The Japanese Serow (Capricornis crispus (or Naemorhedus crispus in the early 2000s)) is a small Asian ungulate. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon.
Description[]
The Japanese Serow is one of four species of serow, a type of goat-like ungulate found in Asia. As its name suggests, the Japanese serow is found in Japan, primarily in the northern regions of Honshu. It is quite small, standing 81cm (32in) tall and weighing up to 45kg (99lb). Its extremely bushy fur can vary in color, but tends to get lighter during the summer months. Males and females are very similar in appearance.
The Japanese serow lives in dense mountain forests, eating leaves, shoots and acorns. Active during the day, they are largely solitary, with males and females having separate territories that may overlap. The Japanese serow was hunted to near extinction during the mid 20th century, but was designated as a Special National Monument by the Japanese government in 1955 and numbers have since greatly increased. Today, it is considered a national symbol of Japan and has been dubbed "the living national treasure of the forest" by conservationists.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The Japanese Serow is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon. It is a downloadable animal that was included as part of the Endangered Species Theme Pack and is classed as a Zoo Tycoon animal.
The Japanese Serow is a Deciduous Forest animal. It also likes a bit of fresh water, grey stone, dirt, grass, and brown stone, along with a little elevation. It requires several rocks in its exhibit.
Trivia[]
- The real life Japanese Serow has small horns and a beard, present in both males and females. These are absent in the Zoo Tycoon serows, presumably due to graphical limitations.
- The Japanese Serow's scientific name at the time of the release of the Endangered Species Theme Pack was heavily debated. At the time both scientific names, Capricornis crispus and Naemorhedus crispus were used interchangeably and were considered equally correct. This was due to the theory at the time that the Japanese Serow was possibly a type of Goral. However, this theory fell through when DNA analysis was done in 2004, which did not support it. In the modern day, Capricornis crispus is considered the only correct name.