Vertebrates

Browse our Q&A about birds, eggs, nests, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals of the Central Coast and Channel Islands.

“Hi, This guy was at our patio during a drizzling earlier morning Riviera area. Thank you, Ann”
Ann, Riviera, Santa Barbara - May 27, 2022

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“Good Afternoon, I discovered these bones near the top of a seacliff off the Santa Barbara Coastline, near UCSB. They look like vertebrae to me, but I truly have no clue. ”
Shahmeer, Santa Barbara, CA - February 23, 2022

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“We found this at campus point. Do you know what animal it came from? ”
Terri, Goleta - January 30, 2022

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“Hi, Thsi question is for both your Ornithology and Chumash Artifacts curators. There is a well documented flock of local parrots that have roosted in Montecito for many decades. You may be familiar...”
Christopher, San Roque - October 28, 2021

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“Is anyone concerned about invasive foxes? I have had animal cameras running continuously for about 5 years and watched a few generations of grey foxes grow up on our bit of wilderness on our property....”
Joel, Ojai - September 17, 2021

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“I was wondering if any of your vertebrate zoologists could comment on this skunk. I caught it on my motion camera in my backyard. It appears to have a large growth on its head, visible in both views....”
Rebecca, Goleta - July 30, 2021

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“On June 16, 2021 I walked onto our concrete patio at about 9 PM and saw a snake in residential Santa Barbara for the first time after living here for just over 50 years. The neighhood net is reporting...”
Brian, Santa Barbara - June 18, 2021

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“This little guy was in our house last night, I was able to safely get it outside and it immediately slithered into a gopher hole. This morning I was able to get a couple of pictures as it came out. Th...”
Ryan, Noleta - February 21, 2021

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“If I were to go out at night with a flashlight, how likely would it be for me to find some owls? Also, where would I have the highest chance of seeing owls? I'm 13 years old and I went out to Douglas...”
Oliver, Santa Barbara - February 6, 2021

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“What kind of nest is this? Large, deep, rounded with a depth of about 2 feet. Made with branches, not sticks. Very close to the ground, with a "front door" Thank you!”
Carol, Valley Center California - January 10, 2021

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