December 12, 2002

Your guide to the American Mastodon in Zoo Tycoon. Learn about its habitat, diet, and how to keep your guests happy with this impressive prehistoric creature. Get started today!

Hey there! So, you're looking to add the American Mastodon to your zoo? Great choice! These guys are real showstoppers. Let's get you up to speed on everything you need to know to make them thrive and keep your visitors amazed. First off, think about where you're placing this magnificent beast. The American Mastodon, as its name suggests, is right at home in North America. When you're setting up its enclosure, you'll want to aim for terrain that mimics its natural habitat. Think temperate forests and taiga – areas with plenty of trees and a cooler climate. Don't skimp on the foliage; they love to browse on leaves and woody plants, so make sure there's a good amount of that in their habitat. When it comes to diet, these guys are herbivores, primarily browsers. They'll munch on leaves, fruits, and the woody bits of plants. So, stock up on those appropriate food items in your zoo's food dispensers. A happy mastodon is a well-fed mastodon, and that means happy guests! Now, for the social aspect. Like their modern elephant cousins, female and juvenile mastodons tend to live in herds, while the adult males are more solitary. You'll likely want to house your females and young together to keep them content. You can keep a male or two in separate, adjacent enclosures, or give them their own space. Just be mindful that males can sometimes enter phases of aggression, similar to 'musth' in elephants. Keep an eye on that and be prepared to manage their social dynamics to avoid any unwanted drama in your zoo. In terms of enclosure size, these are large animals. Make sure you're providing ample space. A cramped mastodon is an unhappy mastodon, and that can lead to stress, illness, and generally poor guest satisfaction. You'll need to research the specific size requirements for their enclosure in the game, but generally, bigger is better for these prehistoric giants. When you're looking to acquire one, keep an eye on the available animals. They can be a bit pricey, but the visitor draw they provide is usually well worth the investment. Remember to check their happiness levels regularly – a low happiness score can indicate issues with their habitat, diet, or social grouping. So, to recap: temperate forest/taiga habitat, browse-heavy diet, careful social grouping (herds for females/young, solitary for males), and plenty of space. Nail these, and your American Mastodon exhibit will be a roaring success! Good luck!