Springtime means baby animals, and if you need your fill of cuteness, check out some of these Long Island farms and nature preserves that care for baby animals. Be sure to check first with the staff or volunteers to find out if you can pet or feed the baby animals, as some may be on a strict diet. Take a ride out to any of these locations and let these adorable critters warm your heart!
Sweet Briar Nature Center in Smithtown rehabilitates numerous native wild critters, including bunnies, ducks, birds of prey, turtles, and more. Every spring brings an influx of babies that need to be cared for until they are old enough to be released into the wild. For added springtime fun, check out the new beehive that is all abuzz as these pollinators work their magic. Admission to Sweet Briar is free.
Take a stroll around Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve in Commack that is home to many goats and sheep, so chances are you’ll be able to see some cute lambs and kids (baby goats). There are also many different kinds of chickens on the farm, so you may catch a peek at some chicks. The pond at Hoyt Farm is also home to many different kinds of fish and turtles that will surface for you to see.
Holtsville Wildlife and Ecology Center has the typical baby goats and sheep, and you can even see spring come to life through the wild animals that fly through the exhibits. Though many of the creatures here are not babies, you can’t say no to stopping by the black bear exhibit and saying hi to the bobcats.
Benner’s Farm in East Setauket is a prime springtime baby location - there are ducklings, chicks, baby bunnies, and baby goats galore at Benner’s this time in the season, and your kids can pet them and even hold them.
Cornell Co-op in Yaphank has a menagerie of farm animals, from chickens, goats, pigs, and cows to llamas and alpacas. If you are lucky, you may even get to see animals just minutes after they were born!