Opened in 1970, the Long Island Game Farm has become a childhood ritual for generations of kids who grew up on Long Island. Whether it was a family fun day, a school field trip or your first zoo adventure, people have many fond memories of Long Island’s own zooilogical adventure place.
Below we have gathered some fun and interesting facts about the Long Island Game farm. Scroll to the end to see three historic photos from their website.
Photo: Long Island Game Farm Facebook page.
- The Long Island Game Farm first opened in 1970
- It’s located on 25 acres of land off exit 70 on the LIE in Manorville
- Stanley and Diane Novak built the farm after being inspired by the Catskill Game Farm in upstate New York
- The Novak family still runs the farm as they have for over 50 years
- The farm dates back to 1900
- Admission in 1970 was $2 for adults, $1.50 for children
Photo: Long Island Game Farm Facebook page.
- Their ZooMobile, a mobile petting zoo, can come to you so you can book it for a party or gathering.
- Animals on the ZooMobile include Suzie, the Wallaby, Barney, the Prairie Dog, Gabriella, the Giant Flemish Rabbit, Speedy, and the Sulcata Tortoise
- Like many grandparents, some of the animals are “snow birds” and spend the winter in Florida
- There are about 200 animals on the game farm including buffalo, ostrich, emu, deer, wallabies, zebras, lemurs, and a giraffe
Photo: Long Island Game Farm Facebook page.
Fun Animal Facts by LI Game Farm
- Baby goats communicate with each other by bleating. Mothers will often call their babies to ensure they stay close-by
- The game farm has white deer. The majority of deer are shades of light to medium brown. White stags are often described in myths, but they also exist in real life! White stags are rare and gorgeous
- Young wallabies are known as ‘joeys’ like many other marsupials. Adult male wallabies are referred to as ‘bucks’ ‘boomers’ or ‘jacks.’ An adult female wallaby is known as a ‘doe’ ‘flyer’ or ‘jill’ Lastly, a group of wallabies is called a ‘court’ ‘mob’ or ‘troupe’
Photo: Long Island Game Farm Facebook page.
- Zebras are part of African Equids and are a member of the horse family. They can also survive in various habitats such as grasslands, thorny scrublands, and mountains
- Goats are herbivores and they enjoy eating leaves, fruit, and the bark of small trees! Unlike sheep, goats can adapt to a feral or wild environment, even if it has been domesticated
- There are over 1 billion sheep in the world
- An alligator will have a rounded and wide snout whereas a crocodile will have a pointed and narrow snout
- Culturally, the word “peacock” is used to reference both the male and female species. However, technically, the peacock is used to only describe the male species, while females are known as peahens
- Ostriches are able to run up to 43 miles per hour, while their legs cover 10 to 16 feet in one solitary stride
Long Island Game Farm – March 1970. Photo: Long Island Game Farm web page.
Novak Family Home when the Game Farm opened. It is used today as the Administrative Office. Photo: Long Island Game Farm web page.
Barn on the Game Farm. No date. Photo: Long Island Game Farm web page.
While the Long Island Game Farm is under quarantine, they can use your help! If you want to support the animals during this time here's a link to their gofundme page. And you can sponsor a personalized animal video messages by clicking here.
