Are you nurturing an animal obsession? Great. Since you don't live in the jungle, you're probably in the next best place in the world to convene with all your favorite species.
The Bronx Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Central Park Zoo, New York Aquarium, and Queens Zoo are all run by New York's Wildlife Conservation Society, who are on a clear mission to save wild life and wild places across the globe.
They protect gorillas in the Congo, tigers in India, whales, walruses, dolphins, seals, turtles, and manatees in the world's oceans, and wolverines in the Yellowstone Rockies.
And they manage five of New York City's parks, which together form the world's most comprehensive conservation organization.
These five parks see 4 million visitors annually, and educate millions every year on science and conservation issues.
Since there's been a recent movement to preserve the wildlife of our planet that started with a three hour film of 160 endangered species projected onto the Empire State Building, there really isn't a better time to visit your favorite creatures in the flesh (or, you know, gills).
And because all the cats and dogs scattered throughout NYC probably aren't satisfying your craving for diverse species, make sure you take a visit to all of the wildlife in NYC.
1. Prospect Park Zoo (450 Flatbush Avenue - Brooklyn)
There are almost 630 animals and more than 125 species living in the Prospect Park Zoo, which features five different animal exhibits. These include their Sea Lion Court, a Discovery Trail, a Hall of Animals, a Barn and Garden, and Animal Lifestyles.
Prospect Park Zoo also has summertime Public Programming, with guided tours, exhibit explorations, and Sea Lion Narration.
They're also highly engaged in restoration of endangered species populations, and they've got emus, California sea lions, dingos, and poison dart frogs.
Plus, the zoo has a 4-D wildlife theater and a butterfly garden. Which are both enough to get us amped. Buy your tickets online here.
2. Queens Zoo (53-51 111th Street - Queens)
thequeenszoo Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and visit our #Andean #bears! #QueensZoo Photo by Julie Larsen Maher©WCS
The Queens Zoo is an 18-acre zoo in Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, and it was the first zoo to be designed from the start in 1968 as a cageless zoo.
It's home to more than 75 species, and the only zoo in NYC with Andean bears. Their exhibits include Domestic Animals, an Aviary, a Waterfowl Marsh, a Sea Lion Pool, and an Animal Trail, and their animals include Bald Eagles, American Alligators, Thick-billed Parrots, Pumas, and Coyetes.
Plus, the world's tiniest deer was born at the Queens Zoo in May. He's a Southern Pudu Fawn, and he's way more than adorable. With the addition of the Queens Zoo's latest pudu, their exhibit has grown to three pudus.
This year was the third consecutive year a pudu was born at the Queens Zoo, so it's totally worth a visit. Admission tickets are $8, and you can get them here.
3. The Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd - the Bronx)
What's special about the Bronx Zoo? Hmmm. How about camel rides, penguin feedings, sea lion feedings, a wild Asia monorail, a butterfly garden, a congo gorilla forest, and a bug carousel?
That all sounds pretty special to us.
With 6,000 animals from 650 species throughout the world, the Bronx Zoo is among the largest metropolitan zoos in the world. It's 265 acres of park lands, and habitats engineered to mirror animals' natural homes.
Their animals include Asian elephants, anacondas, gorillas, grizzly bears, and Indian rhinoceros.
Get your tickets here.
4. Staten Island Zoo (614 Broadway - Staten Island)
The Staten Island Zoo is the smallest zoo in the five boroughs, but that doesn't make it any less awesome.
It has one of the country's most comprehensive and varied collections of reptiles, an aquarium, a tropical forest, an African Savannah, and a children's farmyard.
They've also got Lemur Leaf Frogs - one of the most endangered frogs in the world, ostriches, the world's largest bird, foxes, otters, birds of prey, and much more.
Admission to the Staten Island Zoo is free on Wednesdays after 2 p.m. and is otherwise $8 at the door.
,5. New York Aquarium (602 Surf Avenue - Brooklyn)
Swimming animals are animals too!
Located on the glorious boardwalk of Coney Island, the New York Aquarium is the perfect way to cool off and meet some awesome aquatic animals after your beach day. The New York Aquarium is home to 266 species of aquatic life.
They've got an aqua theater which features interactive shows with California sea lions, sea cliffs that walruses haul themselves upon to rest, playful sea otters, and penguins.
They also, of course, have sharks, rays, and turtles. Their Conservation Hall also features Glover's Reef, which displays a snorkler's view of colorful marine life.
Get your tickets here.
6. Central Park Zoo (East 64 Street and 5th Avenue)
This zoo is really, really, old, providing a home for animals since the 1860's. Today, they've got over 1,400 animals of more than 130 species. They've got a Polar Circle, zoo quests, snow leopards, and grizzly bears.
Their exhibits cover a range of climates, from the tropical rain forest to the chilly Antarctic penguin habitat. They've got tiny leafcutter ants and really adorable polar bear.
And at the Tisch Children's Zoo you get to get up close and personal with the cutest animals in the world. It's got the only cow in Manhattan, potbellied pigs, sheep, and goats, all of which are available for petting delight.
7. Queens County Farm Museum (73-50 Little Neck Parkway - Queens)
This historical museum has been around since 1697, and is located atop of NYC's largest plot of undisturbed farmland. It's also the only working historical farm in NYC. Its 47-acres are also the longest continuously farmed site in the State of New York.
So bring your history-buff-pals and farm-fascinated-pals to tour the Queens County Farm Museum's historic farm buildings, greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles, planting fields, orchard and herb garden.
They've got cattle, sheep, pigs, hens, goats, and honeybees. Whether you love animals or just want to escape the craziness of NYC's hustle, this serene farm will rock your world. And you don't even have to leave the city to visit.
The best part? General admission is free.
Check out 7 Gorgeous Places You Never Even Knew Existed in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy: Instagram]