The Unicorn is a mythical animal with roots in Eurasia. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon DS, and Zoo Tycoon 2 DS
Description[]
Although they may vary, the classic depiction of the unicorn is based on those of European folklore, where it is portrayed as a horse-like animal, often with a goat-like beard. Its most distinguishing feature is the long spiralling horn growing from its forehead, which is said to have magical properties that can heal sickness and neutralize poison. Unicorns are frequently portrayed living in deep woodlands and are almost impossible to tame. It shares a rivalry with the lion.
Amongst the earliest depictions of unicorns come from Greek natural history. The physician Ctesias wrote about them in his book "Indika" whilst living in Persia, where he described an animal resembling a wild ass with a horn on its head. It is possible that his reports were based off sightings of the Arabian Oryx, potentially individuals that had broken off a horn whilst fighting.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The Unicorn is a secret adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon. It is unlocked after clearing the Paradise Island scenario, but can also be accessed by renaming an existing exhibit "Xanadu".
The Unicorn is a deciduous forest animal and requires a large exhibit. It displays prominent sexual dimorphism; males are black with an orange mane, whilst females are white with a pale, yellow mane. Unicorns give birth to a single foal, which is covered in zebra-like black and white stripes.
Zoo Tycoon DS[]
The unicorn is one of 5 unlockable animals in Zoo Tycoon DS. It is identical to its depiction in Zoo Tycoon.
Zoo Tycoon 2 DS[]
Although not adoptable in Zoo Tycoon 2, the Unicorn is an adoptable animal in its DS port. While adults the same coloration as in Zoo Tycoon, the babies were updated from being zebra-patterned with orange features to a grey colouration with a yellow mane. The appearance of the animal is also much more romanticized, with fuller manes, shorter horns, and the removal of their beards.
The Unicorn is the only Alpine animal in the game.
Trivia[]
- The exhibit name that unlocks unicorns, Xanadu, has an unclear origin. Possible source references for the Easter egg include the former capital of Shangdu; which featured unicorns on its currency during the Yuan dynasty, the 1980 film Xanadu with the lead single song Magic, and the 1980 comic book series also called Xanadu featuring unicorn characters that look similar to the unicorn in Zoo Tycoon.
- The unicorn and the yeti are the only animals in Zoo Tycoon 2 DS that were not originally present in Zoo Tycoon 2.
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
Zoo Tycoon 2 DS[]
.png "ZT2DS Render - Unicorn (Male).png (1.12 MB)")
.png "ZT2DS Render - Unicorn (Female).png (1.01 MB)")
.png "ZT2DS Render - Unicorn (Young).png (1.12 MB)")
| Zoo Tycoon DS animals | |
|---|---|
| Standard Animals | African Buffalo • African Elephant • African Lion • African Warthog • American Bighorn Sheep • American Bison • Arctic Wolf • Bengal Tiger • Black Bear • Black Leopard • Black Rhinoceros • California Sea Lion • Cheetah • Chimpanzee • Clouded Leopard • Common Wildebeest • Dromedary Camel • Emperor Penguin • Gemsbok • Giant Anteater • Giant Panda • Giraffe • Gray Wolf • Greater Flamingo • Grizzly Bear • Hippopotamus • Ibex • Jaguar • Leopard • Lowland Gorilla • Mandrill • Markhor • Moose • Okapi • Olive Baboon • Ostrich • Plains Zebra • Polar Bear • Red Kangaroo • Saltwater Crocodile • Siberian Tiger • Snow Leopard • Spotted Hyena • Thomson's Gazelle • White Bengal Tiger |
| Unlockable Content | Asian Elephant • Kouprey • Onager • Orangutan • Unicorn |
| Zoo Tycoon 2 DS animals | |
|---|---|
| Standard Animals | African Elephant • Black Panther • Black Rhinoceros • California Sea Lion • Cheetah • Chimpanzee • Dolphin • Dromedary Camel • Galapagos Giant Tortoise • Giant Sable Antelope • Gray Wolf • Greater Flamingo • Grizzly Bear • Komodo Dragon • Lion • Masai Giraffe • Moose • Nile Crocodile • Ostrich • Orangutan • Polar Bear • Pygmy Hippopotamus • Red Kangaroo • Spanish Lynx • Wolverine • Zebra |
| Star Animals | American Beaver • Emperor Penguin • Giant Panda • Koala • Mountain Gorilla • Sea Otter |
| Amazing Animals | Saber-toothed Tiger • Triceratops • Unicorn • Yeti |