MEET THE
ANIMALS
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ANIMALS
Long Island Game Farm is home to many exciting, exotic, and local species. A critical aspect of the game farm is serving as a sanctuary to animals that have been rescued, rehabilitated, or re-homed, including Sicilian miniature donkeys, alpacas, African Sulcatta tortoises, peacocks, rabbits, goats, sheep, alligators, our beloved Gomez, a sulphur-crested cockatoo, and Nala, an African Serval cat!
Learn more about these animals below.
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Meet Nala! Nala is a female African Serval that was born in 2018. She was raised as a house cat, but her original owners soon realized what a handful she could be. Luckily, she was rehomed at the Long Island Game Farm, where she can now return to the wild. Due to their size (serval cats weigh from 19 to 40 pounds), and intelligent servals don’t make great house pets, but here at the farm, Nala is thriving!
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Alpacas are like the fluffy superstars of the animal kingdom! With their big, expressive eyes and adorable faces, it’s hard not to fall in love at first sight. These social little dynamos are often found hanging out in cozy herds, gossiping and nibbling on their favorite grasses. Imagine a bunch of alpacas having a casual chat—it's a picture of pure joy! They come in a rainbow of colors, from snowy white to deep chocolate brown, and their fleece feels like a gentle cloud. Talk about a fabulous fashion statement!
And let’s not forget about their iconic hairstyles! Alpacas sport fluffy "dos" that look straight off a runway, and their fleece is prized for being incredibly soft and warm—perfect for crafting cozy sweaters and snuggly blankets. Whether they're prancing around the field or giving you a curious look, alpacas have a way of bringing smiles to everyone around them. When you meet our charming alpacas, prepare for cuteness overload! Whether they're humming softly to each other or striking a pose for photos, alpacas are always ready to bring a little fun and a lot of fluff into your day!
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Bison, affectionately called buffalo, used to roam freely across the American prairie but can now mainly be found in national parks in the U.S. and Canada. These magnificent animals are covered in long, shaggy hair that keeps them cozy during chilly winters. With impressive horns that can stretch up to 35 inches, a full-grown bull can measure up to 12-1/2 feet long and weigh between 1,600 and 2,000 pounds, standing around 6 feet tall at the shoulders!
As gentle grazers, bison love munching on grasses, and they play an important role in their ecosystem. Their wallows provide water for other animals, and their dung helps enrich the soil. Typically, bison live in small family groups that form based on sex and age, with the older, dominant males having more breeding opportunities. They’re not just great at grazing; these strong animals can also run up to 38 miles per hour and are talented swimmers. Isn’t that amazing?
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Chickens are friendly domestic birds that can’t fly, and there are over 150 different breeds, each with its own unique shape, size, and color! The roosters, which are the males, tend to be larger and more colorful than the hens, the females. Roosters are known for their loud crowing, especially in the morning, which helps them establish their territory.
These birds are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet that includes seeds, herbs, insects, and sometimes even small mammals. In a flock, they have a social structure known as a ‘pecking order’ to determine who gets to eat and nest first. They all work together to take care of their eggs and adorable little chicks. Young roosters often court hens by clucking sweetly and offering them tasty treats, which can lead to mating when the hens respond to their charming calls! Chickens really are fascinating and social creatures!
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Did you know that camels were domesticated thousands of years ago by perfume traders? They've since become beloved companions in desert regions, providing transport, shade, milk, meat, wool, and hides. Even today, you can find these amazing animals in parts of Africa and Asia, helping with ploughing and carrying goods along routes that aren't accessible by cars.
A fully grown camel can weigh over 1,500 pounds and stand as tall as six feet! While they might have a reputation for being grumpy, camels are actually quite gentle, patient, and intelligent. Their furry ears help protect them from dust and wind, and they have thick eyebrows and long eyelashes for extra protection.
These incredible animals can go a long time without water, especially if they have a moisture-rich diet. And when they do drink, they can gulp down an astonishing 21 gallons in just 10 minutes! Contrary to what many believe, camels don’t store water in their humps; instead, that hump is filled with fatty tissue, which gives them energy when food is scarce. On average, camels live around 40 years, with many retiring from work around 25 years.
If you're looking for a fun experience, head to the Long Island Game Farm this summer to meet their friendly camels! You can feed them healthy snacks, snap some great photos, and learn cool facts from the Animal Education staff about these fascinating “ships of the desert.” It’s sure to be a memorable adventure!
*Please note: As our Summertime animals do not arrive until the weather gets warmer, our Camel Encounter is only available starting in Mid-May. To find out whether the camels are at LIGF, please check our daily schedule prior to visiting.
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Lilly and Dilly came to us in the Spring of 2024 from a farm on Long Island.
Capybaras are fascinating creatures known for their gentle demeanor and social nature. As the largest rodents in the world, they can weigh up to 150 pounds and are often seen lounging in groups near water bodies. Their friendly disposition makes them wonderful companions in animal encounters, where guests can appreciate their calmness and unique personalities. Capybaras thrive in social settings and often engage with other animals, which adds to their charm and popularity. With their endearing appearance and serene behavior, these remarkable animals truly capture the hearts of everyone who meets them.
Lily and Dilly are sweet and calm creatures and are wonderful animal ambassadors for our farm.
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Meet the fabulous Fallow Deer, the stylish ruminant with a brown coat adorned with white spots, especially striking in summer! These majestic creatures can grow over 4 feet long, weighing up to 220 pounds, and sport broad, shovel-like antlers.
Fallow deer prefer mixed woodlands and grasslands, with males keeping to themselves until the annual rut at the end of October—talk about a selective social life!
Originally spread across central Europe and Britain by the Romans, these deer became hunting favorites for the Normans. Since the 18th century, they’ve been released into the wild for sport and are often seen semi-domesticated in parks like Long Island Game Farm. So, when you spot one of these charming deer, you know you’re looking at the fashionistas of the forest!
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Red foxes are like the clever little magicians of the animal kingdom, able to make meals out of anything from tiny voles to picnic leftovers. These crafty critters have mastered city living, often spotted trotting through neighborhoods and parks.
Forget texting! They communicate with a mix of barks, howls, and screams, creating their own furry group chat. With their fluffy tails and striking red coats, red foxes are nature’s fashion icons and can blend into their surroundings like sneaky little ninjas. Why aren’t our foxes red? Foxes come in many colors from classic orangey red to brown, grey, black and even rarely white!
In winter, they showcase their playful side with a fabulous fur makeover, leaping through snow like furry little winter athletes ready to take on the cold!
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Meet Shaggy, Penelope, Dominick, and Freckles, our delightful Mini Sicilian Donkeys! Rescued from Pennsylvania, each has a unique personality and has found a forever home filled with love. They can be kept as pets or farm helpers and are remarkable for their sure-footedness, making them great companions for exploring trails and even mountainsides!
Donkeys, often affectionately called the “helping hooves” of humankind, have their roots in the warm deserts of northern Africa and lower Egypt. They made their way to the Americas during Columbus’s second voyage and have been beloved working companions for thousands of years! From carrying silk along the Silk Road to helping out in vineyards in Greece and serving as pack animals in northern Europe, they have quite the history.
These charming creatures come in various sizes, from the adorable Miniature Mediterranean, standing under 36 inches tall, to the big Mammoth Jackstock, which can reach over 63 inches! On average, they live about 25 years and weigh between 280 and 1,060 pounds, sporting beautiful coats in colors like grey, brown, and black.
Donkeys are herbivores, munching on grasses and shrubs, and they really enjoy eating small amounts throughout the day. They are social animals that love being in herds, which makes them fantastic guardians for livestock, especially against predators like dogs.
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Our two special sister emus, Banana and Shelly, were lovingly hand-raised by caretakers after facing some physical challenges, while their siblings were sent to another zoo. Thanks to the fun “spokes Emu” for Liberty Mutual Insurance, everyone is learning just how amazing these birds are!
The Emu is Australia’s largest bird and the second-largest bird in the world after the ostrich! Standing tall at six feet and weighing around 120 pounds, these fascinating, flightless birds are known for their incredible running speed—reaching up to 30 miles per hour! With strong legs and unique calf muscles, they can even jump an impressive seven feet in the air!
Emus love to roam the grassy plains of Australia and travel in migratory flocks, heading north in the summer and south in the winter. They enjoy a varied diet of caterpillars, grasshoppers, and different plants depending on the season.
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Goats are the quirky, horned cousins of sheep! These fun-loving mammals come in various breeds across the U.S., Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and even places like the UK and Switzerland. Each goat has its unique style with different hair lengths and ear shapes. Buck goats (the boys) sport beards and are called billys, while the girls are known as does or nannies, and their adorable little ones are called kids!
These herbivores are nature's foragers, munching on leaves, fruits, and even tree bark—though they’re not interested in anything as strange as tin cans! They have a fascinating habit of chewing their food twice, thanks to a process called cud-chewing. Unlike their woolly friends, goats can thrive in the wild and can sometimes be found in herds of up to 500! With a lifespan of 12 to 22 years, they bring joy to farms and wild areas alike, alongside their wild cousins like the ibex and markhor. Goats are truly a delightful addition to the animal kingdom!
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Llamas are the fabulous divas of the South American animal kingdom! These charming creatures may be related to camels, but they’re smaller, much fluffier, and don’t come with a hump. They love to travel in stylish flocks and can carry your picnic supplies up to 20 miles—talk about a reliable friend!
With elegant wool in shades of black, white, brown, and gray, llamas strut their stuff like supermodels on a runway. They’re gentle, curious, and oh-so-graceful, boasting long necks and those adorable "banana" shaped ears. Male llamas are bulls, females are cows, and the babies? Well, they’re the cutest little calves you’ll ever see!
These lovely llamas can live between 15 to 30 years, weigh 280 to 450 pounds, and stand anywhere from 5.5 to 6 feet tall. As herbivores, their idea of a gourmet meal is grass and ferns, which they chew like they’re savoring the finest cuisine.
Once prized for their strength and wool, llamas are now making a splash in North America as fashionable wool producers and brave guardians of sheep herds, defending them from pesky coyotes. With their camel-like skulls and styled-to-perfection long ears, llamas are real trendsetters.
But beware! If they’re not in the mood, they might greet you with a dramatic spit and a clucking sound—like a diva backstage at a concert! All in all, llamas are not just adorable; they’re a whole personality wrapped in fur!
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Meet the amazing black-and-white-ruffed lemurs, the tree-hopping, fruit-loving acrobats of the animal kingdom! These lively critters are full of energy during the day and live in playful family groups where the ladies take charge. Ranging from two to 16 members, their social circle is always changing, making each day an adventure!
At about the size of a large house cat, these furry wonders flaunt their thick, stylish coats, which flaunt a fantastic mix of black and white. Not only do they look fabulous, but they’re also superb climbers, swinging through the treetops like furry gymnasts in search of tasty snacks.
Ruffed lemurs adore fruit but aren’t picky eaters—they’ll happily munch on nectar, leaves, and even fungi! If a treat is just out of reach, they'll dangle from their limbs for that ultimate snack victory! When it comes to motherhood, ruffed lemur moms are the epitome of multitasking, carrying their little ones one by one in their mouths to keep them safe.
These creatures combine style, skill, and a whole lot of personality, making them one of nature's most delightful stars!
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Madagascar hissing cockroaches are the rock stars of the insect world! Picture this: a four-inch-long, shiny black bug that can produce a loud hiss—like a tiny dinosaur! They use this impressive sound to communicate, letting potential mates know they're on the market, scaring off threats, or just making a fun bit of noise to show off. Imagine a cockroach strutting around, hissing like it owns the place—that’s the Madagascar hissing cockroach for you!
These quirky critters are also nature’s clean-up crew, munching away on decaying leaves and wood. They help break down organic matter and return nutrients to the soil, proving that even the smallest creatures play a big role in their ecosystem. Plus, they can go for months without food and a week without water, making them the ultimate survivor! With their friendly demeanor, they’ve also become popular pets. Whether you’re hosting a bug party or just want to learn more about these remarkable hissing beauties, Madagascar hissing cockroaches promise a fun and fascinating adventure!
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Parrots are the colorful clowns of the bird world, with over 350 fabulous species strutting their stuff! From the dazzling macaws to the charming cockatiels and cheeky lovebirds, these feathered friends can be found partying in warm spots all around the globe—think Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and even the southern U.S.!
With their curved beaks and funky zygodactyl feet (that’s just a fancy way of saying they have two toes facing forward and two backward), parrots are hard to miss. The Blue-and-yellow Macaw steals the show with its vibrant blue wings, golden-yellow underside, and a splash of green on its forehead. These showstoppers can reach up to 34 inches in length and weigh a solid three pounds!
When it comes to munchies, parrots dine like kings, feasting on nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally nibbling on some flowers or bugs. In the wild, they can live up to a whopping 80 years—talk about a long-lived party animal! And let’s not forget their star talent: talking! While they can't form full sentences like us, parrots are expert mimics, using their vocal skills to chat and keep tabs on their friends in the flock. So, let’s give a squawk for these incredible feathered companions!
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Did you know that “peacock” actually refers only to the dazzling males of the species, while the ladies are called peahens? These colorful birds stand three to four feet tall, with their spectacular tail feathers stretching up to five feet long!
Adorned with vibrant blue, gold, and red “eye markings,” peacocks are nature's runway models, creating stunning displays. As “ground-feeders,” they snack on insects and plants, making them quite the health-conscious eaters.
Found in places like India and Sri Lanka, peacocks can be a bit snobbish around other birds but have captivated humans for centuries as delightful pets. So, if you encounter one, you're in the presence of a true nature superstar!
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Let’s have some fun with pigs!
Pigs, part of the Suidae family, are adorable, intelligent animals with large heads and snouts. Male pigs are called boars, females are sows, and their little ones are piglets. Having existed for 40 million years, they were domesticated about 6,000 years ago in China and made their way to the Americas in 1539 thanks to Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.
These clever critters can grow to be three to five feet long and weigh up to 400 pounds! They’re known for their impressive smarts, able to learn tricks and even sniff out land mines. Communication is their jam; they grunt and squeal, and despite being seen as dirty, pigs actually love to stay clean. Those mud baths? Just a fun way to cool off!
Pigs truly add a splash of joy to life!
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Ponies are the adorable, pint-sized cousins of horses, boasting fluffy manes and wide, charming faces. While they might be shorter, they’re full of personality and have a calmer demeanor, making them perfect for fun activities like pony rides!
As happy herbivores, they munch on grass and other tasty greens, using their sensitive noses to sniff out the best bites. With amazing eyesight that allows them to see over 350 degrees around them, they can spot everything happening nearby, day or night.
Plus, their super cool ears can swivel a full 180 degrees, letting them hear everything without even moving their heads! In a nutshell, ponies are delightful bundles of joy, ready for adventures and fun!
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Rabbits are adorable little furballs famous for their long ears and fluffy tails! Originally hailing from Europe and Africa, these hopping cuties have made their way across North and South America and even into some desert hideaways in the Middle East. With over 50 different species to choose from, rabbits come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from eight to 20 inches long and weighing up to 6.6 pounds.
These herbivorous munchers love to snack on grass, nuts, berries, and even the occasional fruity treat! To keep their food stash safe, they dig cozy burrows where they can also play hide-and-seek from sneaky predators like dogs, cats, and foxes. Plus, burrows are the perfect spot for bringing adorable baby bunnies into the world!
Grass isn't just a tasty treat; it's a tooth-friendly food! Rabbit teeth grow endlessly, so gnawing on grass helps keep them in check. While kids adore these gentle creatures, many gardeners and farmers have a love-hate relationship with them because of the mischief they get into with crops. But who can resist those big, twitchy noses and fluffy tails? Rabbits truly are nature’s playful charmers!
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Meet the American Blackbelly sheep, the standout stars of the sheep world! With their unique badger-faced look and striking black facial bars, they combine traits from Barbados Blackbelly, Mouflon, and Rambouillet sheep.
Standing 24 to 32 inches tall, these small to medium-sized sheep have muscular necks and legs, with rams showcasing impressive curling horns up to 30 inches. Ewes are smaller, averaging around 90 pounds, while rams weigh about 125 pounds.
Their sleek, short coats and large, almond-shaped brown eyes give them a wise appearance, accentuated by elegant black markings on their faces and ears. Grazing on grass, branches, or shrubs, they prefer light, lush meals.
These adaptable sheep typically live around 13 years, bringing charm and personality wherever they go. Next time you see one, appreciate the unique beauty and character behind that striking exterior!
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Zebras are one of the most recognizable animals in the African savannah, thanks to their striking black-and-white stripes. But did you know that no two zebras have the same stripe pattern? It’s true! Just like human fingerprints, their unique patterns help them recognize each other and bond as social creatures. These stripes also serve a purpose in the wild, confusing predators and helping to regulate body temperature.
Habitat and Lifestyle
Zebras typically roam the grasslands and savannas of Africa, living in herds that can range from a few individuals to several hundred. They are herbivores, munching on grasses and leaves, which makes them an essential part of their ecosystem. Their grazing habits help maintain the balance of plant life, allowing other species to thrive as well.Social Creatures
Zebras are known for their strong social bonds. They often engage in mutual grooming, which helps to strengthen relationships within the group. A fun fact: zebras will even stand together in a circle to protect their young from predators! So next time you see a zebra, remember that these beautiful animals are not just about their looks; they play a vital role in their environment and have a rich social life too.
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Wallabies are the adorable little cousins of kangaroos, hopping around Australia and its nearby islands like they own the place! While most of these furry friends are pint-sized, some can leap up to an impressive two meters long—now that's some serious bounce! Their strong hind legs are perfect for zipping through the bush, soaring over obstacles, and delivering some kickin' moves when danger strikes!
And let’s not forget their super-tail! It's not just for show; it’s the ultimate balance buddy, helping them stay steady while they bounce.
As herbivores, wallabies have a deliciously green diet, munching on grasses and plants like true veggie enthusiasts. Their long faces give them plenty of jaw room for their big, flat teeth, making eating a breeze. So next time you see a wallaby, just remember: they're not just hopping around—they're on a mission to snack their way through the wild!