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What kind of Zookeeper would you be?

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by Water Dragon, 28 Jun 2017.

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If you could be a zookeeper, what area would you work in?

  1. Elephant

    3 vote(s)
    5.5%
  2. Hoofstock

    5 vote(s)
    9.1%
  3. Carnivore

    8 vote(s)
    14.5%
  4. Primate

    12 vote(s)
    21.8%
  5. Small Mammal

    11 vote(s)
    20.0%
  6. Bird

    6 vote(s)
    10.9%
  7. Reptiles, Amphibians and Invertebrates

    8 vote(s)
    14.5%
  8. Aquaria

    2 vote(s)
    3.6%
  1. Water Dragon

    Water Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Imagine if you were a zookeeper and you could choose what team you would work under, what would you choose?
    In this poll, there are a selection of teams that you could work under, so choose one and comment below why you would choose it.

    I will begin by saying that though I wish that I could have chosen all of them, I chose the reptiles/amphibs/inverts team because I have had a lot of experience working with animals in this area, and it would involve working with crocodilians which are my favourite animals.
     
    Last edited: 28 Jun 2017
  2. Charlie Simmomds

    Charlie Simmomds Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I can't choose I would just do all mammals period. I wouldn't be able to choose a set group to work with.
     
  3. Water Dragon

    Water Dragon Well-Known Member

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    So I guess that you would have to be the curator of mammals then ;)
     
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  4. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I voted for primates. I'd especially like to work with the following (in order of preference):

    1) Chimpanzee (large, breeding community of 20-30 animals)
    2) Chacma baboon (group of 6-10 animals)
    3) Hamadryas baboon (large breeding group of 10-30 animals)
    4) Western Lowland gorilla (family group with at least three breeding females)
    5) Mandrills (breeding group of 10-15 animals)
    6) Bonobo (family group)
    7) Golden Lion Tamarin (breeding pair)

    If I could vote for a second group, it'd be carnivores (big cats, small cats, red pandas, otters and meerkats).
     
  5. Komodo99

    Komodo99 Well-Known Member

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    I chose reptiles because i am a big lover of reptiles and i am hoping this will be my future job
    Species i would like to look after include
    1. Komodo Dragons ( They are my favourite animals)
    2.Large crocodillians
    3.Large constrictor snakes
    4. Venomous snakes
    If i could have a second choice i would probably pick carnivores as i just happen to be a fan of the ferocious animals rather than the cute and cuddly types.
     
  6. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Slippery slope there..... it starts with preferring fierce creatures and ends with animatronic giant pandas and dubious celebrity sponsorships :p
     
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  7. Komodo99

    Komodo99 Well-Known Member

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    That's not going to happen, i have have a habit of recognizing rubbish right before it affects me. I think i should be safe.
     
  8. Water Dragon

    Water Dragon Well-Known Member

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    At the moment it looks like primate is the most popular, closely followed by reptiles/amphibs/inverts. I am surprised that no one has chosen carnivore yet, as I estimated that it would be the most popular one :eek:
     
  9. Nikola Chavkosk

    Nikola Chavkosk Well-Known Member

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    Primates are always very smarter than carnivores; Carnivores will always bite or scratch you,
     
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  10. Komodo99

    Komodo99 Well-Known Member

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    Carnivores are popular but I'm guessing it is because you get limited interaction with them at a zoo.
     
  11. Water Dragon

    Water Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Primates and Reptiles are still the most popular at the moment. Small mammals are beginning to become a bit more popular, though no one has gone for aquatics yet.
     
  12. HOMIN96

    HOMIN96 Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Hoofstock all the way!

    The top species I would like to work (and hopefully will in the future) are:
    1) Babirusa
    2) Pygmy Hippo
    3) Malayan Tapir (although they are allegedly the most agressive tapirs)
    4 ) Gaur/Banteng
    5) Okapi
     
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  13. aardvark250

    aardvark250 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Location:
    Land of the 'vark
    What category aardvark is located in?There isn't really a category for my favourite animal!
     
  14. Water Dragon

    Water Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Aardvark would come under 'small mammal' ;)
     
  15. Swampy

    Swampy Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I put reptiles amphibians & invertebrates; aquaria comes a very close second.
     
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  16. Nikola Chavkosk

    Nikola Chavkosk Well-Known Member

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    Maybe it is not 100% clear what small mammals would mean, for example some may consider small cats, civets, meerkats, otters and other animals, as small mammals, which they are, but you probably think of them like carnivores.
     
  17. Water Dragon

    Water Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Just to clarify, small mammals includes: small carnivores, bats, marsupials, monotremes, rodents, sloths, anteaters, hyraxes, sengis, tenrecs, aardvarks, insectivores, lagomorphs, tree shrews, colugos, pangolins, etc. Hope this is more helpful.

    I think that the term 'other mammals' would be more appropriate.
     
    Last edited: 4 Jul 2017
  18. Water Dragon

    Water Dragon Well-Known Member

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    I am suprised by how popular reptiles/ amphibs/inverts are. Most people I know say that they are all the last things that they want to work with.
     
  19. Nikola Chavkosk

    Nikola Chavkosk Well-Known Member

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    I think that is primarly due to snakes and lizards.
     
  20. Komodo99

    Komodo99 Well-Known Member

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    I'd wager it to a few reasons
    1.The vast array of species that can be put on display that are guaranteed to fascinate.Komodo dragons,Reticulated and Burmese pythons,Venomous snakes and crocodilians to name a few
    2.Popular culture.Crocodile Dundee,Godzilla(not 1998),Jurassic park,David Attenborough,Steve Irwin and Steve Backshall have quite an influence.
    3.Pet reptiles.You may look at a royal python in a pet shop and be amazed but absolutely blown away at the size of a Burmese.
    4.Fear factor.Because of the way reptiles present themselves, it can be a scare towards some, but draw others in.There is a certain feeling you get when you see a large snake strike or a croc lunging at a prey item that just can't be described sometimes.