As a public museum, aquarium, and research institution, the Academy has the unique opportunity to raise awareness about biodiversity—and contribute to critical conservation efforts.

The Academy's Steinhart Aquarium has a long and successful history of participation in captive breeding programs. From colorful tanager hatchlings in the rainforest and charismatic penguins in African Hall, to graceful cephalopods never before bred in captivity, each has a fascinating story behind it.

1/24 update: Penguin chick Stanlee joins our African penguin colony! Hatched in-house in November, she's the latest (and cutest) breeding program success story.  

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Flamboyant cuttlefish displays its magenta and yellow arms on the seafloor
Flamboyant Cuttlefish

One of our most captivating creatures, this unique invertebrate displays mesmerizing colors and patterns.

African penguin chick Stanlee eats herring as biologist Amy Walters looks on.
African Penguins

Endangered African penguins are one of the Academy's most successful breeding programs.

Lake Oku Clawed Frog on exhibit; Photo © California Academy of Sciences
Lake Oku Clawed Frogs

The Academy is studying the life cycle of this rare amphibian, which lives in only one place—a mountaintop lake.

Photo: Richard Ross, California Academy of Sciences
Dwarf Cuttlefish

Dwarf cuttlefish are highly intelligent cephalopods with unique color-changing abilities and hunting prowess.