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Vertebrates

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

“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 o...”
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...”
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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“Hello,To whom shall I direct my inquiry on the identification of the snake in my attached photo?The photo was taken by my cousin John on the shore of Lake Isabella in Kern Co....”
Gail - October 6, 2020

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“We found a dead cougar on a turnout on highway 101 at Gaviota on Sunday, 9-20-2020. I phoned the wildlife people at California's Fish and Wildlife Department, and they had it picked up. Fish and...”
Leo, Santa Barbara - September 22, 2020

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“Please identify the attached pictures as I am uncertain of their names. Thanks, Lewis Rubin”
Lewis Rubin, Santa Barbara - September 19, 2020

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“Good afternoon. Would you be so kind to please help me identify the bone of the images attached to this question. My brother found it on a beach in the western part of my country, El Salvador, C...”
Ana Luisa Roque Valdovinos, San Salvador, El Salvador, Central America - August 8, 2020

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“I found this skeleton in our backyard woods.  We frequently see skunks, racoons and opossums on our trail cam, but this looks smaller than a racoon or opossum and larger than a skunk. ...”
Jeff Lawton, Santa Barbara, Mesa area - August 8, 2020

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“Earlier this spring a Cliff Swallow built a nest under our eaves. Knowing that they are protected, I let them be and tried to just clean up the mess regularly. I have two questions if som...”
Patrick, Santa Barbara - July 20, 2020

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“We have been noticing a Hummingbird at our feeder that has markings that are different from the usual Hummingbirds ( Mostly Anna's and a Rufus).    We think it is a Ruby Throated Hummi...”
John Boyd, Santa Barbara - July 10, 2020

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