For cats, shop a wide selection of essentials including cat scratchers, cat litter, collars and more. For your dog, find everything from dog tags and collars to beds and gates, bark control and everything in between. High quality foods are available for nearly all pet types whether you have a dog, cat, reptile, fish, small animal or feathered friend. In June, monarch butterflies begin passing through NYC again on their migration back north.Petco pet stores in Staten Island, NY offer a wide selection of top quality products to meet the needs of a variety of pets. Some speculate that the butterflies rely on the earth’s magnetic field for guidance, while others believe that the directions are embedded into the monarch’s genetic code. How monarchs are able to navigate their way across unfamiliar terrain is unknown. They can also be seen stopping in our butterfly gardens to rest and refuel during their travels. They can travel up to 50 miles a day, and some journeys reach up to 3,000 miles in total! Migrating monarchs can be observed along the city’s beaches and coastal parks. Their winter migration usually begins in September. Every year, first generation monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles south for the winter. This is followed by the third stage, when the caterpillar enters a chrysalis and transforms into the iconic black and orange butterfly. They hatch from eggs into hungry caterpillars. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) have a four-stage life cycle. In the interest of preserving mallards’ overall well-being, it is very important that New Yorkers avoid feeding them. Feeding can also promote water pollution and disease in waterfowl populations. These handouts can displace healthy foods that the mallards naturally eat and cause them to become malnourished. Food items commonly given to mallards, like bread and corn, are low in necessary nutrients. Mallards have adaptable diets, and do not need food handouts. Females, called hens, are a mottled brown color throughout, with an orange bill that is sometimes speckled with black. These bright, varied colors help them attract females. Male mallards, called drakes, sport trademark metallic green heads, yellow, black-tipped bills, brown chests, and gray bodies. Though they are generally migratory, urban mallards will stay in the city all year due to the abundance of food sources in New York City, as well as the relatively warmer winters compared to areas further north. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are the most abundant and widespread duck in both New York and North America. While visiting a park, you might expect to find squirrels, pigeons, butterflies, and even turtles, but did you know bald eagles, whales, herring, snakes, coyotes, and seals also live right here in New York City? Check out the wild animals of our urban jungle from the waters to the treetops and take the Wildlife Coexistence Pledge! The more information you can provide 311, the betterĪbandoned domesticated animals (dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, et cetera) should be brought to Animal Care & Control. If you see an injured animal, the best thing to do is leave the animal where it is, give it some distance, and call 311. We're excited to hear about your wildlife finds! Let us know who you encountered on your adventure in the park. Most of NYC’s wildlife is not dangerous however, maintaining a safe distance is the best way to protect your safety and the safety of our wild neighbors. Please remember that young animals often look as if they have been abandoned, when in fact their parents are nearby. Join an upcoming Wildlife event What to Do When Encountering Wildlife Learn all about their life here in the Big Apple and how we can coexist with them. Our Urban Park Rangers, Parks' Wildlife Unit, and friends lead wildlife-viewing programs across NYC.