Staten Island Zoo - Staten Island, New York - zoo within Clarence T. Barrett Park

The Staten Island Zoological Society was formed in 1933 to create a zoo within the Clarence T. Barrett Park on Staten Island. The Staten Island Zoo opened in 1936, and was the first to have all 32 rattlesnake species found in the United States. In addition, in 1942, this zoo became the first to hire a woman as a full time veterinarian. Although the zoo initially opened to feature reptiles and amphibians, today, it is home to over 850 animals that represent over 200 different species of animals.

The Staten Island Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Some of the species they feature, along with rattlesnakes, include the amur leopard, the lady ross turaco, the leopard tortoise, the mandrill, the meerkat, the ring-tailed lemur, the rock hyrax, the serval, the superb starling, the red panda, and the North American river otter. They're also home to groundhogs, including the groundhog that officially serves as the Groundhog Day groundhog for the state of New York. The zoo is always evolving, and some of the newest exhibits include a jawfish aquarium, new tenred and spiny lizard exhibits in the African Savannah part of the zoo, and new bobcats. In addition, some new residents at the zoo include a reticulated python that measures 14 feet long, a great horned owl, and eight new meerkats. The zoo has also updated their leopard exhibit, making it larger for the cats that call it home.

The Staten Island Zoo focuses on education, and they have both outreach and in-house programs for children of all ages. There are classroom programs, options for schools that want to take a field trip to the zoo, and individual daily programs in which families can participate. In addition, there are a number of special events that take place at the zoo every year. During Good Grade week, children with an A on their report card can get into the zoo for free. The Film Fest at the zoo gives visitors the chance to view nature shows and environment-related movies during their visit, and the annual October Zoo Brew pairs an evening visit to the zoo with food, beer, and live music.

The zoo also has two annual events where guests can get involved with community service projects. The first is an annual beach clean up, where visitors can help staff members clean the small stretch of beach in front of the zoo's Conference House. They also have an Adopt-a-Soldier Day at the zoo every year, where they collect items to send to men and women in the military, and every child can get involved with sending a taste of home from the zoo by making a craft or writing a letter.

Admission to the Staten Island Zoo is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and $5 for children. Members and children under 3 years old are free, and parking is also free. The zoo has free admission for everyone on Wednesdays after 2:00 PM, and special prices apply during certain events at the zoo. The Staten Island Zoo is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM, and since many of the exhibits are indoors, guests can visit rain or shine. Visitors can call 718-442-3100 to learn more about the zoo.