We got the beasts

Rhinoceros iguana, American Museum of Natural History

Photograph: © R. Mickens/AMNH

Scaly and slithery

Lizards and snakes, American Museum of Natural History
Reptile lovers are jumping out of their skin in excitement over the new “Lizards and Snakes: Alive!” exhibit. Taking up temporary residence in the museum are a squirming Burmese python (at 14 feet long, it’s the largest creature in the exhibit), a gila monster, a water monitor, a red spitting cobra, iguanas and 60 other species. Sorry, kids, but they’re all safely behind glass.

Koi fish, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Japanese garden’s pond contains hundreds of koi, or ornamental carp. Related to the goldfish found in home aquariums, carp grow to be much larger (up to three feet long). Some visitors toss bread crumbs in the pond to get a better look at the brightly-hued fish, but this actually pollutes their home. Tell your tot not to worry: The carp get plenty to eat.

Turtles, Turtle Pond in Central Park
Swimming turtles are like nature’s submarines, with only their heads periscoping up to ogle the crowds ogling them from the shore. The pond at the base of Belvedere Castle features a sandy island at its center named for the turtles that nest and lay eggs there. This summer, your kids may see red-eared sliders, Eastern and Western painted turtles, snapping turtles and Florida cooters. Midpark between 79th and 80th Sts (212-310-6600). Subway: B, C to 81st St–Museum of Natural History; 6 to 77th St.

Secret aquariums
Over a thousand fish live in an indoor aquarium under the Plexiglas floor at Brighton Beach’s Tatiana Grill, a Russian-American eatery. 3152 Brighton 6th St, Brighton Beach, Brooklyn (718-891-5151, tatianagrill.com). Subway: B, Q to Brighton Beach.
• Pop into midtown’s Dream Hotel to gape at its two-story, 6,000-gallon saltwater tank; see if you can spot clown fish, puffer fish, lionfish and lookdowns. 210 W 55th St between Seventh Ave and Broadway (212-247-2000, dreamny.com). Subway: B, D, E to Seventh Ave.
• The lobby of David Rockwell’s eco-friendly Riverhouse condominium in Battery Park City has two breathtaking wall-size saltwater tanks—one holds 900 gallons, the other 600—filled with tropical fish, live coral and other creatures. 1 River Terr at Murray St (212-587-1200, the-riverhouse.com). Subway: 1, 2, 3 to Chambers St. • Ever since Staten Island’s St. George Ferry Terminal reopened in February, commuters have been enjoying its two eight-foot-high, 1,600-gallon tanks, each containing about 200 tropical fish. From the Staten Island Ferry, step into the St. George Terminal.

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