I am wanting to make a 3D Noahs Ark cake and have never made any figures ever Any tips/ideas/tricks on making the animal figures? Thanks!

I used to make all the parts and hold them together with toothpicks, but now I've found using a wire form works best. I twist a couple of strands of florists wire together and get the basic shape of the person or animal. (Kind of like a stick figure.) Then cover with modelling chocolate. The wire base helps to shape or move the arms and legs in position. And the heads stay on better!
Here's an example:

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2080213

and, if you are anything like me with very hot hands, work in small portions and then chill them to keep them cold. Your warm hands can melt the chocolate and make working with it almost impossible!

Also, if you go on Youtube and type "how to - chocolate figurines/animals/people," etc....there is a wealth of tutorials on how to do almost anything! Can't wait to see how your Noah's Ark cake turns out! Be sure to post it!