Fondly known as New York City?s ?biggest little zoo?, the Staten Island Zoo first opened its doors to the public in 1936 and gained accreditation in 1988 from the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.

Boasting of one of the world?s finest collection of reptiles, the Staten Island Zoo has an all-new interactive reptile wing and wherein visitors may dare themselves with close encounters with reptilian species in the Fear Zone. Another popular exhibit of the zoo is the African Savannah Exhibit, which boasts of meerkats, lizards, leopards, and mandrills among other species.

The zoo also has its own aquarium, tropical forest, and the Children?s Center, which is designed as a New England Farm and where children may enjoy petting and caring for farm animals.