Are "hard shelter" requirements bugged? They rarely work.

[Justin_760]

For example, I have 3 Nyala (small deer-like creatures) and THREE big *** hard shelters that are large enough to accommodate a damn elephant. Yet the hard shelter requirement for them is at 44%. Somehow when I only had two shelters, the requirement was HIGHER, at 50%. Clearly there is no consistent logic in how this works, or is there?

Are these Nyala so snobby that they want numerous shelters for each of themselves? I dont see how one big one each isn't enough.

Is this just bugged?

[wim1234]

i have not had any issues with hard shelters yet, but i have not done the Nyala yet, will try.

[Nariel]

Is there enough bedding for all the animals?

[jasper_1912]

HAving the same problem, not with my Nyalas though, but with tigers and okapi. When I add a new shelter, they tend to be happy for a moment. But when I come back after some time, the happiness is low again because of not enough shelters in habbitat...

[Moosegun]

Originally posted by Justin_760:

For example, I have 3 Nyala (small deer-like creatures) and THREE big *** hard shelters that are large enough to accommodate a damn elephant. Yet the hard shelter requirement for them is at 44%. Somehow when I only had two shelters, the requirement was HIGHER, at 50%. Clearly there is no consistent logic in how this works, or is there?

Are these Nyala so snobby that they want numerous shelters for each of themselves? I dont see how one big one each isn't enough.

Is this just bugged?

Do you add bedding? It is actually bedding that is important. You can build a cave and put bedding in it and not use shelters at all (which would suggest it is not bugged).

Originally posted by jasper_1912:

HAving the same problem, not with my Nyalas though, but with tigers and okapi. When I add a new shelter, they tend to be happy for a moment. But when I come back after some time, the happiness is low again because of not enough shelters in habbitat...

Have they had babies? More bodies, more beds

If these 'bugs' do turn out to be user error, please feel free to post back here. Most people dont bother.

[Lekkerding]

Sometimes with scary animals you have to put walls on shelters with empty spaces, or they do not go in. Idk if that helps

[Justin_760]

I have bedding, I add it to the shelters with the auto-position snap so they aren't colliding with each other. Its still a problem.

I have this issue across my park. My pronghorn have EIGHT shelters for only 5 of them, and the meter is at 68% fulfilled. Obviously it makes zero sense that each pronghorn would need TWO shelters each, but I can't figure out why this is varying so much. In other habitats it works fine and one shelter will be enough for 1-2 animals.

[kadraws]

Click on the bedding. Make sure the status says "dry". If it's not positioned right, the bedding can get wet and then the animals won't count it.

[Moosegun]

Originally posted by Justin_760:

I have bedding, I add it to the shelters with the auto-position snap so they aren't colliding with each other. Its still a problem.

I have this issue across my park. My pronghorn have EIGHT shelters for only 5 of them, and the meter is at 68% fulfilled. Obviously it makes zero sense that each pronghorn would need TWO shelters each, but I can't figure out why this is varying so much. In other habitats it works fine and one shelter will be enough for 1-2 animals.

You do realise that you cant just use any shelter for any animal right? Just noticed that you said you used large shelters for Nyala, I cant test it but pretty such that they arent compatible (doesnt matter how many you choose to put in the enclosure). Go to habitat shelters and filter the list by the animal type and make sure you are using the correct type.

[River Otter]

Originally posted by Moosegun:

You do realise that you cant just use any shelter for any animal right? Just noticed that you said you used large shelters for Nyala, I cant test it but pretty such that they arent compatible (doesnt matter how many you choose to put in the enclosure). Go to habitat shelters and filter the list by the animal type and make sure you are using the correct type.

Unless Im seriously mistaken, this shouldnt matter. Any shelter is shelter, even one you create, whether it be terrain or habitat logs. As long as there is bedding of large enough size.

[MessiahofMelons]

Check traversable area and shelter heat map. Pictures would help.

Ive had no shelter issues personally. Also bedding has nothing to do with hard shelter. Bedding effects bedding

[Chopicus]

I have a custom shelter that I created that used to be perfect for my Aldabra Tortoise, but now it doesn't cover even 58% most of the time. The best I got was 73%, but it used to be 100%. Are babies maybe taking up too much space for their size?

[Moving Target]

3 x Nyala and 3 x 8x4 shelters - my dammed bears need less coverage!!

[Jhembryn]

Adding a wall between visitors and the shelters fixed it for me.. just in case anyone else finds this when searching the issue like I did.

[Krall]

Originally posted by solid gold:

Click on the bedding. Make sure the status says "dry". If it's not positioned right, the bedding can get wet and then the animals won't count it.

I just stumbled upon that yesterday. Click the bedding and it tells you if it’s dry or not. Now I can go back and check my other shelters to see how under utilized they are.

[Fleece Johnson]

They also don't like it when guests can see into the shelter from too many sides (unless you use one-way glass).
I custom-built a shelter from rocks, closed from N and W and open to S and E. S and E were also facing viewing areas. 27% coverage. Closed it to E and opened towards W instead: 100% coverage.

EDIT: Then the game crashed. Now the same solution won't work any more.
Even replaced glass section of barrier towards E with planks. Nothing. :@

EDIT 2: Ok... traversability heatmap revealed the issue. Apparently rocks and similar create a HUGE invisible forcefield that is not traversable to animals.