ZooChat Challenge Global 2023 - 10th Anniversary Special!

*facepalm* That's a typo on my part. Most of the text I posted I wrote ahead of time, and I had originally planned for 30 main challenges. This was later cut down to 28 but I failed to reconfirm what number I went with in the end before I posted. Apologies for the confusion.

I'll be requesting a moderator to update the first two posts with all the agreed upon changes and clarifications shortly.

~Thylo

 

Why are alligators/caimans excluded from this challenge? I'm genuinely curious.

 

Alligators are everywhere, and I wanted people to give crocodiles/gharials some love. Similar reasoning as to why one equid needs to not be a zebra, .

~Thylo

 

Question for the red list challenge: what taxa can count? I'm assuming it's limited to just animals (i.e. not identifying plants in a zoo Rainforest Building), but are there any other limitations beyond that? It looks like as of now my first visit of the year will likely be to an aquarium, and I want to know before visiting what animals I should try to keep track of for this specific challenge. Could fish be used, and could aquatic invertebrates, corals, anemones, etc.?

 

Let's keep it to vertebrates!

~Thylo

 

Awesome, glad I won't have the incentive to identify and keep track of Aquatic Invertebrates on the off-chance I see a critically endangered species of anemone.

 

The challenge should be plenty easy with mammals, birds, and herps anyway, so you also don't have to track the fish if you don't want to.

~Thylo

 

Yeah, VU, EN, and CR should be easy enough to see, and I don't forsee any problem finishing these categories, I'm just not so certain I'll be able to see two EW species this year, so will keep track of fish just in case I find one that's EW.

 

The Ameca Shiner is probably the only EW fish likey to be run across here, so you'd probably be easier off finding the others.
Pere David's Deer, Scimitar-horned Oryx, and Guam Kingfisher, and Khisani Spray Toad will be the main options for us in NA. Wyoming Toad, Socorro Dove, and a few Partula are around too.

 

La Palma Pupfish can also be found at some places I believe (San Antonio for example).

 

Huh, are there no public aquariums keeping Golden Skiffia?

 

Not aware of any, but tracking smaller fish species across aquariums is pretty difficult.

 

WOW, now that is a challenge! Way to take @Coelacanth18's great idea and improve upon it for a global audience! I imagine all the balancing must be very time-consuming. I can't wait to participate!

 

OK, here goes nothing.

BANHAM ZOO - 1/1

--PENGUIMONIUM--
1. African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

--FLY THE COOP--
1. Northern Helmeted Curassow (Pauxi pauxi)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

--WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER TRAP--
1. Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)
2. Brazilian Guinea Pig (Cavia aperea)
3. Azara's Agouti (Dasyprocta azarae)
4. Common Degu (Octodon degus)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

--HOW MANY TOES AM I HOLDING UP?--
1. Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

--LET THAT RUMINATE--
1. Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa reticulata)
2. Chilean Pudu (Pudu puda)
3. Western Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

--ASIAN SONGBIRD CHALLENGE--
1. Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi)
2.
3.
4.
5.

--SMALL BUT WILL FIGHT--
1. Meerkat (Suricata suricatta)
2. Pallas's Cat (Otocolobus manul)
3. Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
4. Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

--PINNI-PARTY--
1. California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)
2.

--CARNIVORE CARNIVAL--
1. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
2. Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
3.
4.
5.
6.

--LET'S GIVE THIS ANOTHER GO--
1. Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus)

--DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME--
1. Linnaeus' Two-Toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

--EMBRACE THE ABCS CHALLENGE--
1. Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) [SIGHTING 1/2]
2. Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) [SIGHTING 1/2]
3. Tiger (Panthera tigris) [SIGHTING 1/2]
4. Asian Small-Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) [SIGHTING 1/2]
5. African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) [SIGHTING 1/2]
6. Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) [SIGHTING 1/2]
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

--SECOND CHANCE RED LIST CHALLENGE--
1. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) [VULNERABLE]
2. Asian Small-Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) [VULNERABLE]
3. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) [VULNERABLE]
4. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) [VULNERABLE]
5. African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) [ENDANGERED]
6. Northern Helmeted Curassow (Pauxi pauxi) [ENDANGERED]
7. Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) [ENDANGERED]
8. Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa reticulata) [ENDANGERED]
9. Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) [CRITICAL]
10. Ruppell's Griffon Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) [CRITICAL]
11. Black & White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata) [CRITICAL]
12. Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) [CRITICAL]
13.
14.

--ISLAND HOPPERS--
1. Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
2. Black & White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata)
3. Blue-Eyed Black Lemur (Eulemur flavifrons)
4. DuCorp's Cockatoo (Cacatua ducorpsii)
5. Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi)
6. Boobook Owl (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
7. Rhinoceros Iguana (Cyclura cornuta)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

--I'M HOT BLOODED (FOR COLD BLOOD)--
1. Royal Python (Python regius)
2. Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

--USBORNE'S SCAVENGER HUNT CHALLENGE--
1. Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus)
2. Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)
3. Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata)
4. Blue & Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

--THE RIO CHALLENGE--
1. Blue & Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)
2. Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

 

Very rushed visit to London Zoo today which ended up actually being fairly productive with regards to this challenge...

ZSL London Zoo, 1/1/23

2013: Penguimonium (1)

1. Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti

2014: Fly the Coop (3/11)

Phasianidae (3/6):
1. Collared partridge, Aroborophila gingica
2. Crested partridge, Rollulus roulroul
3. Mountain peacock pheasant, Polyplectron inopinatus

2015: We're Gonna Need a Bigger Trap (3/10)

1. Cape porcupine, Hystrix africaeaustralis
2. Giant jumping rat, Hypogeomys antimena
3. Naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber

2016 (Part I): How Many Toes Am I Holding Up? (1/9)

Equids (1/3)
1. Plains zebra, Equus quagga

2016 (Part II): Let That Ruminate (4/11) and (1)

Porcines (1/3)
1. Red river hog, Potamochoerus porcus
Hippos (1/2)
1. Pygmy hippopotamus, Choeropsis liberiensis
Okapis and Giraffes (2/2)
1. Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis
2. Okapi, Okapi johnstoni
Bovidae (1)
1. Red duiker, Cephalophus natalensis

2016 (Part III): Sea Shepherds (0/2)

2017 (Part I): Check Your Feeders (0/4)

2017 (Part II): Asian Songbird Challenge (5/5) COMPLETE

1. Javan green magpie, Cissa thalassina
2. Tricolor parrotfinch, Erythrura tricolor
3. White-rumped shama, Copsychus malabaricus
4. Bali myna, Leucopsar rothschildi
5. Chestnut-backed thrush, Geokichla dohertyi

2017 (Part III): Thylo's Top 20 (1/8)

1. Spotted laughinghthrush, Ianthocincla ocellata

2018 (Part I): Small but Will Fight (2/10)

Mongooses (2/2)
1. Meerkat, Suricata suricatta
2. Dwarf mongoose, Helogale parvula

2018 (Part II): Pinni-Party (0/2)

2018 (Part III): Carnivore Carnival (0/6)

2019 (Part I): See, Don't Touch (1)

1. Dyeing dart frog, Dendrobates tinctorius

2019 (Part II): River Giants (0/1)

2020: Let's Give this Another Go (1)

1. Red-necked wallaby, Notamacropus rufogriseus

2021: Don't You Forget About Me (0/13)

2022: Don't Turn On the Lights (4/10)

1. Giant jumping rat, Hypogeomys antimena
2. Naked mole rat, Heterocephalus glaber
3. Moholi bushbaby, Galago moholi
4. Potto, Perodictus potto

Native Species Challenge (0/5)

Embrace the ABCs Challenge (9/36)

Red necked wallaby (1/2)
Ring-tailed lemur (1/2)
Asian small-clawed otter (1/2)
Tiger (1/2)
Lion (1/2)
Meerkat (1/2)
Hyacinth macaw (1/2)
African bullfrog (1/2)
Madagascar hissing cockroach (1/2)

Second Chance Red List Challenge (14/14) COMPLETE

Vulnerable (4/4)
1. Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis
2. Asian small-clawed otter, Aonyx cinereus
3. Lion, Panthera leo
4. Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti
Endangered (4/4)
1. Ring tailed lemur, Lemur catta
2. Tiger, Panthera tigris
3. Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus
4. Wrinkled hornbill, Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus
Critically endangered (4/4)
1. Northern white-cheeked gibbon, Nomascus leucogenys
2. Blue-throated macaw, Ara glaucogularis
3. Rueppell's griffon vulture, Gyps rueppelli
4. Javan green magpie, Cissa thalassina
Extinct in the Wild
1. Socorro dove, Zenaida graysoni
2. Partula tohiveana

Island Hoppers Challenge (15/22)

Mammals (2/5)
1. Giant jumping rat, Hypogeomys antimena
2. Ring-tailed lemur, Lemur catta
Birds (6/6)
1. Bali myna, Leucopsar rothschildi
2. Goldie's lorikeet, Glossoptilus goldiei
3. Javan green magpie, Cissa thalassina
4. Mindanao bleeding heart, Gallicolumba crinigera
5. Montserrat oriole, Icterus oberi
6. Pink pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri
Reptiles (6/6)
1. Green tree monitor, Varanus prasinus
2. Dumeril's boa, Acrantophis dumerili
3. Galapagos giant tortoise, Chelonoidis niger
4. Komodo dragon, Varanus komodoensis
5. McCord's snake-necked turtle, Chelodina mccordi
6. Mindanao water monitor, Varanus cumingi
Amphibians (1/3)
1. Sardinian brook salamander, Euproctus platycephalus

I'm Hot Blooded (For Cold Blood) (5/24) and (6)

Monitors (1/4)
1. Mindanao water monitor, Varanus cumingi
Geckos (1/4)
1. Electric blue cave gecko, Lygodactylus williamsi
Venomous snakes (1/10)
1. King cobra, Ophiophagus hannah
Pythons (1/3)
1. Reticulated python, Malayopython reticulatus
Crocs and gharials (1/4)
1. Philippine crocodile, Crocodylus mindorensis
Turtles and tortoises (6)
1. Annam leaf turtle, Mauremys annamensis
2. Big-headed turtle, Platysternon megacephalum
3. Galapagos giant tortoise, Chelonoidis niger
4. McCord's snake-necked turtle, Chelodina mccordi
5. Spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca
6. Red-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis carbonarius

Usborne's Scavenger Hunt Challenge (4/15)

Species seen:
Pygmy hippopotamus
Reeves' muntjac
Giant tortoise

The Rio Challenge (4/8)

1. Burrowing parrot, Cyanoliseus patagonus
2. Blue-throated macaw, Ara glaucogularis
3. Green winged macaw, Ara chloropterus
4. Hyacinth macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

The Unbearable Challenge (0/8)

Hall of Champions (1/11)

1. Okapi, Okapi johnstoni

“One-Zoo Wonder” (1/1) COMPLETE

Complete with either the red list challenge or the Asian songbird challenge.

“Bona Fide Rarity Hunter" (1/3)

1. Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis

Thylo's Bonus Challenge (0/1)

In summary:
Challenges complete: 3/29
Challenges in progress: 17/29

 

Started off the year with three-and-a-half hours at London Zoo.

Penguimonium (Open-ended)
1. Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)

Fly the Coop (4/11)
Phasanids (4/6):
1. Collared Hill Partridge (Arborophila gingica)
2. Crested Wood Partridge (Rollulus rouloul)
3. Edward's Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)
4. Mountain Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron inopinatum)

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Trap (3/10)
1. Cape Porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis)
2. Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat (Hypogeomys antimena)
3. Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber)

How Many Toes Am I Holding Up? (/9)
Equids (/3):
1. Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)

Let that Ruminate (/11 + open-ended)
Pigs and Peccaries (2/3):
1. Red River Hog (Potamochoerus porcus)
2. Sulawesi Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa)

Hippos (1/2):
1. Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)

Giraffes (2/2):
1. Okapi (Okapia johnstoni)
2. Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Sea Shepherds (0/2)

Check Your Feeders (0/5)

Asian Songbird Challenge (5/5)
1. Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi)
2. Chestnut-backed Thrush (Geokichla dohertyi)
3. Forbes Parrot-finch (Erythrura tricolor)
4. Javan Green Magpie (Cissa thalassina)
5. White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)

Thylo's Top 20 (1/8)
1. Blue-crowned Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus courtoisi)

Small but Will Fight (2/10)
Mongooses (2/2)
1. Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula)
2. Meerkat (Suricata suricatta)

Pinni-Party (0/2)

Carnivore Carnival (0/6)

See, Don't Touch (Open-ended)
1. Dyeing Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius)

River Giants (1/1)
1. Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidanus)

Let's Give this Another Go (Open-ended)
1. Bennett's Wallaby (Notamacropus ruforgriseus)

Don't You Forget About Me (3/13)
Bats (1/4):
1. Rodrigues Flying Fox (Pteropus rodricensis)

Anteaters (1/1):
1. Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla)

Sloth (1/1):
1. Linnaeus' Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus)

Don't Turn on the Lights (7/10)
Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus)
Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat (Hypogeomys antimena)
Moholi Galago (Galago moholi)
Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber)
Potto (Perodicticus potto)
Pygmy Slow Loris (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus)

Native Species Challenge (0/5)

Embrace the ABCs Challenge (8/36)
1. Bennett's Wallaby (Notamacropus ruforgriseus) (1/2)
2. Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) (1/2)
3. Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) (1/2)
4. Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) (1/2)
5. Lion (Panthera leo) (1/2)
6. Tiger (Panthera tigris) (1/2)
7. African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) (1/2)
8. Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina oblongonota) (1/2)

Second Chance Red List Challenge (14/14)
Vulnerable (/4):
1. Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri)
2. Montserrat Oriole (Icterus oberi)
3. Mindanao Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba crinigera)
4. Java Sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora)
Endangered (/4):
1. Purple-naped Lory (Lorius domicella)
2. Wrinkled Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus)
3. Sumatran Laughingthrush (Garrulax bicolor)
4. Golden-headed Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)
Critically Endangered (/4):
1. Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis)
2. Edward's Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi)
3. Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
4. Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi)
Extinct in the Wild (/2):
1. Socorro Dove (Zenaida graysoni)
2. Tapairu Tree Snail (Partula hebe)

Island Hoppers Challenge (19/22)
Mammals (5/5)
1. Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
2. Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat (Hypogeomys antimena)
3. Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta)
4. Sulawesi Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa)
5. Sulawesi Crested Macaque (Macaca nigra)

Birds (/6)
1. Javan Green Magpie (Cissa thalassina)
2. Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi)
3. Java Sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora)
4. Mindanao Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba crinigera)
5. Montserrat Oriole (Icterus oberi)
6. Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri)

Reptiles (/6)
1. Round Island Skink (Leiolopisma telfarii)
2. Galapagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis niger)
3. Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
4. Mindanao Water Monitor (Varanus cumingi)
5. Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)
6. Dumeril's Boa (Acrantophis dumerili)

Amphibians (/3)
1. Sardinian Brook Salamander (Euproctus platycephalus)
2. Majorcan Midwife Toad (Alytes muletensis)

I'm Hot Blooded (For Cold Blood) (7/24 + Open-ended)
Monitors (/4)
1. Blue-spotted Tree Monitor (Varanus macraei)
2. Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
3. Mindanao Water Monitor (Varanus cumingi)

Geckos (/2)
1. William's Electric Blue Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi)

Venomous Snakes (/10)
1. King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

Pythons (/3)
1. Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus)

Crocodiles/gharials (/4)
1. Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)

Turtles and Tortoises (Open-ended)
1. Galapagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis niger)
2. Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca)
3. Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)
4. Annam Leaf Turtle (Mauremys annamensis)

Usborne's Scavenger Hunt Challenge (3/15)
1. Bolivian Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis)
2. Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
3. Galapagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis niger)

Rio Challenge (/8)
1. Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis)
2. Green-winged Macaw (Ara chloropterus)
3. Patagonian Conure (Cyanoliseus patagonus)

The Unbearable Challenge (/8)

Hall of Champions (1/11)
1. Okapi (Okapia johnstoni)

One Zoo Wonder (1/1)
1. Asian Songbird Challenge

Bona Fide Rarity Hunter (1/3 + 1/1 bonus)
1. Lake Oku Clawed Frog (Xenopus longipes)

Bona Fide Rarity Hunter Bonus:
1. Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis)

Thylo's Bonus Challenge (0/1)

Well, that is my challenge as of the first day of the year. Regarding the bonus for the Bona Fide Rarity Hunter (only captive individual of said species in the world), I am assuming that it is allowed to be from the same zoo in which you acquired one of your three non-bonus species (only captive individual on the continent). If I am wrong in this assumption, then please correct me and I will remove the Lake Oku Clawed Frog from the challenge.

So, in conclusion:

In-Progress (17/29):
Penguimonium
Fly the Coop
We're Gonna Need a Bigger Trap
How Many Toes Am I Holding Up?
Let that Ruminate
Thylo's Top 20
Small but Will Fight
See, Don't Touch
Let's Give this Another Go
Don't You Forget About Me
Don't Turn on the Lights
Embrace the ABCs Challenge
Island Hoppers Challenge
I'm Hot Blooded (For Cold Blood)
Usborne's Scavenger Challenge
Rio Challenge
Bona Fide Rarity Hunter

Completed (4/29):
Asian Songbird Challenge
River Giants
Second Chance Red List Challenge
One Zoo Wonder

 

A suggestion for everyone based on how North America went last year: the

Spoiler: Spoiler

Spoiler

function is very useful when everyone is constantly re-posting these very long lists; it helped me by keeping the pages from getting insanely long. Up to @ThylacineAlive whether they think that helps or hurts things, but it's food for thought.

 

Respectfully disagree. The boobook owl exhibited at Banham, as listed both on the signs and the website, is stated to not be from Australia at all, but from New Zealand and Norfolk Island only... and to clarify, it is listed on species level, not subspecies level. Looking up the latin name given confirms the signage. As far as I'm concerned, based on the information I'm given, it counts. I will assure you, I wouldn't have included it if I wasn't sure.