Our research collections include specimens from each of the world’s oceans and all seven continents. Take a peek at some of our oldest, rarest, and most amazing finds.
The Etendeka round-eared sengi was recently discovered by the Academy's own Jack Dumbacher.
Hunting and habitat destruction quickly drove the passenger pigeon to extinction, but can we bring them back?
Atlas moths are famous for the markings on their wings that bear an uncanny resemblance to cobra heads.
Anglerfish live in the depths of the Pacific Ocean and use a phosphorescent bulb to attract prey.
Thought to now be extinct in the wild, the few Deppea splendens left are the legacy of Academy botanists.
Once one of the most common creatures in the Sea of Cortez, the gulf sun star is rarely seen today.
Monarch was one of the last Ursus arctos californicus, a now-extinct grizzly bear subspecies.
In 2014, the Academy's Dave Ebert added to his list of new-species discoveries with this deepwater sawshark.
This flowering palm is a plant kingdom record-holder, boasting the world's heaviest seeds.
The giant hawkmoth was discovered in 1882. Its existence, however, was predicted 20 years earlier.
Academy scientists added 213 new species to the tree of life this year. Meet some of the standouts, from dazzling nudibranchs to a "slingshot predator" preserved in amber.
This year’s closures are having a devastating effect on the Academy. But until Dec. 31, all gifts will be matched 5x, up to $200,000, to support our scientific research, education programs, and care and conservation of our animals.
Please help the Academy with a tax-deductible gift today.
This year’s closures are having a devastating effect on the Academy. But until Dec. 31, all gifts will be matched, up to $100,000, to support our scientific research, education programs, and care and conservation of our animals.
Please help the Academy with a tax-deductible gift today.
...but our penguins are still counting on you. Make a matched Giving Tuesday gift to support the care and conservation of the Academy’s animal residents.
All gifts up to $50,000 will be doubled to make twice the impact for our penguin colony — but only until midnight on December 1.
The Academy is open to the public. All guests must reserve tickets in advance.
Please do your part to keep our community safe. Failure to follow any health and safety rules, posted signage, or staff instructions may result in your removal from the museum:
Click the link below to view complete safety information and reserve timed-entry tickets. We hope to see you soon!
The health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority. As of November 29, the Academy is closed to the public until further notice in accordance with local and state public health guidelines. We hope to welcome you back soon.
![Coco de Mer By Didier Descouens (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://calacademy.org/sites/default/files/styles/manual_crop_square_460px/public/assets/images/KW_IMAGES_DO_NOT_USE/coco_de_mer_-_bot.2007.26.21.jpg?itok=LOMQLgYa&c=0b672f4fc775307c939e67b7b954d5bd)
