The dates have been set, the competition begins in less than a week. The first three matches are as follows. 5/21/18 - Minnesota vs Bronx 5/22/18 - Oklahoma City vs Fort Worth 5/23/18 - Fresno vs Disney The rest of the matches will be revealed the day before they begin.
Three very interesting matchups. The one I'm most excited for is Bronx vs Minnesota, which is mainly due to the fact that I'm visiting Bronx the day the competition starts! I'll be sure to relay lots of information about that zoo. Oklahoma vs Fort Worth should be good, two interesting zoos. I wouldn't want to be matched up against Fort Worth if the category was Reptiles, however. Fresno vs Disney should be the least exciting matchup, but it might be interesting to see how a zoo I know nothing about (Fresno), matches up against a zoo I've visited multiple times.
Interesting to see some heavy hitters right away. It makes for a fun competition. Oklahoma City is rather formidable in reptiles as well, particularly in turtles as they are the new reptile curator’s interest. What makes you say this? Fresno, though small, is making increases in leaps and bounds and seems to be all-around rather high quality for its size.
The first round has begun! The first match has been posted and closes in four days, get your votes in before it too late.
I have a couple of technical questions about the "Small Mammal" category. First, do large mammals that don't fit other categories, like kangaroos and giant anteaters, fit into that category or should they be discounted altogether? Second, do small primates additionally count in this category or should they only be considered when the matchup is Primates?
This brings up one of my main issues with this challenge: the categories are extremely vague. Originally large carnivores were listed as being big cats, bears, and canines (all? It was never specified), but then pachy added pinnipeds to that as well as larger-sized small cats, with hyenas being added later ~Thylo
There is a reason the original ZooChat Cup changed the categories so why does this one use the old problematic categories?
As I mentioned, it's up to you to decide what dictates a small mammal. A giraffe of course is not, but cases such as a kangaroo, it can be considered a "small mammal" if you feel it is. Small primates only count if the category is primates in general.
Thank you for this clarification. I'm interpreting this as, any mammal that does not otherwise fall into the other mammal categories could be considered a "small mammal" depending on one's preference? Why not just call the category "Other Mammals" then? Because I think it's difficult to make a case for a red kangaroo being small... It makes sense for pinnipeds and hyenas to be included in that category, but a size or taxa cutoff for felines and canines seems like it would be useful.
Small Mammals has been turned into miscellaneous mammals, large carnivores have been turned into carnivores. These will be used from here on out.
Wining 18 to 10, the Bronx zoo has won the second season of the zoochat cup over the San Diego zoo. Many thanks to everyone who participated, voted and added to discussion. Another season is in the works however, @ZooBinh will be hosting an international aquarium cup in the near future. Then later this year @CGSwans will take back his rightful spot as host with another European themed cup. Once more, thank you to all the participants and thank you to Mr. Swans for the original concept.