5 Favorites at Central Park Zoo

When snow covers New York's Central Park, the outdoor exhibits at Central Park Zoo become even more special. They transform into winter landscapes from mountains in Central Asia to rocky coastline of California. Where else can you see and learn about animals from those habitats on a lazy Sunday afternoon?

1. Snow Leopards 

One mysterious mammal that I cannot even spot at Central Park Zoo sometimes is the snow leopard. Snow leopards live on the mountain ranges in Central Asia. So the snow leopard exhibit here at Central Park is built as hilly as possible. Some of them being born and raised at the zoo, the resident snow leopards sure know the best places to hide.

Snow Leopards (Uncia uncia) at Central Park Zoo

2. Snow Monkeys

Another mammal at Central Park Zoo with snow in the name is the Snow Monkey, also known as Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata). These are the rosy faced monkeys that are often look like they have been enjoying a hot spring for too long. Fun fact: the snow monkey habitat includes bathing hot tubs with water heated at 104 degree matching snow monkeys' body temperature.

Snow Monkeys at Central Park Zoo

Snow Monkeys aka Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

3. Grizzly Bears

Two relatively new comers to Central Park Zoo are Betty and Veronica. The two grizzly bears moved here from Bronx Zoo. They lived in the Bronx since the 1990s, when Wildlife Conservation Society adopted them after they were found exploring people's yards in Montana. In case you were wondering, Betty is the blonde one.

Betty and Veronica at Central Park

Betty and Veronica the Grizzly Bears at Central Park Zoo

4. Sea Lions

The only event at Central Park Zoo that draws a crowd and causes even passers-by from outside to pause and take a look three times a day is the sea lion feeding. There is a similar frenzy at the penguin feeding, but that happens behind closed doors.

5. Farm Animals

No visit to Central Park Zoo is complete without seeing the farm animals at Tisch Children's Zoo. Even in winter, the goats and sheep are always eager for some grains. Around them are less attention seeking critters like pigs and ducks.

• Central Park Zoo