First impressions are important, especially when designing your dream zoo in Planet Zoo. Your entrance is the first thing your guest will see when they walk in and it sets the tone for the entire experience. Choosing the right animal to greet your guest can make a world of difference in the experience. In this guide, we'll explore the 10 best entrance animals that will captivate your visitors from the moment they step through the gates.
10. Mute Swan
The graceful Mute Swan is sure to make for a beautiful first impression on your clients when they first walk into your zoo.
Mute Swans require a water source in order to be happy which means that if you place them at the beginning of your zoo then your guest will be greeted by a pond which you can decorate with a beautiful gazebo or other structure of your choice. Plus, Mute Swans aren’t incredibly needy space wise, as long as they have their pond then they’ll be happy. Also, Mute Swans have the benefit of being able to live comfortably in a pair or in a large group depending on how big you want your entrance to be.
Why the Mute Swan Is a Great Entrance Animal:
- Water sources like ponds or rivers make for great ways to start Zoos
- Don’t need very large spaces for comfortable living as long as they are provided a pond
- Can live in a pair or in a large group depending on how big you want to go with your entrance
Mute Swan Details:
- Found in temperate areas all throughout Asia and Europe
- Most comfortable at -5 - 34° Celsius
- Live in groups of 2 - 50 with up to 25 males and 25 females
- Mute swans are extremely intelligent and have even been known to bear grudges
How to get the Mute Swan: Can be found in the Eurasia Pack
9. Indian Peafowl
The Indian Peafowl will stun your guests with their beautiful displays and even more beautiful habitats.
If you are making a themed zoo inspired by India or Asia then the Indian Peafowl would make for a really eye-catching opener since its natural colors lend themself to Indian and Asian architecture. The Indian Peafowl also don’t need a massive amount of space even though they live in groups which means you can fit them in quite comfortably at the front of your zoo. You could also make your Indian Peafowl habitat into a walk through habitat so your guest can get up close and personal with them.
Why the Indian Peafowl Is a Great Entrance Animal:
- Would fit in great into an India or Asia inspired zoo
- Don’t need a large amount of space in order to exist happily
- Can live in Walk through Habitats for an up close experience for guests
Indian Peafowl Details:
- Native throughout India and its surrounding regions
- Are most comfortable between 3 - 42° Celsius
- Live in group sizes of 4 - 20 with the limit being 4 males and 16 females
- The Indian peafowl is the national bird of India
How to get the Indian Peafowl: Included in standard edition of the game
8. Aldabra Giant Tortoise
The Aldabra Giant tortoise is sure to charm your guests as soon as they walk into your zoo.
If you’re trying to theme your zoo around the harsh desert or decided to build your zoo in a desert environment then the Aldabra Giant Tortoise will fit right in. And even though they are called Giant Tortoises, they don’t need a massive amount of space which means you can dedicate more space to your other animals. Aldabra giant Tortoises also have one of the longest lifespans in the game which means you won’t have to replace them as frequently as some of your other animals.
Why the Aldabra Giant Tortoise Is a Great Entrance Animal:
- Lives comfortably in a desert environment and work for desert themed zoos
- Don’t need a large amount of space to be happy
- Long lifespan means you won’t have to worry about them dying of old age any time soon.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise Details:
- Live in the Seychelles region of Africa
- Most comfortable in 16 ‒ 42° Celsius
- Live in group sizes of 1 - 4 with the limit being 1 male and 3 females
- Aldabra tortoises are so large they carve paths in their environment which other animals tend to use
How to get the Aldabra Giant Tortoise: Included in standard edition of the game
7. Capybara
Capybaras are an extremely popular animal especially online so it’s always fun to try and have some in your zoo, especially since they make good entrance animals.
Capybaras love and need a body of water in order to be happy which means you can place a cute little pond at your entrance to welcome your guests. Capybaras also live in groups which makes for a great sight as guests love to see animals interacting together and forming little families. Not only that, Capybaras also can share their habitat with a variety of other animals for an inter species bonus that’s sure to be appealing.
Why the Capybara Is a Great Entrance Animal:
- Having them means a nice pond for your entrance
- Group animals are extremely social which guest love to see
- Capybaras can live happily with other species for a bonus
Capybara Details:
- Live in regions throughout south America
- Most comfortable in 13 ‒ 42° Celsius
- Live in group sizes of 4 - 20 with up to 9 male and up to 19 females
- The capybara is the largest living rodent in the world
How to get the Capybara: Can be found in the Wetland Animals Pack
6. Northern Brown Island Kiwi
The Northern Brown Island Kiwi is a fascinating animal that deserves more representation, especially for an entrance animal.
It’s a very small animal which works great if you don’t have a massive amount of space to use for the entrance. And if you like more natural based entrances then the kiwi’s foliage selection will work wonderfully as it has some amazing trees and plants in its likes that can be used to decorate the habitat and its surrounding area. Plus the kiwi is among the short list of animals that can use a small burrow which can be connected to a screen so your guest can watch your kiwis rest and play even when they’re underground.
Why the Northern Brown Island Kiwi Is a Great Entrance Animal:
- Don’t need a lot of space committed to them to be happy
- The kiwi’s selection of foliage is great for decorating
- The small burrow is a fun new way for your guest to interact with your kiwis
Northern Brown Island Kiwi Details:
- Live all throughout New Zealand
- Most comfortable in -4 ‒ 35° Celsius
- Live with 1- 2 individuals with 1 male and 1 female
- In Northern Brown Island Kiwis, the males incubate the eggs
How to get the Northern Brown Island Kiwi: Can be found in the Oceania Pack
5. Platypus
The Platypus is one of Australia’s most exotic and strange animals but this lovable creature makes for a great entrance animal for a number of reasons.
Platypuses are aquatic animals that need semi deep tanks which makes for a great thing to have at an entrance. Plus aquatic animals like the platypus have an incredibly fun palette of foliage that’s great to use for decoration. The platypus is an incredibly unique animal in terms of environment and behavior which is fun for you and your guests to watch.
Why the Platypus is a Great Entrance Animal:
- It’s a great choice if you want an Aquatic Habitat for your entrance
- If you want to take advantage of the platypus’s wide variety of plants as decoration
- If you want a one of a kind animal for you and your guests to view
Platypus Details:
- Live in rivers throughout Australia
- Most comfortable in -4 ‒ 42° Celsius
- Live with 1 - 3 individuals with 1 male and 2 females
- Platypuses are the only mammals that can use echolocation
How to get the Platypus: Can be found in the Wetland Animals Pack
4. African Crested Porcupine
Although the African Crested Porcupine isn’t an animal you can get up close with, it does make for a great
Animal for your entrance.
A lot of people like to make African themed zoos but a lot of African animals are big ticket sellers or are a little skittish. The African Crested Porcupine is a smaller animal that isn’t scared to be around people that works in the popular African theme. African Crested Porcupines also can live solo or in small groups depending on how you want to house them. Porcupines can also use the large burrow which can be connected to a screen so your guests can see them even when they’re underground.
Why the African Crested Porcupine is a Great Entrance Animal:
- The African Crested Porcupine works as a great entrance animal for African themed zoos
- Can live solo or in small groups depending on how much space you want to dedicate to them
- Can use the Large Burrow for a fun way for your guest to interact with your animals
African Crested Porcupine Details:
- Found throughout Africa and Europe
- Most comfortable in 3 ‒ 43° Celsius
- Live with 1 - 6 individuals with up to 5 males and up to 5 females
- African Crested Porcupines will shake their quills to make a rattling sound while also stamping their feet when they feel threatened
How to get the African Crested Porcupine: Can be found in the Arid Animals Pack
3. Japanese Macaque
Some people struggle when building zoos in snowy environments due to animals struggling with the temperatures, but the Japanese Macaque doesn’t face this problem.
The Japanese Macaque thrives in extremely cold environments which makes it a great choice for snowy environments or when trying to go for a snowy theme. Japanese Macaques infamously love hot springs which can be used as a good inspiration for an entrance. They are slightly expensive due to the fact that they live in groups but seeing them live in groups makes for a stunning sight especially because they can be housed with the beautiful Red Crane for an inter species boost.
Why the Japanese Macaque is a Great Entrance Animal:
- They work great for snowy themes and environments
- Their love of hot springs make for great entrance inspirations
- The sight of them in groups and with Red Cranes is really beautiful
Japanese Macaque Details:
- Found in Japan
- Most comfortable in -15 ‒ 29° Celsius
- Live with 8 - 50 individuals with up to 17 males and up to 33 females
- Female Japanese macaques become good friends by grooming each other
How to get the Japanese Macaque: Included in standard edition of the game
2. California Sea Lion
Sea Lions tend to make a large splash especially when in zoos but you should know that they make great entrance animals.
The idea of an island filled with Sea Lions is an incredibly popular and fun way to be greeted at a zoo with iconic zoos like the Houston and Buffalo zoo having it incorporated into their entrances. Aquatic exhibits are generally good things to have near the entrance as guests love to see animals swim and play in water and makes a good inbetween point for different themed areas. Sea Lions themselves are loud and fun animals which are sure to grab and hold your guests attention for a long while.
Why the California Sea Lion is a Great Entrance Animal:
- Sea Lion Islands/Coves are popular things for real life zoos to place at entrances
- Sea Lions are fun animals that are sure to grab your guest’s attention
- Aquatic exhibits are fun and work as a good way to transition between themed areas
California Sea Lion Details:
- Found throughout North and Central American shores
- Most comfortable in -4 ‒ 31° Celsius
- Live with 3 - 15 individuals with up to 5 males and up to 15 females
- California Sea Lions are the fastest species of seal, being able to swim up to 25 MPH
How to get the California Sea Lion: Can be found in the North America Animals Pack
1. Colombian White-Faced Capuchin Monkey
Monkeys are incredibly popular animals in zoos but it’s important to note that they make great entrance animals.
Similar to Sea Lion Island, Monkey Islands are an iconic sight in zoos with a couple even putting them near the entrance. Colombian White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys are extremely fun animals though and make for a great sight for you and your guests as they enjoy their enrichment items. Since Colombian White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys live in large groups, your guests will be able to always see at least one monkey no matter which angle they view the exhibit from. Colombian White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys can also be housed with a few other tropical animals for an inter species bonus.
Why the Colombian White-Faced Capuchin Monkey is a Great Entrance Animal:
- If you want to build a Monkey island then this is a good reason why
- They are extremely fun to watch as they play with their enrichment
- Living in large groups means your guests will always be able to see at least one monkey
- The Capuchins can be housed with a few other animals for an inter species bonus
Colombian White-Faced Capuchin Monkey Details:
- Found throughout South and Central American shores
- Most comfortable in 12 ‒ 42° Celsius
- Live with 8 - 40 individuals with up to 13 males and up to 39 females
- White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys are extremely intelligent and have been trained to assist paraplegics and to star on TV and in films
How to get the Colombian White-Faced Capuchin Monkey: Can be found in the South America Animals Pack
