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, Academy researcher Dave Ebert added this deepwater sawshark to his list of new species discoveries.
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.
Proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of a scheduled museum visit is now required for all Academy guests ages 12+, along with photo ID for guests ages 18+. Masks are required indoors for all guests ages 2+. Thank you for your understanding and support—and for helping to keep our community safe.
![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)
