San Francisco "Field Herping"

[Leonardo]

My brother and I took a week out of our winter break to follow our sister back to San Francisco, CA for a purely touristy vacation. We did so much in such a short time. Here is one of the most interesting animals we saw:

Not sure if you can really call it true field herping, but here are some amazing reptiles and insects from the indoor rain forest in the Academy of Science Museum in San Francisco.

[I don't remember all the species' names, if you know them let me know!]

Butterflies

Disgusting Giant Cockroaches

Camelion

Day Gecko

Geckos (shamefully I forgot what kind)

Basilisk

A snake with a nose like a leaf

Very colorful snake tasting the air

Milk Snake

Tiny Poison dart frogs

Sleeping red eyed tree frogs (unfortunately every single one was curled up and sleeping so the bright colors of their eyes and legs were covered up)

 

[thestack510]

Nice pics. I love the Academy of Science.

 

[Leonardo]

I've never seen such an array of reptiles, amphibians, and insects in one place before. It amazed me.
This is only a very select few. I have over 12 gigs of photos from my trip to SF

 

[PacHerp]

I can't wait to go to the Cal Academy!!! Being over in the Easy Bay, I have no idea why I haven't made the trip yet... It's the largest indoor rain forest display in the world. I'm planning a trip out there soon... I'll have to share some photos too!

 

[moosassah]

I wish I'd know about that place when I was in SF. I bet you could spend a whole weekend there.

 

[Leonardo]

we spent almost all day in there! it was amazing!
theres all sorts of museum things with taxied animals, live penguins, reptiles, an amazing planetarium, a living roof, and this rain forest
i might have to just load some more pictures when i get them cleaned up.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

Not quite sure, So someone please correct me if I'm wrong but the one labeled milk snake looked like a rat snake to me. (I'm no species specialist)

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

WOW! Being in the SF Bay area, I can say that the Steinhart Aquarium, Natural History Museum, and all, has been closed for maybe 10 years! It re-opened in the past 6 months with the Natural History Museum, Steinhart Aquarium, the Planetarium, and the 3-story natural rainforest.

My friend came to visit over the Christmas-New Year week, and we went to Golden Gate Park to visit the 'new' Academy of Science Museum. The admission line was wrapped around 2 blocks, and they were not letting anyone without advance ticket purchases in!!!! What a disappointment...

I'm so glad you were able to visit this magnificent museum while you were here in San Francisco! I can't wait to go and see this amazing place myself.

 

[Leonardo]

Rick, I bet it probably is. I didn't get any time than to just snap that one picture before I was pushed aside by a group of kids. Thanks for pointing that out.

Marcia, I'm so glad I got to go too! I had a blast. My brother and I got what they call a "City Pass"
It's a booklet filled with coupons and tickets good for 7 days and will get you on all MUNI transportation systems for free while it lasts. One of the coupons in it was one free admition to this museum.
Also the MOMA, the Aquarium on Pier 39, a cruise on the Blue and Gold Fleet, the deYoung museum were free, and several coupons for discounted items and such. It was a blessing to have it, otherwise my brother and I would have spent way too much money or just not have done as much stuff as we did.