The 2006 Central Park BioBlitz, an inventory of the park’s organisms, discovered 43 bird species, 117 invertebrates (including leeches, red mites and tadpole snails), nine reptiles and amphibians (bullfrog, snapping turtle), five species of freshwater fish (goldfish, koi, largemouth bass) and 11 species of mammals (humans, house cats, Norway rats).

Among the animals banned as pets in NYC: dingo, otter, skunk, badger, tiger, lion, leopard, puma, Burmese python, yellow anaconda, white-throated monitor, Komodo dragon, aardwolf and—sorry X-Men ans—wolverine.

It is said that when Henry Hudson discovered Manhattan in 1609, it was populated by black bears, wolves, elk and mountain lions.

The barnacle has the largest penis of any animal, relative to its size. It’s about ten times its body height. Barnacles (and their massive members) can be seen on all NYC bridges, and during low tide in the New York Harbor.

The Department of Health estimates that there are 500,000 dogs in New York City— that’s one dog for every 16 New Yorkers.