Planet Zoo

***Planet Zoo*** is a construction and management simulation video game developed and published by Frontier Developments for Microsoft Windows. The game is a spiritual successor to *Zoo Tycoon* and *Zoo Tycoon 2*, with gameplay similar to the studio's theme park game, *Planet Coaster*. It was released on 5 November 2019.

As with *Planet Coaster*, critics praised *Planet Zoo'*s creation tools along with its realistic animal portrayals and emphasis on wildlife conservation. However, the game was also criticized for the complexity of its management and building mechanics, which were deemed to be overly challenging for some players. *Planet Zoo* continues to receive regular post-launch updates and downloadable content. It was a commercial success, selling more than a million copies in six months.

## Thoughts

### Guests

#### Adult

The zoo ticket price is fair!
The zoo ticket price is good!
Zoo tickets are underpriced!
Entry costs nothing? Great!
Free entry? Awesome!
Free entry? Yes please!
Great! Free entry!
I love it when zoo entry is free!
The best entry price is free!
Woo! Free entry!
Zoo entry is free!
I've seen bigger and better zoos.
This zoo could do with expanding a little.
This zoo feels pretty small.
Lots of room to walk about here!
This zoo is very spacious.
This scenery is epic!
What a great looking place.
What great scenery!
I hate this place!
I wish I was somewhere else.
Best! Day! Ever!
What an amazing place!
I should go find the [Animal]...
Now, where is the [Animal]...?
You can't even tell if it's a [Animal] from here!
The view of the [Animal] from here is not great at all...
I wish I had a better view of the [Animal] from here...
I suppose the view of the [Animal] from here is... fine?
I guess the view of the [Animal] from here is okay...
I'd describe the view of the [Animal] from here as 'OK'.
I like the view of the [Animal] from here, it's good...
The view of the [Animal] from here is quite good. You can really tell they put a medium amount of thought into the planning.
You can get a good view of the [Animal] from here.
Seeing an [Animal] so clearly is awesome! I will cherish this memory FOREVER.
I have treasured looking at the [Animal] so much that I’m never going to clean my eyeballs!
Is that [Animal] going to the bathroom?!
It's good to see these [Animal]s looking so healthy...
That's what I like to see - a happy, healthy [Animal]!
These [Animal]s couldn't be in better shape!
I'm not sure that [Animal] should be out here?!
Shouldn't that [Animal] be inside a habitat?!
That [Animal] has escaped!
Why hasn't the [Animal] habitat been cleaned?!
The water in the [Animal] habitat needs cleaning!
The water in the [Animal] habitat needs cleaning badly...
Nice weather for ducks! But terrible for the rest of us...
Oh great, rain.
Rain?! That's not what the forecast said!
I am definitely going to need an umbrella.
I knew I shoulda brought an umbrella!
Uh-oh - where can I get an umbrella?
Ah, that's a relief... This shelter is a life saver!
I bet [Ride] is a great ride.
I couldn't queue up for [Ride].
It's a shame [Ride] was full.
Man! [Ride] had a full queue!
The line for [Ride] was completely full.
The queue for [Ride] was full!
This balloon is great!
Yes! I've got a balloon!
I lost my balloon!
Argh! My balloon popped!
Someone popped my balloon!
Who popped my balloon?
Everything at [Shop] is too expensive for me.
Everything in [Shop] is outside my price range.
No way I'm getting ripped off by [Shop].
Prices at [Shop] are too high for me.
I'm not lining up for [Shop].
It will take too long to get served at [Shop].
You call that good service!? Ha!
[Shop] looks busy, I'll try somewhere else.
I need the loo.
I need the toilet.
I really need the toilet.
I'd better get to the loo soon.
Need toilet... quick!
Oh. There are no toilets in this zoo.
Cool, [Facility] is free!
Everyone is happy that [Facility] is free.
Excellent! Free to use!
I can't believe [Facility] is free.
I love that [Facility] costs nothing!
I'm so glad [Facility] is free.
It's a good thing they don't charge for [Facility].
Oh great, [Facility] is free!
Whoa, [Facility] is free!
I can't believe [Facility] costs that much.
I don't normally pay that much for [Facility].
I'm grumpy about paying lots for [Facility].
I'm not paying that much to use [Facility].
[Facility] costs loads! That's a cheap trick.
[Facility] costs that much? That's disgusting.
Wow! [Facility] costs a lot!
I didn't come here to see the staff facilities.
It makes me cross when they don't tuck the staff facilities out of the way.
These facility buildings are ruining my experience of the zoo.
I wish I could throw this away somewhere.
I'm bored of looking for a bin.
Don't they have caretakers to keep this place tidy?
That litter is disgusting.
There's litter on the path.
There's rubbish all over the place.
There's rubbish everywhere!
This place could do with a serious spring-clean...
What kind of monster just dumps their litter on the ground?!
That guard must be chasing someone!
There's a chase happening!
They're in a hurry!
Wow, that guard is flying by!
Can't they fix these vandalised things?
Looks like someone's gone on a rampage!
Someone is breaking things in the zoo!
Someone is vandalising things in the zoo!
Someone need to control their temper and not take it out on other people's property!
Someone's not happy, they're smashing things up in the zoo!
There are lots of damaged things around here.
There's lots of vandalism here.
This place is a dump!
Breaking that has made me feel a bit better, for now...
Breaking that has made me feel less angry!
That's better, I feel less angry after breaking that!
I shouldn't have lost my temper and vandalised, now I'm being ejected from the zoo!
I've been asked to leave because I vandalised!
Why did I vandalise? Now I'm being ejected!
I can't believe one of us has been pickpocketed! When did that happen?!
I've been robbed! When did that happen?!
One of us was pickpocketed somewhere! There are thieves about!
What?! Someone stole money from one of us?! Unbelievable!
Consider your pocket picked.
Picked from your pocket, into mine.
I'm too fast for these security guards.
Security has spotted me, run!
Caught by security. Maybe it's time to change my ways.
Oh no, I've been caught by security!
Protesters?! That's not exactly a great advertisement...
This place must be pretty awful to attract protesters...
What are they protesting?!
Help me!
I'm stuck!
There is nowhere for me to go.
Aw! I don't wanna leave yet!
Aw man, is it hometime already?
But I don't want to go home!
Home time!
I better go home soon.
I hope the traffic home is okay.
I think I'll call it a day here.
I'm beat, time to call it a day.
Is it home time already?
It was good while it lasted.
Let's get out of here.
Time has just flown by.
Time to go home!
Time to head home.
Time to leave, I think.
Time's up. I gotta get home!
What an amazing day.
I had an awful time, I'm going home!
I hate this place, let's leave.
I really did not enjoy today... time to go.
I'm so unhappy, I'm on my way home.
This zoo was a complete waste of time, I'm leaving right now!
All good things come to an end, even great zoo trips.
If I didn't need to go home, I think I'd stay here forever!
This zoo was amazing! I don't want to leave!
Time has flown by! I really don't want to leave yet.
I might have stayed longer, but there's nothing to do here.
I've seen all there is in this zoo. Home time!
There isn't much going on around here. I'll go home.
There isn't much more I want to do in this zoo.
There's not enough to do here. I'm going home!
I had a terrible time, a pickpocket stole money from me and hasn't been caught! Security here is a joke!
I'm never coming back here again, someone managed to steal from me and get away with it. Where's the security?!
Can't fault security during my time here, they caught the pickpocket who stole from me and returned all of my money!
Security at this zoo is great, even though I was pickpocketed, they managed to catch them and reclaim the whole amount taken from me!
They were right to eject me from the zoo. I broke something in anger, I shouldn't have done that.
#### Child

It's not nice to drop litter.
It doesn't feel nice here.
Why is everything smashed?
Bye, Zoo! I'm going home!
Best! Zoo! Ever! I wish we didn't have to leave!
This zoo was soooo good! I'm coming back again!
#### Teen

I think I got yuck on my shoes!
What an epic zoo! I'm gonna bring back some more friends!
### Staff

I think I deserve a raise.
I'm not getting paid what I'm worth.
I get paid what I'm worth.
I'm content with my paycheck.
Money isn't really an issue.
My pay is far.
My pay is pretty good!
Money, money, money. I'm going to be rich!
My paycheck is huge!
My salary is massive.
Everything is all right, I suppose.
I can't complain, I've got it pretty good.
I guess I'm content with my job.
My job is pretty average.
I am absolutely loving this job.
I'm over the moon with this job!
I'm so happy at work.
It's like this job was made for me.
This job is great!
Bored, bored, bored!
I can do more work than this.
I can easily handle this workload.
I hope things get busier soon.
I need more work to do.
It's quiet, too quiet...
This job is a snoozefest.
All this work is stressing me out!
There's too much to do!
I could do with a rest.
I can't believe they're still making me work. I'm too tired to do anything.
I'm not getting any rest at all!
I'm going to find a staff room to rest at.
I like that they put effort into this staff room.
This staff room is lovely!
There's so much litter on the floor, we could do with more bins.
Fired? But I have mouths to feed!
I'm fired?!?
There must be some mistake, I can't be fired!
What do you mean, 'fired'?!
You can't fire me... oh, I guess you can...
## Zoopedia

### Bactrian Camel

#### Description

##### General

Domestic Bactrian camels (or Camelus bactrianus) are large ungulates native to Central Asia. They have two humps and thick sandy-colored wool coats, although they can also be dark brown or white. On average they are 6.6ft tall at the shoulder with an extra 12in of height added by their humps, and males are significantly larger than females.
There are two types of Bactrian camel - the domestic and the wild - but the division of these two can be confusing; some domestic Bactrian camels live in the wild (categorized as feral) alongside the true 'wild Bactrian camels'. It has been established that the domestic and wild variants of Bactrian camels are descended from different ancestor species.
The domesticated camels are not endangered or threatened, and the population remains stable. However, wild Bactrian camels - which are hunted during migrations and predated on by wolves - are critically endangered and near extinction. There are conservation groups working to protect them, and the Gobi Desert where they live is a National Park. However, the camels make such long migrations that it is hard to protect them across their whole range.

##### Social

Camels are social animals, living in harem groups in the wild comprised of a dominant male, several female mates, 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.

##### Reproduction

The dominant male in a harem will mate with the adult females, who will give birth to one calf, occasionally twins, who will remain with their mother and the herd until they are between 3 and 5 years old. Young adults leave their family herd to establish or join an unrelated herd.

#### Fun Facts

1. The collective term for a group of Bactrian camels is a 'caravan'.
2. Camels have long eyelashes and nostrils that can fully close to protect themselves in sandstorms.
3. The Bactrian camel's two humps are made of fat and are built up during times of plentiful food, then shrink as they sustain the camel through times when food is sparse.
4. Bactrian camels are not fussy about what they eat; they can eat thorny, tough and bitter vegetation, carrion, and will also eat tents, rope, clothes, and other items when very hungry.
5. Bactrian camels were domesticated 4000 years ago in the steppes of Central Asia; they are farmed as pack animals and for their milk and wool.

### Gemsbok

#### Description

##### General

The gemsbok (or Oryx gazella) is a species of antelope that lives in the Kalahari and Namib deserts of Southern Africa. They are characterized by several visual features: long, slim and spiral horns; a black face with white markings over the eyes and muzzle; a grey-brown coat with black markings on the upper legs and back; as well as white 'socks'. On average, Gemsbok stand between 3.6ft and 4.3ft tall at the shoulder, measure 6.3ft to 7.9ft long and have an average horn length of 34in. The males are also slightly larger and significantly heavier than the females.
Despite not being an endangered species - in fact, their numbers are believed to be increasing - Gemsbok are negatively impacted by the expansion of the human population in South Africa. This manifests in a couple of ways, including the destruction of their habitat to make space for farmland, as well as an excess of hunting for their horns, which are popular among trophy hunters. The animals are protected in areas where their habitat falls into national parks and nature reserves, but there is little specific legislation to protect the species as they are not currently endangered.

##### Social

A herd of Gemsbok numbers between 10 and 30. The females group together in interrelated herds with their young offspring, usually consisting of one dominant territorial male who joins the females for mating purposes. Young males form together into single gender bachelor herds until they are old enough to maintain their own territory and acquire a herd of females.

##### Reproduction

Mature male gemsbok are categorized as 5-years-old or more and maintain a large territory, wherein they will gather 'harems' from the female groups that forage through it. He will join these groups, defending them from rival males and mating with receptive females. A gemsbok pregnancy lasts 8.5 months, after which a mother will give birth to one calf in solitude, away from the herd, the newborn will remain hidden in the bushland for the first 6 weeks. The calf will then rejoin the herd and begin to eat solid food, before weaning at 3.5-months-old and becoming independent around a month later. The calves reach sexual maturity at 2-years-old; the males leaving their natal herd to join an all-male bachelor group until they are old enough to maintain their own territory, while the females remain with their mother.

#### Fun Facts

1. Gemsbok can increase their body temperature to up to 45°C to cope with high environmental temperatures, and prevent water loss through sweating and panting.
2. Gemsbok have a low metabolic rate, so they do not have to drink often. They can go through most of the year without drinking and by retaining water from their diet.
3. Female gemsbok have longer horns than male gemsbok.
4. There is often only a very short amount of time - a matter of weeks - between a female gemsbok giving birth and getting pregnant again.
5. Gemsbok horns were sold as unicorn horns in medieval England.

### Greater Flamingo

#### Description

##### General

The greater flamingo (or Phoenicopterus roseus) is a large species of migratory bird that is widespread across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. It lives on the mudflats and coastal lagoons of temperate and warm environments, and is a filter feeder which uses its beak to stir up mud and filter out algae, invertebrates and seeds.
Male and female flamingos look the same with pale-pink to orange-pink feathers, pink legs, a pink beak with a black tip, and often brighter pink patches on their wings. They also have black flight feathers, measure between 44in and 60in tall, and weigh between 4.4lb and 8lb.
The species is not endangered but is still affected by humanity's impact, including a high sensitivity to the water pollution that's caused by agricultural or manufacturing run-off. This damages their breeding environments and kills many of the invertebrates on which they feed - they are also affected by habitat encroachment from humans. As a result, the European Union has implemented protections on many salt flats and coastal lagoons, ensuring that flamingo populations can return to the same areas to feed and reproduce.

##### Social

Greater flamingos are social animals and prefer to live in a large flock. Although mating may be monogamous, group members will often help each other protect and feed chicks.

##### Reproduction

In order to attract a mate, both sexes of flamingo perform synchronized 'dances' which involve neck stretching, preening and wing movements - all done at the same time as part of a large group. Once a female has been suitably impressed by a male's appearance and dance, she will move away from the group and he will follow. She will then put her neck down and spread her wings, inviting the male to mate with her.
Flamingos are monogamous - some for a season, some for life. Together, the two partners will build a mound of mud with a single egg. It's incubated there for 27 to 31 days by both the mother and father, and is fed by regurgitated 'crop milk' for the first 3 to 4 weeks of its life. After this, it will begin filter feeding and, at 10 weeks old, the chicks fledge, but they will live in a creche that's looked over by a non-breeding adult for another month thereafter.
The birds are fully grown at 2-years old and sexually mature at 3, although they are unlikely to mate until they are between 5 and 10.

#### Fun Facts

1. Flamingos develop their pink coloration from the food they eat; they accumulate carotenoid pigments in their feathers from the algae and invertebrates they feed upon.
2. Parent flamingos can identify their chick's cry from within a crowd of thousands of other flamingos.
3. Flamingos are born with straight beaks; the beak starts to curve when they are 1 months old and allows them to filter feed.
4. Flamingos often stand on one leg and also do this when sleeping. This is believed to be to prevent heat loss; only one leg is exposed to cold air or water.
5. The earliest forms of flamingos are seen 40 million years ago in the fossil record.

### Indian Peafowl

#### Description

##### General

Colloquially known as the Peacock, the Indian Peafowl (or Pavo Cristatus) is a large bird native to Southern Asia but which humans have introduced worldwide. The males - peacocks - are famous for their bright blue shiny feathers and extremely large ornamental tail, which they fan out to show off the size and distinctive appearance of their eye-spotted feathers. This is designed both to impress females and intimidate other males. Female peafowl - peahens - look very different to their male counterparts, sporting brown feathers, a flash of blue on the back of their necks, and no tail fan. However, both sexes have a feathered crest on their head.
The species is not endangered, partially due to its attractive appearance, meaning humans breed them artificially to use as an ornamental species. However, the birds are still affected by human behaviour, mostly because of a complicated relationship with farming. They are often considered pests because they damage crops when they graze, but similarly sometimes considered a benefit to farmers as they eat crop pest insects such as grasshoppers. However, this leads to problems where peafowl can be poisoned by eating crops sprayed with pesticides. Others are illegally poached for their meat and feathers, leading to a decline in the population in some areas.

##### Social

Peafowl live in groups called 'musters'. These musters consist of one adult male and several females who live and forage on his territory.

##### Reproduction

During breeding season, male peafowl gather at 'lek' sites - an area where they display for females - in order to show off their tails. Females will visit to choose males to mate with based on their appearance, and both sexes may mate with multiple partners. After mating, the female will build a nest out of twigs and leaves and will lay an egg every 1 to 2 days for up to 12 days until she has typically between 4 and 8 eggs in her clutch. After approximately 28 days of incubation, the chicks will hatch and remain with their mother for 7 to 10 weeks before becoming fully independent. Peafowl reach sexual maturity between 2 and 3 years old, although males may not have developed their full tail fan until they are 4 years old.

#### Fun Facts

1. The Indian peafowl is the national bird of India and represents wisdom in the religion of Buddhism.
2. There is a direct correlation between how many eye-spots a peacock has on his tail-fan and how successful he is finding mates.
3. Peahens are often more aggressive than peacocks. They will fight other females to gain access to a particularly attractive male and prevent others from getting close to him.
4. Peacocks will moult and lose all their tail feathers in a 2-week period during late summer. They spend the winter re-growing them ready for the following mating season.
5. Peafowl often kill and eat baby cobras. This behaviour has lead to them being respected and revered in Indian folklore.

### Malayan Tapir

#### Description

##### General

The Malayan tapir is a mammal native to rainforests of South East Asia. The Malayan tapir's head, shoulders, front legs and back legs are black, and their mid-body and back end is white. It is a heavy-set animal and has a distictive prehensile proboscis nose. Malayan tapirs measure between 1.8 and 2.5m in length and weight between 250 and 540kg. Females tend to be slightly larger than males and 10% to 20% heavier.
Malayan tapirs are endangered. The main threat towards this species is habitat loss through deforestation and the conversion of land for agricultural use. They are a protected species in Malaysia and Indonesia.

##### Social

Malayan tapirs are often solitary but may also be found in monogamous pairs with their young offspring or in temporary feeding groups. They are tolerant of other individuals.

##### Reproduction

When a tapir female moves through a tapir male's territory, he will track her by the scent of her urine. When they meet, the male will court the female by nudging and sniffing her hindquarters and chasing her. If the female is receptive, she will allow him to mount her and mate. They will mate several times throughout the day while the female is fertile. After mating, the mael and female may stay together or go their separate ways. After a pregnancy of 390 to 410 days, the female will give birth to a single calf. For the first week of the calf's life, it remains hidden in the undergrowth and the mother will return often to feed it. At a week old, the calf will accompany its mother during foraging. Calves remain with their mother until they are 1-2 years old, depending on when their mother has another calf.

#### Fun Facts

1. The Malayan tapir is the largest species of tapir.
2. Infant tapirs have dark fur with a pattern of white spots and stripes that camouflages them in the undergrowth and dappled light of the rainforest.
3. Malayan tapirs will often walk along riverbeds underwater for up to 90 seconds.
4. The Malayan tapir is the only species of tapir that is native to Asia, with all other species living in Central and South America.
5. The Malayan tapir's vision is very poor, and they rely mainly on scent and hearing to navigate their surroundings.

### North Sulawesi Babirusa

#### Description

##### General

The North Sulawesi babirusa is a species of pig native to the Sulawesi island of Indonesia and several small surronding islands. The North Sulawesi babirusa is mostly hairless with grey skin. Male babirusas have four large tusks that curl back towards their skull. The North Sulawesi babirusa has a head-body length of 85 to 110cm, a tail length of 29 to 32cm and a shoulder height of 58 to 66cm. Male babirusas weigh between 70 and 100kg and female babirusas weigh between 45 and 80kg
The babirusa is a vulnerable species due to overhunting for its meat as well as habitat loss. They are also often attacked and killed by domestic and feral dogs. Babirusas are a protected species in Indonesia but continue to be at risk in spite of this.

##### Social

Babirusa females tend to live in small groups with their offspring. Babirusa males are solitary.

##### Reproduction

Females live in groups that are often made up of sisters and their offspring under two years old. Mature males live alone but will come alongside female groups in the mating season. During the mating season when the females are in oestrus, males will track them from the scent of their urine and follow them once located. If two males locate the same female, they may engage in a dominance display in order to win the rights to mate. They will vocalise, charge at each other and, if neither concedes, fight by standing on their hind legs and "box" with their front legs. Usually the larger male with the longer teeth will win.
After a pregnancy of 150-164 days, the female will give birth to 1-2 piglets. Piglets can eat solid food from 3-10 days after birth and will be full weaned by 6-8 months old, or earlier if their mother falls pregnant again. Male young leave their mother´s group at 1 year old and will become solitary. Females may remain with their mother´s group or leave to start their own natal group.

#### Fun Facts

1. "Babirusa" means "pig deer" in Malay.
2. Babirusas have a two chambered stomach, more like that of a sheep than of other pigs.
3. The male babirusas tusks continue to grow throughout his life and can even grow into the skull.
4. Babirusas are missing a bone in the snout that other pigs have, so they do not engage in ‘rooting’ behaviour typical of pigs.
5. Babirusas are excellent swimmers; it is thought that they are found across various Indonesian islands because they swam to them.

### Nyala

#### Description

##### General

The nyala (or Tragelaphus angasii) is a secretive antelope that, lives in the thick undergrowth of the South-Eastern African savannah. They are sexually dimorphic, with males much larger than females; the former has a dark grey shaggy coat, yellow legs and twisted, yellow tipped horns, whereas the latter are tan in colour. Both sexes also have vertical white stripes on their back.
Males measure between 0.9 and 1.1m tall, 1.35 to 1.95m long, and weigh 98 to 125 kg. Females are between 0.75 and 0.9m tall, 1.35m to 1.95m long, and weigh between 50 and 68kg.

##### Social

Female nyala live in small groups with their offspring and forage through the undergrowth together. Adult males are solitary, living alone except for during the mating season, when they temporarily join a female herd.

##### Reproduction

During the mating season, a male will join a female herd, courting the females by approaching them with his head and horns bowed down in a non-threatening posture. It's possible that multiple males may often try to join the same female herd, and if so this will result in a performative display; males circling each other and making their hair stand on end while holding their tails and horns up high, in order to make themselves look as big as possible.
If this results in a stalemate, the males will fight and the victor will remain with the female herd, mating with the individuals if they are receptive. The mother will give birth to a single calf after a 7 month pregnancy and the calves will remain close by until they are around 18 months old, at which point the males will leave and become solitary. Females remain with their mother's herd.

#### Fun Facts

1. Unlike many antelope species, nyala are extremely reliant on water and need to drink daily. They always live near a water source.
2. Nyala produce a dog-like bark to alert other group members of danger.
3. Nyala males are called 'bulls' and nyala females are calles 'ewes'. This is because the large size difference between sexes in this species. The terms 'bull' and 'doe' are used for large antelope species, and 'ram' and 'ewe' for small antelope species. Male and female nyala fit into different categories.
4. Nyala are crepuscular animals; they forage during dusk and dawn, and rest and sleep during the heat of the day.
5. Nyala have excellent hearing and will listen for the warning calls of baboons and impala to remain aware of threats.

### Okapi

#### Description

##### General

The okapi (or Okapia johnstoni) is a secretive species native to the dense forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have a distinctive appearance with a grey-white face, dark brown coat across their torso, as well as bright white stripes across their legs and hindquarters. The sexes differ slightly as the males also have small horns, whereas females have whorls of hair in the equivalent area. Both average 1.4 to 1.6m tall and 2.4 to 2.6m long.
The species is endangered for a number of reasons. Firstly, deforestation and the expansion of human infrastructure have caused the destruction of their habit, but they are also killed for the bushmeat trade and have been victims of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The war there means the use of firearms and also the enforcement of boundaries, which may impact on their territory and foraging routes. The okapi is the flagship species for the Congo rainforest ecosystem, and as such has nature reserves and multiple captive breeding programmes dedicated to protecting it.

##### Social

Okapis are solitary, interacting only to mate - the only exception being a mother with her calf.

##### Reproduction

Okapis live alone in dense woodland, marking their territory with scent released from glands in their feet. These are then tracked by other okapis in order to mate; when two meet, they will court each other by circling, sniffing and licking each other, before mating and going their separate ways. After a pregnancy of 14 to 16 months, the mother will give birth to one calf, which spends the first two months of its life hiding in the undergrowth while its mother forages. The young okapi mature into adults at 2 years old, leaving to establish their own home range.

#### Fun Facts

1. The okapi and the giraffe are the only members of the giraffe family.
2. Newborn okapis do not defecate for the first month of their life to prevent predators from locating them.
3. Okapis have a 30 cm long prehensile tongue.
4. Okapis can retract their eyeballs into their skull to protect their eyes when travelling through thick undergrowth.
5. The okapi had the nickname 'African unicorn' before it was officially discovered. People would tell stories of seeing a 'donkey-like' creature with small horns in the forest, but its existence wasn't confirmed until 1901.

### Red Ruffed Lemur

#### Description

##### General

The red-ruffed lemur (or Varecia rubra) is a critically endangered species of primate native to the Northern Masoala rainforests of Madagascar. With yellow eyes and a black pointed face surrounded by the distinctive red ruff, the lemur's body is covered in thick red fur and it has a black tail, hands and feet. It also has a white patch on the top of its head.
The species is threatened by habitat loss and hunting, they are particularly vulnerable to this because they require well established forests with tall trees to survive and forage for fruit, nectar and flowers. Therefore it cannot live in young or newly planted forests. They are also frequently hunted for bushmeat. To combat these problems, the Masoala rainforest is a protected national park, but illegal logging and hunting still takes place.

##### Social

Lemurs are very social animals that live in close-knit groups of up to 30 individuals, grooming each other and helping raise one another's young. Together, they move through their environment during the day, foraging for flowers and fruit, and will sleep in a tree together at night. Females are dominant in lemur society.

##### Reproduction

A male lemur will approach a female in a submissive manner, chattering and squealing at her, and the two will mate if she is receptive. The mother will be pregnant for 3 months and give birth to between 1 and 4 babies in a tree nest. They will stay there until they are 2 to 3 months old, at which point the babies will be old enough to come out of the nest and begin interacting with the lemur troop. The females are fully grown at 2 years old and will remain with their mother, whereas the males reach adulthood at between 3 and 4 years old, leaving their family troop to find an unrelated group.

#### Fun Facts

1. The word 'lemur' is derived from the Latin word 'Lemures', meaning 'spirits' or 'ghosts'.
2. Red ruffed lemurs are very vocal and will make alarm calls to alert their group to predators.
3. Red ruffed lemurs have evolved a long, pointed snout and a long tongue for eating nectar from flowers, meaning they play an important role in pollination.
4. Ruffed lemurs are the only primates that give birth to litters of young, and can birth up to 4 infants in one pregnancy. They build nests in the trees where they hide their babies until they are old enough to walk and climb.
5. Red ruffed lemurs groom their thick coat using a long claw on the second toe of their back leg.

### Ring Tailed Lemur

#### Description

##### General

Like all species of lemur, the ring-tailed lemur (or Lemur catta) is native to Madagascar and is not naturally found anywhere else in the world. Ring-tailed lemurs have a pointed muzzle, cat-like ears, and a long tail that has 12 or 13 white rings, 13 or 14 black rings, and a tip that is always black. They are usually between 39 and 46cm in size with a tail of 56 to 63cm and live in groups called 'troops' that will travel and forage together. Ring-tailed lemurs are omnivorous and will eat fruit, leaves, insects and most other food they can find.
The ring-tailed lemur is endangered, primarily due to deforestation, mining and the creation of farmland destroying their habitat. They are also hunted for bushmeat and captured for the illegal pet trade. Madagascar can also have harsh weather conditions and extended periods of drought that can kill large numbers of the population. A special reserve called 'Beza Mahafaly' has been created to protect the lemur population and educate the local community on conservation. The reserve also promotes ecotourism and takes part in drought intervention by introducing water sources during periods of harsh weather.

##### Social

Ring tailed lemurs live in family groups of up to 30 individuals. The females are interrelated, and the males migrate from their family group when they reach adulthood. Lemur troops spend daylight hours foraging for leaves and fruit, moving several kilometres a day. They are playful and friendly towards members of their own group, but may be aggressive to other lemur troops.

##### Reproduction

Ring tailed lemurs are promiscuous; both males and females will mate with multiple partners. Who mates with whom depends on the dominance structure within the troop, with low ranking males unlikely to mate at all. Female lemurs will be pregnant for 4.5 months, before giving birth to 1 or 2 babies. Infants will be carried by their mother until they are 6 months old, when they will move around completely independently. Females remain with their mother's group for life, whereas young males leave their mother's group at 3 to 5 years of age in search of an unrelated group. They will move groups several times throughout their life.

#### Fun Facts

1. The ring-tailed lemur's Latin name is 'Lemur catta'; it is named for its cat-like looks.
2. The ring-tailed lemur's tail is longer than its body.
3. Lemurs have specialized lower teeth that form a 'dental comb' used in grooming.
4. Ring-tailed lemurs have specialised eyes with an adapted reflective layer in the retina that gives them excellent night vision.
5. Male ring-tailed lemurs engage in 'stink fighting' when in competition for females; they drag their tails through strong-scent secreting glands located on their wrists and shoulders, and then waft their tails at each other.

### Springbok

#### Description

##### General

The springbok (or Antidorcas marsupialis) is a small species of antelope native to the savannahs of Southern Africa. They have lyre-shaped black horns, a tan coat with dark brown markings, a white belly and face, with dark brown tear marks from their eyes to their muzzle. Males and females are a similar size and both have horns, although the males are more robust.
Springboks are not endangered, so there are no specific conservation efforts for this species. They are easy to breed in captivity, often as game animals and for meat, and are protected in areas where their range falls into nature reserves.

##### Social

Springboks have a complex and changeable social structure. Like most ungulates, they live in herds that can be composed of multiple group types. These include mixed groups of non-dominant males, females and juveniles; bachelor groups of juvenile and young adult males; solitary dominant males who are territorial and defend their range from other males; and breeding harems comprised of a dominant male and multiple receptive females. The composition of these groups, as well as the numbers within them, change depending on the time of year and the availability of food. For example, during the rainy season, there will be more breeding harem groups than at other times of year.

##### Reproduction

To mate, territorial dominant males will herd females passing through and foraging on their territory, together creating a harem. He will display to them by jumping high off the ground and defending their range from rival males, courting a female in his harem by approaching her and tapping his foot on the ground multiple times. If she's receptive, she will allow him to mate with her.
After a pregnancy of 5 to 6 months, the mother will give birth to a single calf, which is weaned by the time it is 4 months old. Females will stay with their mother's herd and reach sexual maturity at 7 months old, whereas males will leave their mother's herd at approximately 6-months-old and join a bachelor herd, reaching sexual maturity at the age of 2. They may then establish territory and become a dominant male, however many males never become dominant and will never acquire a harem, mating instead with receptive females within a mixed group.

#### Fun Facts

1. Springboks are so named because they will often jump up to 3.5 meters into the air, especially during the mating season. This jumping behavior is known as ‘pronking’.
2. Springboks are incredibly fast; they can run up to 60mph.
3. Springboks do not need to drink water, they can get all the water they need from their food.
4. Springboks can breed all year round but are more likely to breed during the rainy season.
5. Black springboks and white springboks occur naturally but rarely and are sought after by trophy hunters.

## Reference

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