We got the beasts

Napoleon and Josephine, Queens Zoo

Photograph: Suzanne Bolduc of the WCS

Odd and exotic

World’s smallest deer, Queens Zoo
The South American pudu stands only about a foot tall at the shoulder. No wonder zookeepers in Queens dubbed their male deer Napoleon. In January, he was joined by the aptly named Josephine, with the hope that the pair will produce teensy fawn heirs. If not, the critically endangered species may meet its Waterloo.

Lemurs, fossas and hissing cockroaches, Bronx Zoo
The famous Beaux Arts Lion House reopens on Thursday 19 with the new permanent exhibit “Madagascar.” Among the rare animals settling into the Bronx are 31 lemurs, representing four species (ring-tailed, brown-collared, red-ruffed and sikafa), two crocodiles, two fossas (a fierce cousin of the mongoose), Red Fody birds, tomato frogs, radiated tortoises and a wall of gleaming, mahogany-colored hissing cockroaches.

Mermaid, New York Aquarium
If you’ve got a fan of Princess Ariel at home, don’t miss Mermaids of the Deep, a celebration of the mythic sea creatures on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22. The highlight of the festival is a thrice-daily live mermaid swim, held in a tank in the aquarium’s outdoor plaza. Wearing a shell-bikini top and a remarkably lifelike tail, the “mermaid” will dive deep into the tank and wave to bewildered onlookers from behind the glass until she needs to pop back to the surface for air. After each 15-minute performance, she’ll be wheeled out for a meet-and-greet with visitors. Live mermaid swims are held between noon and 4pm.

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