Zoochat Challenge North America 2024

2024 – new year, new challenge, same game.

With zoos playing such a big role these days in wildlife conservation and educating the public about the natural world, I decided this year’s challenge would focus on a group of animals that are instrumental to the proper functioning of every ecosystem. Sometimes they are cute and cuddly, sometimes they are alien and feared… but each one is an equally vital piece of the puzzle, and so will equally count for this year’s challenge: Apex Predators.

So what counts as an “apex predator”? Broadly, they are carnivores at the top of their food chain; for the sake of simplicity in this challenge, though, I have based eligible species on a handful of groups that are comprised largely or primarily of apex predators – so it’s not the most exact lineup, but it will be easy to remember I hope. This will also be a multiclass challenge, so we’re breaking out of the taxonomic mold yet again. Here is what can be counted this year:

MAMMALS
Felidae (cats)
Canidae (dogs and foxes)
Ursidae (bears)
Hyaenidae (hyenas)
An additional species you can count is Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), the apex predator of Madagascar. Also: as an exception to the IUCN taxonomy and domestic rules (mentioned in the rules further down), Dingo/New Guinea Singing Dog can be counted this year as a single species, Canis familiaris.

BIRDS
Any and all raptors! Taxonomically that will be:
Accipitriformes (hawks, eagles, Old World vultures, secretarybird, etc.)
Cathartiformes (New World vultures)
Falconiformes (falcons)
Strigiformes (owls)
An additional species that will count is Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata), a cousin to the extinct terror birds.

REPTILES
Any and all crocodilians (Order Crocodilia). Also, Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) – which will now have counted for 3 North America challenges in a row. You go, Komodo!

FISHES
As the apex predators of the oceans, we will also count sharks (clade Selachimorpha).

Before we get to the rules, a quick shoutout to @Shorts for providing us the genesis and template of these games.

The Rules
1. You have to actually see the animal, even if just for a second.
2. Photographic proof is not required; your word is your bond.
3. All entries must be in a numbered list and include the following: the species you’re counting, the day you saw it and the zoo you saw it at.
4. All animals must be seen in captivity in North America (Canada, the United States, or Mexico); in a public zoological collection (no farms, expos, pet stores, private or exclusive facilities); and via normal public access during normal public opening hours (no behind-the-scenes or VIP tours, exclusive events, etc.).
5. Report your progress on this thread as you go along; do not leave all your updates until the last minute. If you post several months’ worth of updates in the final days of December, I reserve the right to not count them. This is to ensure fairness and transparency for everyone.
6. The taxonomy source we will be using is IUCN. Our unit is species, not subspecies.
7. Hybrid animals and domestic animals do not count unless an exception is made.
8. Violating the rules or participating in unsportsmanlike conduct is grounds for disqualification from this year’s competition and/or from future North America challenges.
9. The winner will be whoever sees the most apex predator species between January 1 and December 31, 2024.

The deadline system from this past year is still in place, though I’ve extended the deadline by a month:

There is no official deadline to join; however, anyone who joins the game after May 31 can only count eligible species from their two most recent zoo visits.

And with that, the challenge begins tomorrow… who’s ready to find some predators?

 

Excited to participate in another challenge! While these are taxonomic groups that by and large don't interest me (with the exception of bears and a handful of other species), I do like the concept of multi-taxa challenges so am excited to participate.

 

A few reasons: simplicity's sake, lack of cultural perception as apex predators (orcas withstanding), uncommon in captivity here and so doesn't add much for people, etc. It's one of a few groups of animals that I considered including, but ultimately left off to keep things more streamlined.

 

The funny and sad thing is, of the four challenges going on right now (British et al, Europe, Global and North America), this, the one I'm not eligible to take part in, is the one I legit think I would have the best shot at.

 

Excited to once again participate, unfortunately I won’t be able to go to as many parks this year but I’ll still try my best. I went to the Bergen County Zoo today for my first visit and despite it being a smaller zoo, got a few species in to start.
Bergen County Zoo 1.1
1) Cougar (Puma concolor)
2) Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
3) Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
4) Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
5) Red Wolf (Canis Rufus)

 

Happy New Years!!!

1/1/24
Lowry Park Zoo
1. Tiger (Panthera tigiris)
2. Florida Panther (Puma concolor)
3. Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
4. N.A Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
5. Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus)
6. Red Wolf (Canis rufus)
7. Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus)
8. Tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii)
9. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
10. Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
11. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
12. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
13. Barred Owl (Strix varia)
14. E. Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
15. Red legged Seriema (Cariama cristata)

Also if I saw a species that's off display, does that count?

 

Excited to actually get in from the jump this year. Tagging this for now.

 

Sort of depends on what you mean by "off-display" - though my tentative/general answer would most likely be no.

I'll add a clarifying definition for the relevant part of Rule 4 and you can let me know (here or by PM) if that doesn't answer your question.

4. via normal public access = A) the animal is on display in an enclosure, or B) the animal is part of a public demonstration (bird flight show, ambassador animal talk, etc).

 

It's the martial eagle. They currently are doing anything with it due to construction so it's being held off display currently

 

Gotcha. I'll go with a no on that one, assuming it doesn't fall under one of the two situations I outlined above.

 

10-4 thanks!

 

So extra fees mean animals can't be counted? I understand not counting things like insider tours or expensive private animal encounters, but by this logic something like the $5 bird show at National Aviary (School Programming | National Aviary) wouldn't count, or debateably extra-cost attractions such as Bronx Zoo's Wild Asia Monorail. Am I interpreting this correctly?

 

Yes, things like that are fine. I went back and removed the "free" part of that definition... sorry for any confusion that caused.

What I was trying to get at is the difference between a "typical" visitor experience and an "exclusive" visitor experience. Paying $5 for a bird show at the National Aviary or additional exhibits at Bronx are nominal fees IMO; they might not *technically* be part of the general admission ticket, but a typical visitor would presumably cough up a fiver to see more of the zoo's collection. Paying a much larger sum of money for an insider tour or private animal encounter is a different situation; that would fall under my personal definitions of "exclusive" or "behind-the-scenes".

Hopefully that makes sense to everyone, but I realize it's not exactly a "hard-and-fast" rule - so if people need further clarification that's fine.

 

First zoo of the year!

Toronto Zoo: 1 January 2024
1. False gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii)
2. Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
3. Tiger (Panthera tigris)
4. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
5. Brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)
6. Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)
7. Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)
8. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

 

disney's animal kingdom: 1/1/24
1. African Lion (Panthera Leo)
2. African Wild Dog (Lycaon Pictus)
3. American Crocodile (Crocodylus Acutus)
Disney's the seas with nemo and friends 1/1/24
4. Brownbanded Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium Punctatum)
5. Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium Ocellatum)
6. Sandbar Shark (Carharhinus Plumbeus)
5. Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna Lewini)

 

1/2/24
Busch Gardens Tampa
16. Lion (Panthera leo)
17. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
18. Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
19. Nile Croc (Crocodylus niloticus)
20. Slender Snouted Croc (Mecistops cataphractus)
21. American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

Florida International Teaching Zoo
22. Jaguar (Panthera onca)
23. Serval (Leptailurus serval)
24. Broad Snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris)

 

A sunny January day in San Diego to kick off the new year and the new challenge!


San Diego Zoo (San Diego, CA) - 02 January, 2024:

Spoiler

Felidae:
1. Caracal (Caracal caracal)
2. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
3. Cougar (Puma concolor)
4. Jaguar (Panthera onca)
5. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
6. Lion (Panthera leo)
7. Tiger (Panthera tigris)
8. Serval (Leptailurus serval)
9. Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

Canidae:
10. Fennec fox (Vulpes zerda)

Ursidae:
11. Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
12. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
13. Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)

Accipitriformes:
14. Crowned eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus)
15. Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja)
16. Steller’s sea-eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

Cathartiformes:
17. Andean condor (Vultur gryphus)
18. California condor (Gymnogyps californianus)

Strigiformes:
19. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)

Crocodilia:
20. Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)
21. Dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus)
22. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
23. Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)
24. Slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus)
25. West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)

Varanidae:
26. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

 

SeaWorld San Diego 1/1/2024 and 1/2/2024
1. Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus)
2. Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
3. Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus)
4. Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris)
5. Zebra Shark (Stegostoma tigrinum)
6. Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
7. Bonnethead Shark (Sphyrna tiburo)
8. Whitespotted Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)
9. Brownbanded Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)
10. Speckled Carpetshark (Hemiscyllium trispeculare)

 

forget to mention one here,
disney's animal kingdom: 1/1/24
8. Cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus)