A common theme throughout childhood, animals are part fascinating and part learning opportunity – and the best way to learn about them is by seeing them in real life. No need to travel around the globe to see interesting specimens – local community-based resources here in western Massachusetts present families with a wide array of animal-related adventures and offer lots of ways to learn about all sorts of creatures. No matter a child’s age or interest, local zoos, museums, aquariums, and farms can teach about everything from habitat and adaptations to biological classification and husbandry.