livestock for grazing grounds and access to water. While it is illegal to kill Somali wild asses in Ethiopia, legislation is not consistent across the animal's entire range. The high rate of hybridization makes it difficult for conservationists to assess species lines and carry out protective measures. Only 20 to 200 animals remain in the wild. About the same number of Somali wild asses are housed in captive conservation and breeding programs across the globe, with the aim of preserving the species.

Gameplay

Interactivity: Full

Origins

Continent: Africa
Regions: Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea
ICUN Status: Critically Endangered

Habitat

Fence Grade: 3> 4.1ft
Land Area: 6727ft
Water Area: 0ft
Climbing Area: 0ft
Temperature: 37-109°F
Biomes: Desert
Can Guests Enter Habitat: No
Can Guests Interact: No
Relations With Humans: Confident

Social

Somali wild asses live solitarily or in loosely bonded herds in the wild, depending on the availability of resources. Males in the herd will have up to 10 females that they defend. Bonds between individuals are not strong except between mothers and their foals.
Group Size: 1‒7 (up to 3 males, up to 5 females)
Male Bachelor: 1‒3
Female Bachelor: 1‒7

Reproduction

Little is known about the natural breeding habits of the Somali wild ass as there are very few wild populations left to observe, and their reproduction is often managed by humans in an effort to conserve the species. This information is based on captive and managed reproduction observations.

During the mating season in spring, solitary male wild asses attract females with braying vocalizations, especially if the young females present do not do not have attachments to another male's herd. Males who already lead a group of females will defend their herd from outside males. A male monitors all females in the herd for signs of estrus, and mounts them if receptive. A female ass who is in estrus signals her receptiveness by kicking, spreading her legs, flicking her tail, and opening her mouth.

After a pregnancy of 12 months, the female gives birth to a single foal. The dominant male of the herd will be extremely defensive of mothers and foals in his herd and acts aggressively towards any perceived threat. Foals remain close to their mothers and exclusively feed on their milk until they are 4 weeks old, at which point they begin eating solid food. Weaning is complete by 12 to 14 months old, which usually coincides with the birth of a new foal.

Young male and female asses leave their natal herd when they approach sexual maturity between 1.5 and 2 years old. The dominant stallion of the herd is likely to aggressively chase away young males in his herd, who will attempt to attract their own harem, while young females leave in search of new males.
Difficulty: Average (Polygynous)
Maturity: 2 years
Sterility: Death
Gestation/Incubation: 12 months
Interbirth: 12 months

Food

Tier 1: Hay
Tier 2: Herbivore Pellets
Tier 3: Fruit and Vegetables

Feeding Stations

Food Trough
Water Bowl
Water Pipe
Water Trough

Food Enrichment

Grazing Ball Feeder
Large Barrel Feeder
Hanging Grazer Feeder
Melon Feeder
Scarecrow Feeder
Veggie Jelly Cake

Habitat Enrichment

Musical Keyboard
Large Ball (Large Snow Ball)
Grab Ball
Plant Screen
Rubbing Pillar
Scratching Tree (Scots Pine & Tamarind)
Herb Scent Marker
Water Jet (Water Jet Rock)

Compatible Animals

Addax
Common Ostrich
Dromedary Camel

Zoopidia Fun Facts

Somali wild asses are adapted to extremely hot environments and can eat very tough desert plants.
The call of the Somali wild ass can be heard up to 2 miles away.
The large ears of the Somali wild ass allow it to cool down on hot days.
Unlike horse species, which run when frightened, asses will freeze and refuse to move when intimidated.
It is believed that the domestic donkeys found in Italy are descendants of the Somali wild ass.