Our collections contain approximately 8 million research specimens from around the world. Most of our collection, however, represents our mission region from southern California to the tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
Birds and Mammals: 51,798 bird skins and skeletons. 25,498 mammal skins and skeletons.
Botany: 279,257 botanical specimens (vascular and non-vascular), most of which are pressed.
Entomology: 1,305,661 terrestrial invertebrates, mostly insects and arachnids that are pinned or preserved in ethanol.
Herpetology: 76,651 reptiles and amphibians.
Marine Invertebrates: 5 million specimens, consisting mostly of shells.
Mineralogy: 15,000 specimens.
Paleontology: 1,521,671 fossils of plants and animals.
Research Library: 56,000 volumes in the main collection; at least 2,350 in the Klauber Library; 1094 paintings by A.R. Valentien; 61 bird paintings by Allan Brooks; at least 50,000 photographs; 4,000 maps.
Exhibit Collections: approximately 600 specimens.
Nature to You Loan Collection: over 1,300 specimens.