Staten Island Zoo552

This small, mostly indoor, zoo, has a lot to recommend it, and it's a terrific place to commune with the animals.

The Zoo's African Savannah houses animals native to the vast grasslands of central and southern Africa as well as leopards from Asia and lemurs from Madagascar.

The Ralph J. Lamberti Tropical Forest, a multi-million dollar representation of an endangered South American tropical forest, includes both flora and fauna as well as a bug hut which houses numerous varieties of invertebrates found in different habitats around the world.

The NY State Senator John J. Marchi Aquarium is a wrap-around aquatic experience with marine life, from shrimp to sharks, from all over the world.

The newly renovated Reptile Wing, a state-of-the art facility housing a diverse collection of reptiles and amphibians, boasts a "Fear Zone" where visitors can learn the truth about venomous animals - and the myths - to gain a healthy respect for the often misunderstood creatures.

The mostly outdoor Children's Center, with its farm setting, overlooks a duck pond. Kids' Korral visitors can feed and interact with baby goats. The Barn is home to miniature donkeys and the Zoo's popular Clydesdale horses. A pony ring (rides are available, weather permitting, from mid March through November, for an additional fee) and a visit with domestic farm animals are an integral part of the zoo experience, especially for younger children. This is a seasonal exhibit; look for goats and Alpacas in the spring.

Birthday Parties at the Staten Island Zoo are designed for children who are turning four years of age and older, with a maximum group size of 15 children and four adults. Along with your human guests, two to three live animals are also invited into the party room.

Each party lasts an hour and a half (two hours if food is served) and includes an instructor, live animal demonstration, game or story, and animal craft. Each participant receives a goodie bag to take home. In addition, birthday invitations are provided for distribution to guests. The Zoo can include pizza, ice cream cake, juice, and paper goods, or or have it catered through the Zoo café on site. Prices range from $250 (members, without food) to $400 (non-members, with food). When guests leave they are given a package of Rye Krisp to feed to the animals in the Children's Center.

"Zoofari" summer camp sessions each last a week and focus on a particular theme. Camp runs from 9am-12n for grades Pre-K to 3, and 9am-3pm for grades 4-6. Grades 4,5, and 6 also go on a field trip, off zoo grounds, one day during their session.

Family Membership, for parents or grandparents and household children under the age of 14, is $75 and includes free admission to the Staten Island Zoo free admission to more than 100 other zoos, members-only programs and special events, birthday party opportunities for children ages four to 12, a sneak preview of new exhibits, advance notice and discounts on programs, a Zoo calendar, and a 10% discount at the Zoovenir shop, in addition to a tax deduction.