Welcome to the Jungle of Animal Slots
Pet lovers, those who enjoy seeing creatures in the wild, and admirers of the natural world can probably find some sort of slot that interests them. There are numerous slot themes available and animal slots are some of the most popular in a live casino or online.
The games available range from cute and cuddly to wild and majestic to prehistoric. If there’s an animal you can think of, it’s a good bet a slot manufacturer has developed a slot featuring some of those critters or beasts.
Keep reading to learn more about animal slots and what makes this game theme so popular.
The Spectrum of Animal-Themed Slots
A glance at the Jackpot Party shows the wide variety of animal slots available to those looking to see some reels spin with some of man’s best friends or other wild or mythical beasts. You can play slots online with no download required or download the app for playing anywhere without having to put any money on the line.
There is a wide diversity of games within this slot theme similar to that seen in historically-themed slots. Here’s a look at some of the popular game types within this animal theme.
Pets – These games appeal to players’ love of their pets and usually feature some cute and cuddly furry creatures. Games like OMG! Puppies and goldfish are great examples of these.
Wildlife – Bringing nature right to the slot machine has become a more popular option for slot lovers in recent years. Gorilla Chief II takes players into the world of these great beasts. Raging Rhino, King of Africa, and Pride and Prey also feature a trip on an African safari.
Farm animals – Head to the farm (slots) for some additional cows, chickens, and more. Invaders from the Planet Moolah gives this category a bit of a twist with a sci-fi twist.
Fairy Tale and Pop Culture Animals – Some slots offer a look at some animals seen in popular fiction fairy tales and more. Cheshire Cat takes players into the world of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Lil’ Red features the well-known Big Bad Wolf.
Mythical and ancient creatures – Beyond traditional animals in the modern world, mythical beasts are also a popular option when playing some slots. Dragons, which are said to bring good luck in Chinese culture, are found in many games such as Eye of the Dragon, Mystical Dragons, and Dragons of the North. Sabertooth also takes players years into the past to see some extinct creatures that walked the earth.
The Role of Animals in Human Culture and Their Influence on Slots
Why are animals so compelling that they’ve become a regular and popular theme for slot makers? Many people have a natural affection for animals of some sort and this goes back thousands of years. Early man probably enjoyed keeping a dog or cat for the same for most people today: companionship, love, warmth, and other traits that come with petting and cuddling a pet.
“Humans have likely kept baby animals for amusement as long as humans have lived,” Smithsonian magazine notes. “But, usually, as those babies matured and became less cute and perhaps more unruly, they ended up being thrown back into the wild or maybe even eaten. One study published by University of Maine researchers in 2011 found evidence that dogs were being bred and eaten on occasion by humans living in Texas some 9,400 years ago. The giveaway was a small dog bone found in ancient human fecal matter.”
Modern man has ramped up that love of companion animals – usually minus the eating – into much larger numbers. According to the American Pet Products Association, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet with dogs the most popular at 65.1 million households own a dog. Cats are found in 46.5 million households.
From unicorns and dragons to gargoyles and Kraken, man has even created mysterious imaginary creatures through the years. These have been seen in the world of fiction, fairy tales, mythology, sci-fi, and more.
With pets and animals in general so popular among many humans, it seems only natural that slot developers would make this connection.
The Art of Immersion: Graphics and Sound Design in Animal-Themed Slots
Beyond a massive number of game types and themes, modern technology allows game developers to ramp up the graphics and sound for the ultimate slot experience. These elements allow for an almost movie-like experience.
Manufacturers have ramped up the artistry with these modern-themed games. High-definition screens and video technology have made the experience even more realistic.
A game like Pride and Prey offers a brilliant view of the African savanna as players go on a virtual safari. The giraffes, lions, and zebras are also impressive. The soundtrack is also light and fun, offering slot players a bit of escapism beyond the casino or their mobile phone.
Why Animal-Themed Slots Appeal to a Wide Range of Players
Slot designers continue to improve their products and players have certainly benefited from something for every taste or interest. That certainly includes animal slots.
Animals and mythical creatures are just so prevalent in society and culture that these games appeal to a large percentage of players. Think of all the nature shows and documentaries available on platforms like Netflix or fantasy and science fiction Harry Potter and Star Wars.
On HBO, Game of Thrones has fascinated viewers around the world. In the cartoon world, characters like Garfield, Marmaduke, Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, Angry Birds, and Bambi have been popular for generations. Slot games seem just like the next iteration of that pop culture. There are just some simple reasons behind humans’ love of animals and pets.
“Pets provide the non-complex, simple love, availability, and presence we live for,” Psychology Today notes. “Pets aren't cognitively complex; they have their own minds but mainly live to connect and be present with us. Our obsession with pets reveals what we want most from human relationships: connection, attunement, and presence
Making Sense of the Jungle: Understanding Payout Rates and Winning Strategies
It’s important to remember that the casino or online operator always has an edge when it comes to playing slots. Animal slots can certainly be fun but should be treated as entertainment. Here are a few key concepts to remember.
RTP – This stands for “return to player” and can tell players how much money is given back to slot players in a certain game, at a casino, or by stakes or region. RTP is often available online or at slot manufacturers' websites. The higher the RTP, the better a chance a player has to win.
Progressive slots – Some animal slots feature these larger jackpots. Progressive games are all linked together and take a small portion out of each spin across an area or region. This allows for some massive payouts that slot fans dream of and may see in the news. Read more about how to play progressive slots.
Slot myths – Here’s a look at a few myths:
A slot is “due” to pay out – Modern slots use a random number generator (RNG) to determine all winning spins no matter how long it has taken a game to pay out or how soon the game paid out.
Slots have hot and cold streams – Slot payouts are solely determined by the game’s RNG.
Slots are “rigged” – This is also false as slot payouts are determined only by the RNG. Casinos or online operators have no incentive to rig games. They face many gaming regulations and could lose their license and also earn a terrible reputation.
Responsible Gaming and Animal-Themed Slots
No matter a player’s slot preference, it’s important to remember some key tenets of responsible gaming. Play within your means and only use funds that you can afford to lose. Slot play should be seen as entertainment and don’t use funds that you need for bills or other responsibilities.
Set aside a certain bankroll when heading to a casino and don’t go over that. When you hit a losing streak, take a break for a bit. Those who think they have real gambling problems can seek professional help. Many countries offer free counseling through gaming regulators and other bodies.
Players can also temporarily “self-exclude” from live and online gaming to protect themselves as well. Those who think they have a problem may want to visit theCenter for Problem Gambling.
The Evolution and Future Trends of Animal-Themed Slots
As slot manufacturers up their game, look for even more animal-themed games. The interest in pets and animals, both real and imaginary, shows no signs of slowing down. Manufacturers continue to add to the realism and narrative elements involved with these games.
As games revolving around film and television become more popular, look for games that continue to complement this trend. Sound effects will also continue to improve, which could improve these types of games even more. Slots have come a long way and that includes animal-themed games.
Conclusion
Games featuring animals are a natural fit in the world of slots and attract millions of players each year around the world. These games run the gamut from pets and farm animals to jungle creatures and mythical beasts.
Slot manufacturers continue offering animal slots of all types and modern technology is only making these games better. There is something for every type of animal lover.
Some animal slots allow for some real escapism to locations and worlds they might never experience. Narrative storytelling is also being incorporated more and more into animal slots as well, allowing for a more immersive experience for players.
Many animal-themed slots can be found on Jackpot Party, where players don’t have to be worried about losing money like in a real-money casino. Players can test out the games via the Jackpot Party app or on a web browser with no download required. Whether you’re interested in cats, dogs, lions, or mythological beasts, there is an animal slot for every interest.
Unleashing the Beast: Fun Facts and Trivia
Now that you may know all about the world of animal-themed slots, here are some fun facts and trivia about a few of these games.
The United Kingdom’s Jon Heywood won the largest online slot jackpot in history in 2015. On a game called Mega Moolah, he cashed in for more than $20 million. The game features lions, monkeys, giraffes, gazelles, elephants, and more.
The Sabertooth slot offers a real look at extinct animals including mammoths, giant rhinos, and, of course, sabertooth cats. An actual hornless giant rhinoceros could be found in Europe and Asia from 20 million to 35 million years ago. The animal was 25 feet long and weighed 15 to 20 tons. Mammoths lived from 4 million years ago to about 4,000 years ago and could be found in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. These creatures could reach as tall as 13 feet at the shoulder and weigh as much as 13 tons. Sabertooth cats lived in the Americas 10,000 to 2.5 million years ago. These measured more than 5 feet in length and could weigh up to 750 pounds.
The Cheshire Cat slot offers a bit of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland fun. The character was created by author Lewis Carroll in the original 1865, but the phrase “grinning like a Cheshire cat” dates back to the 18th Century. Through the years the animal has been voiced by numerous actors from Whoopi Goldberg to Telly Savalas. One has to wonder what Carroll might think of seeing his character on a slot machine.
BEST ANIMAL-THEMED SLOTS
