California Academy of Sciences
@calacademy.bsky.social
Natural history museum, research institute, aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, & so much more — all under one living roof.
Shellmounds, sacred Ohlone sites used as burial places and gathering areas, were constructed by Indigenous people to connect with their ancestors, each other, and the land. Shellmounds can be found throughout the Bay Area & helped inspire the design of the Ohlone garden on the Academy’s Living Roof.
November 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Shellmounds, sacred Ohlone sites used as burial places and gathering areas, were constructed by Indigenous people to connect with their ancestors, each other, and the land. Shellmounds can be found throughout the Bay Area & helped inspire the design of the Ohlone garden on the Academy’s Living Roof.
BREAKING NEWS: California sea stars WANT you to photograph them, actually!
In our December cover story, we dive into Solstice Sea Star Search, a monthlong quest to document California’s sea stars.
In our December cover story, we dive into Solstice Sea Star Search, a monthlong quest to document California’s sea stars.
November 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
BREAKING NEWS: California sea stars WANT you to photograph them, actually!
In our December cover story, we dive into Solstice Sea Star Search, a monthlong quest to document California’s sea stars.
In our December cover story, we dive into Solstice Sea Star Search, a monthlong quest to document California’s sea stars.
Our exhibit, California: State of Nature, features stunning commissioned works by Indigenous artists across the state. From necklaces beaded with abalone shells to paddles carved out of native plants, each piece represents the longstanding deep connections between humans and the natural world.
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Our exhibit, California: State of Nature, features stunning commissioned works by Indigenous artists across the state. From necklaces beaded with abalone shells to paddles carved out of native plants, each piece represents the longstanding deep connections between humans and the natural world.
Blello fwends, we have BIG news: Tiny Chef is coming to Cal Academy this December! 🎊✨
November 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Blello fwends, we have BIG news: Tiny Chef is coming to Cal Academy this December! 🎊✨
Love maps? (Us too.) Interested in learning more about biodiversity and helping science? (Ditto.)
This Wednesday, join Cal Academy researchers for a free, virtual georeferencing training session. 🌱
Learn more and register here: bit.ly/4qJoVbP
This Wednesday, join Cal Academy researchers for a free, virtual georeferencing training session. 🌱
Learn more and register here: bit.ly/4qJoVbP
November 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Love maps? (Us too.) Interested in learning more about biodiversity and helping science? (Ditto.)
This Wednesday, join Cal Academy researchers for a free, virtual georeferencing training session. 🌱
Learn more and register here: bit.ly/4qJoVbP
This Wednesday, join Cal Academy researchers for a free, virtual georeferencing training session. 🌱
Learn more and register here: bit.ly/4qJoVbP
The otters are taking in the crisp autumn air, the salt marsh harvest mice are cozying up under the pickleweed, and the golden chanterelles are aglow. Scroll to see how our California native species are spending the fall. 🍂🧣🥧
November 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The otters are taking in the crisp autumn air, the salt marsh harvest mice are cozying up under the pickleweed, and the golden chanterelles are aglow. Scroll to see how our California native species are spending the fall. 🍂🧣🥧
If your circle isn’t talking about how your favorite fall/winter California nature event elucidates the nuances of your personality… it’s time to find a new circle.
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
If your circle isn’t talking about how your favorite fall/winter California nature event elucidates the nuances of your personality… it’s time to find a new circle.
Dust off your wellies, throw on some layers, and grab a flashlight, because winter tide pool season is officially here! 🐚🪸🐙🦀🌊
November through December is your best shot at seeing unique intertidal creatures along the California Coast—like colorful nudibranchs, sea stars, kelp forests, and more.
November through December is your best shot at seeing unique intertidal creatures along the California Coast—like colorful nudibranchs, sea stars, kelp forests, and more.
November 4, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Dust off your wellies, throw on some layers, and grab a flashlight, because winter tide pool season is officially here! 🐚🪸🐙🦀🌊
November through December is your best shot at seeing unique intertidal creatures along the California Coast—like colorful nudibranchs, sea stars, kelp forests, and more.
November through December is your best shot at seeing unique intertidal creatures along the California Coast—like colorful nudibranchs, sea stars, kelp forests, and more.
Leaf-tailed geckos > raking leaves. Swipe to see our Academy critters getting in the fall spirit with some seasonally-appropriate camouflage. (They actually look like this year-round, but don’t tell the leaves.)
Ft. 1) Leaf-tailed gecko 2) Weedy seadragon 3) Weedy scorpionfish 4) Leaf insect
Ft. 1) Leaf-tailed gecko 2) Weedy seadragon 3) Weedy scorpionfish 4) Leaf insect
November 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Leaf-tailed geckos > raking leaves. Swipe to see our Academy critters getting in the fall spirit with some seasonally-appropriate camouflage. (They actually look like this year-round, but don’t tell the leaves.)
Ft. 1) Leaf-tailed gecko 2) Weedy seadragon 3) Weedy scorpionfish 4) Leaf insect
Ft. 1) Leaf-tailed gecko 2) Weedy seadragon 3) Weedy scorpionfish 4) Leaf insect
Spaghetti and delicata and acorn squash, and even zucchini and pumpkin, are literally all the same species. Don’t believe us? Swipe to see how Cucurbita pepo can include so many varieties 🎃
October 27, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Spaghetti and delicata and acorn squash, and even zucchini and pumpkin, are literally all the same species. Don’t believe us? Swipe to see how Cucurbita pepo can include so many varieties 🎃
#NationalVetTechWeek is nearly over, but we’re always celebrating our amazing Animal Health biologists and the work they do to keep our non-human colleagues happy & healthy!
October 17, 2025 at 5:28 PM
#NationalVetTechWeek is nearly over, but we’re always celebrating our amazing Animal Health biologists and the work they do to keep our non-human colleagues happy & healthy!
Us after a month of celebrating an alligator’s 30th hatchday.
[Video description: A beaded lizard—a black reptile with yellow splotches on its body—opens its mouth in a long yawn, repositioning its limbs on the mulch floor.]
[Video description: A beaded lizard—a black reptile with yellow splotches on its body—opens its mouth in a long yawn, repositioning its limbs on the mulch floor.]
October 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Us after a month of celebrating an alligator’s 30th hatchday.
[Video description: A beaded lizard—a black reptile with yellow splotches on its body—opens its mouth in a long yawn, repositioning its limbs on the mulch floor.]
[Video description: A beaded lizard—a black reptile with yellow splotches on its body—opens its mouth in a long yawn, repositioning its limbs on the mulch floor.]
So you’ve been keeping up with Claude all month long, writing fan mail and acing Tuesday Trivia — but are you ready to test your Claude IQ? As Claude’s hatch-month draws to a close, see what you’ve learned with our bespoke alligator quiz here: calacademy.org/claudequiz
September 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
So you’ve been keeping up with Claude all month long, writing fan mail and acing Tuesday Trivia — but are you ready to test your Claude IQ? As Claude’s hatch-month draws to a close, see what you’ve learned with our bespoke alligator quiz here: calacademy.org/claudequiz
Claude might have a smooth looking noggin, but like other American alligators, he possesses two hidden ears that allow him to hear both above and underwater.
September 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Claude might have a smooth looking noggin, but like other American alligators, he possesses two hidden ears that allow him to hear both above and underwater.
It’s Trivia Tuesday! 🤓
Claude has a skincare routine! Once a week, Claude’s biologists will give him a scrub to help remove any algal buildup.
Claude loves these scrubs and they only take place if he wants them. So, if he’s looking extra green one day, assume he just wanted to skip this week.
Claude has a skincare routine! Once a week, Claude’s biologists will give him a scrub to help remove any algal buildup.
Claude loves these scrubs and they only take place if he wants them. So, if he’s looking extra green one day, assume he just wanted to skip this week.
September 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It’s Trivia Tuesday! 🤓
Claude has a skincare routine! Once a week, Claude’s biologists will give him a scrub to help remove any algal buildup.
Claude loves these scrubs and they only take place if he wants them. So, if he’s looking extra green one day, assume he just wanted to skip this week.
Claude has a skincare routine! Once a week, Claude’s biologists will give him a scrub to help remove any algal buildup.
Claude loves these scrubs and they only take place if he wants them. So, if he’s looking extra green one day, assume he just wanted to skip this week.
Want to win a poster featuring Claude and his Academy friends? 👀🐊🤍
All you have to do is join our Plants to Pixels project to help transcribe specimen labels. Volunteers who participate in the project between now and September 30, 2025 will be eligible to win. Learn more here: bit.ly/3zKk8AE
All you have to do is join our Plants to Pixels project to help transcribe specimen labels. Volunteers who participate in the project between now and September 30, 2025 will be eligible to win. Learn more here: bit.ly/3zKk8AE
September 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Want to win a poster featuring Claude and his Academy friends? 👀🐊🤍
All you have to do is join our Plants to Pixels project to help transcribe specimen labels. Volunteers who participate in the project between now and September 30, 2025 will be eligible to win. Learn more here: bit.ly/3zKk8AE
All you have to do is join our Plants to Pixels project to help transcribe specimen labels. Volunteers who participate in the project between now and September 30, 2025 will be eligible to win. Learn more here: bit.ly/3zKk8AE
It’s another Claude Trivia Tuesday!
Claude is a poikilotherm, so he relies on environmental conditions to regulate his body temperature. To warm up, he'll bask on his heated rock. To cool down, he'll take a dip in the water. Claude loves to lounge, utilizing a "sit-and-wait" hunting strategy.
Claude is a poikilotherm, so he relies on environmental conditions to regulate his body temperature. To warm up, he'll bask on his heated rock. To cool down, he'll take a dip in the water. Claude loves to lounge, utilizing a "sit-and-wait" hunting strategy.
September 9, 2025 at 4:15 PM
It’s another Claude Trivia Tuesday!
Claude is a poikilotherm, so he relies on environmental conditions to regulate his body temperature. To warm up, he'll bask on his heated rock. To cool down, he'll take a dip in the water. Claude loves to lounge, utilizing a "sit-and-wait" hunting strategy.
Claude is a poikilotherm, so he relies on environmental conditions to regulate his body temperature. To warm up, he'll bask on his heated rock. To cool down, he'll take a dip in the water. Claude loves to lounge, utilizing a "sit-and-wait" hunting strategy.
Claude’s turning 30. Maybe you’ve heard? This Thursday night, we’re ringing in his new decade with the ultimate birthday bash. Think giveaways, crafts, cake, and Piña Claude-as, all capped off with a swamp-side celebration — because you only turn 30 once. Get tickets here: bit.ly/4nhpoPK
September 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Claude’s turning 30. Maybe you’ve heard? This Thursday night, we’re ringing in his new decade with the ultimate birthday bash. Think giveaways, crafts, cake, and Piña Claude-as, all capped off with a swamp-side celebration — because you only turn 30 once. Get tickets here: bit.ly/4nhpoPK
Ready, set, Claude Quest! Claude plushies (and accompanying prizes) have been hidden around the Academy and the Bay Area: think Academy tickets, a family membership, and more. Check the full list of prize locations here to begin the search: bit.ly/4ndQrLP
Happy questing! 🐊🤍
Happy questing! 🐊🤍
September 5, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Ready, set, Claude Quest! Claude plushies (and accompanying prizes) have been hidden around the Academy and the Bay Area: think Academy tickets, a family membership, and more. Check the full list of prize locations here to begin the search: bit.ly/4ndQrLP
Happy questing! 🐊🤍
Happy questing! 🐊🤍
It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s a free Claude plushie! Claude Quest is BACK. Starting tomorrow, you can find Claude plushies hidden around some of the Bay Area’s most beloved spots. Check back then for the list of prize locations, with a chance to win Academy tickets, a family membership, and more.
September 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s a free Claude plushie! Claude Quest is BACK. Starting tomorrow, you can find Claude plushies hidden around some of the Bay Area’s most beloved spots. Check back then for the list of prize locations, with a chance to win Academy tickets, a family membership, and more.
It’s Claude Trivia Tuesday!
Alligators are *constantly* losing teeth. They can replace each one up to 50 times, going through thousands in their lifetime. This characteristic, called polyphyodonty, is beneficial for apex predators, who need to maintain sharp, strong teeth to hunt effectively.
Alligators are *constantly* losing teeth. They can replace each one up to 50 times, going through thousands in their lifetime. This characteristic, called polyphyodonty, is beneficial for apex predators, who need to maintain sharp, strong teeth to hunt effectively.
September 2, 2025 at 5:29 PM
It’s Claude Trivia Tuesday!
Alligators are *constantly* losing teeth. They can replace each one up to 50 times, going through thousands in their lifetime. This characteristic, called polyphyodonty, is beneficial for apex predators, who need to maintain sharp, strong teeth to hunt effectively.
Alligators are *constantly* losing teeth. They can replace each one up to 50 times, going through thousands in their lifetime. This characteristic, called polyphyodonty, is beneficial for apex predators, who need to maintain sharp, strong teeth to hunt effectively.
Calling all California nature lovers: Can YOU find the most biodiversity? 🦌🌵🦆🐞🐛🐟🌲🍁🦎
August 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Calling all California nature lovers: Can YOU find the most biodiversity? 🦌🌵🦆🐞🐛🐟🌲🍁🦎
Find someone who looks at you like Dr. Elora López-Nandam looks at these juvenile corals in our Coral Regeneration Lab. 😍 🪸
August 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Find someone who looks at you like Dr. Elora López-Nandam looks at these juvenile corals in our Coral Regeneration Lab. 😍 🪸
Goodbye, so long, see you later! Our dinosaurs are headed back to the Cretaceous period. Be sure to swing by before September 1 to wish them well. 🦖🦕🦖
Get the last tickets to Dino Days at: bit.ly/3H8xCKO
Get the last tickets to Dino Days at: bit.ly/3H8xCKO
August 26, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Goodbye, so long, see you later! Our dinosaurs are headed back to the Cretaceous period. Be sure to swing by before September 1 to wish them well. 🦖🦕🦖
Get the last tickets to Dino Days at: bit.ly/3H8xCKO
Get the last tickets to Dino Days at: bit.ly/3H8xCKO
Calling all cake artisans, Great British Bakeoff enthusiasts, and people who REALLY love Pycnopodia helianthoides! Can you make a sunflower sea star cake that will impress Academy scientists? Maybe you want to tackle sea-urchin-inspired entremets or (for the ambitious) an entire kelp forest?
August 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Calling all cake artisans, Great British Bakeoff enthusiasts, and people who REALLY love Pycnopodia helianthoides! Can you make a sunflower sea star cake that will impress Academy scientists? Maybe you want to tackle sea-urchin-inspired entremets or (for the ambitious) an entire kelp forest?