CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE

Drawing for the Planet’s California Wildlife project is a tribute to the natural tapestry of California—its winged travelers, ground-dwelling neighbors, and the fragile ecosystems they inhabit. Through art, and education the project bears witness to species at risk and transforms attention into action, raising funds for conservation efforts in the state.

Led by artist Jane Lee McCracken, founder of Drawing for the Planet California Wildlife, invites Californians, both children and adults, to slow down, observe, learn about and draw their local wildlife in ballpoint pen. Each drawing becomes an act of care, and a gesture of connection. Dedicated to both human and non-human lives touched by California’s wildfires, this project honors what has been lost, what endures, and what must be protected.

This initiative thrives through partnerships with School Power, Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), Laguna Art Museum, the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, Coast Film and Music Festival, and the Laguna Beach Fire Department, (LBFD). 

LBFD firefighters with DftP team; image left: Sheri Morgan, Board President (center right) and Dee Perry, Board Clerk (far left), LBUSD, and Sarah Wolsey, K-5 Visual and Performing Arts ToSA, Top of the World (center left) © Drawing for the Planet 

Wander through the page and see Jane's dynamic montages created for the project which showcase the creativity of every participating artist in The Artworks section and encounter ninety-nine of California’s extraordinary species brought to life in drawings by a selection of participating artists in Meet the Wildlife section. Scroll down to explore:

• The Project
• The Workshops
• California's Wildlife
• How You Can Help Protect Wildlife—Free Download
• How You Can Help Prevent Wildfires—Free Download
• The Artworks
• Meet The Wildlife
• The Artists
• Project Partners

FOLLOW us on instagram for project updates here: drawingfortheplanet_org

If you would like to sponsor the California Wildlife project to help more communities across California learn about and draw their local wildlife, and help raise funds for conservation please contact: info@drawingfortheplanet.org 

You can also DONATE online here. Thank you!

THE PROJECT

Puma © Dennis Donohue | Dreamstime.com

California Wildlife launched in 2024 with a vibrant community workshop at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. Participants drew wildlife that inhabits the museum's gardens as well as the surrounding landscape including the Angeles National Park. 

Since then, the project has grown, with Jane and Drawing for the Planet's Youth Ambassadors and volunteers hosting workshops across Laguna Beach in November 2025—including at the Laguna Art Museum, Coast Film and Music Festival, Assistance League of Laguna Beach, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, and El Morro and Top of the World Elementary Schools. 

Left: Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens; right: Huntington Library workshop © Drawing for the Planet 

In 2026, Drawing for the Planet will present a celebratory mural to El Morro Elementary School featuring the expressive drawings by Southern Californians including children and staff from the school and Top of the World Elementary School—illuminating their representations of California’s wildlife. 

PROJECT AIMS

Assistance League, Laguna Beach workshop © Drawing for the Planet

The California Wildlife project strives to ignite a deeper connection between people and the state’s magnificent wildlife. Through community engagement, hands-on workshops, and the creative power of Californians’, it seeks to raise awareness by connecting communities with their local species, understanding the threats to wildlife including wildfires, inspiring action to protect wildlife, and building a lasting legacy of art, education and conservation—one community, one child, and one drawing at a time. 

“I very much enjoyed Drawing for the Planet's workshop. It was fun working with my classmates, and learning about the animals in the area around my school. I can’t wait to see the mural. My school has a lot of open space around it, so there is a lot of wildlife to learn about. It was so cool, and I had so much fun.” Annie Erlinger, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary School, Laguna Beach

THE WORKSHOPS

Jane and DftP Youth Ambassador Rosie Rogers working with young artists at Top of the World Elementary workshop © Drawing for the Planet

Drawing for the Planet’s workshops unite environmental learning with creative practice. This two-part approach helps participants understand the importance of the natural world while forming a creative and emotional connection to species and celebrating their beauty and presence through art.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP

In the environmental education workshops, Jane highlights California’s remarkable terrestrial and avian wildlife (to learn more about California's marine species please visit our Laguna Marine Wildlife project page). She explores the delicate balance they inhabit, the threats that endanger them, and why their protection matters to us all more than ever. Through this journey, she reveals simple positive actions participants can take to safeguard wildlife and examines the devastating effects of California's wildfires.

LBFD firefighters presentation, Top of the World Elementary © Drawing for the Planet

The program in Laguna Beach concludes with a powerful presentation by firefighters from Laguna Beach Fire Department, focusing on practical steps individuals can take to prevent wildfires. The firefighters explain that while wildfires can be a natural phenomenon—often sparked by lightning—many are caused by human activity. Drawing from firsthand experience, they share compelling accounts of battling wildfires and emphasize that all California firefighters are extensively trained to confront these increasingly dangerous blazes. Administrative/Training Captain, Chip Gilmore said:

"Our team truly enjoyed being part of this project with Drawing for the Planet. Connecting with the kids and talking about wildfire prevention was both rewarding and inspiring—they were engaged, curious, and eager to learn how they can help keep their communities safe."

DRAWING WORKSHOP

In Jane’s drawing workshops, participants use ballpoint pens to echo her artistic practice—learning to embrace the challenge of a medium that cannot be erased while developing focused line-making and self-confidence.

Participants select photographs of local wildlife as their muse and are asked to capture only the animal itself, leaving the background behind. This deliberate absence draws attention to the beauty, structure, and existence of the animal, while echoing a deeper truth: habitat loss remains one of the greatest threats to wildlife. 

Participants from the Huntington Library, Coast Film and Music Festival, Assistance League and El Morro and Top of the World Elementary workshops © Drawing for the Planet

Jane encourages artists to see through the animal’s eyes, to imagine the world it has known—fostering a moment of empathy and connection. 

Through this process, participants form emotional bonds with the species they depict—to protect wildlife, we must first feel connected to it. When we care, we are moved to conserve.

Jane is assisted in the workshops by Dr. Kirsten Rogers, Treasurer of Drawing for the Planet and a dedicated circle of young leaders and mentors including our Youth Ambassadors, California Wildlife Project Ambassadors and Laguna Beach High School students Rosie Rogers and Mia Yanes, who lend their passion and voices, alongside volunteers Grace Puffer and Elsie Huston also students of Laguna Beach High School. Their presence and support helps guide the workshops and nurture a shared commitment to art, education, and conservation.

MiaYanes (left); Rosie Rogers (above center); Elsie Huston (above right); Grace Puffer (below center) and Kirsten Rogers (below right) © Drawing for the Planet

CALIFORNIA'S WILDLIFE

You Choose 2026, Jane Lee McCracken (images: 'Among the Sierra Nevada, California' Albert Albierstadt, 1868; California Condor, Pacific Southwest Region U.S. F & W Service; Desert Tortoise © Irina Kozhemyakina and Island Fox © Patrick Barron | Dreamstime.com

From the rugged Pacific coastlines to the arid expanses of the Mojave Desert, and soaring mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada, California is a kaleidoscope of wild extremes. Its landscapes cradle an astonishing array of life—from the critically endangered Mojave Desert tortoise, to the majestic yet imperiled California condor, and the elusive near-threatened island fox. These species are living reminders of the state’s astounding biodiversity—and of the urgent responsibility we bear to protect it.

WHY WILDLIFE IN CALIFORNIA IS UNDER THREAT 

California is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the United States. The state is home to: 185 mammal species; 429 bird species; 100 reptile species; 68 amphibian species; 27,000 terrestrial invertebrate species—yet many of its native species are facing serious threats. These challenges are largely driven by human activity and environmental change, placing ecosystems under increasing pressure. Once vast and untamed, forests, wetlands, and grasslands are now sliced and scattered by cities, farms, and roads, leaving wildlife wandering in fragments of their former home.

The major threats to wildlife in California are: 

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: urban growth, agriculture, and infrastructure development have destroyed and divided natural habitats. When ecosystems are fragmented, wildlife struggles to find food, shelter, and breeding areas, leading to declining populations.

Climate Change: rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events are altering California’s landscapes. Many species cannot adapt quickly enough to these changes, resulting in disrupted migration patterns, reduced food sources, and habitat loss.

Water Scarcity and Diversion: California’s rivers and wetlands have been heavily altered by dams and water diversion for agriculture and urban use. Reduced water flow threatens fish, amphibians, birds, and other species that rely on healthy freshwater systems.

Pollution: pesticides, plastics, oil spills, and industrial runoff contaminate land and waterways. Pollution can poison wildlife, damage reproductive systems, and degrade critical habitats, particularly in coastal and marine environments.

Invasive Species: non-native plants and animals compete with native species for resources. Invasive predators and plants can rapidly disrupt ecosystems, pushing native wildlife toward decline or extinction.

Overuse of Natural Resources: overfishing, illegal hunting, and excessive resource extraction reduce wildlife populations faster than they can recover, placing long-term strain on ecosystems.

Humans need wildlife for our own survival—the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat all rely on biodiversity. Protecting California’s wildlife is essential not only for preserving biodiversity, but also for maintaining healthy ecosystems that support clean water, food systems, and human well-being.

THE CALIFORNIA GRIZZLY BEAR

Ursus arctos californicus, Santa Barbara, Natural History Museum, 2019.11.24 (26)

The California grizzly bear, a powerful symbol of the state, once roamed wild and free, from coastal regions to mountainous forests.

A mighty shadow across golden hills and ancient forests with fur like autumn earth and strength that commanded the land, it ruled the wilderness with quiet majesty. California grizzlies played a crucial role in the ecosystem as apex predators, helping to maintain balance among other wildlife. 

The California grizzly bear was hunted to extinction and vanished from the hills it once called home in the early 20th century, leaving only its image on the state flag as a reminder of its former presence. Extinction is forever.

CHANGING ATTITUDES TO CONSERVATION

Gray Wolf © Holly Kuchera | Dreamstime.com

In the early twentieth century, gray wolves—like the California grizzly bear—had been pushed out of California through government extermination programs which began in the late 19th century until the 1950s-60s and saw 1-2 million wolves lose their lives.

By 1924, their howls had fallen silent across the state. For decades, wolves existed only in memory and myth, symbols of a wild California that no longer seemed possible.

American Dream, 2014, ballpoint pen drawing, Jane Lee McCracken created for the Wolf Conservation Center, NY

Over the course of the twentieth century, attitudes toward wildlife began to change, and predators came to be seen as vital to healthy ecosystems. In 2011, a lone male wolf known as OR-7 crossed into California from Orgeon, marking the species' first return in nearly a century.

The story continued in 2015 with the discovery of the Shasta wolf pack in Northern California. Since then, wolves have slowly and naturally reclaimed parts of the state, dispersing south from Oregon and the Northern Rockies.

Today, gray wolves are listed as endangered in California and protected by both the federal Endangered Species Act and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). As of late 2024, between 50 and 70 wolves roam California in roughly ten packs—quietly restoring a presence once thought lost forever.

OR-7, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

You can read more about OR-7 and his legacy here.

This extract from conservationist Jonathan Slaght's book Tigers Between Empires, 2025, including a quote from Aldo Leopold's book A Sand County Almanac explains the changing attitude to predator conservation:

[T]he focus of wildlife management in the United Sates was traditionally limited to game species: ungulates (or hoofed mammals) like mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. [T]he pervasive attitude among managers towards predators was one of wildlife persecution: cougars, wolves, coyotes and other predators were considered parasites on nature, gluttons who ate too many ungulates, and so were targeted by aggressive government eradication efforts. [T]he ecologist Aldo Leopold, saw it differently. In Leopold's consequential work 'A Sand County Almanac' published in 1949, the scientist described the moment he started to see carnivores as part of nature, not something to be removed from it, when he shot a wolf in 1912:

"We reached the old wolf in time to watch the fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes—something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then, and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters' paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view."

HOW YOU CAN HELP PROTECT CALIFORNIA'S WILDLIFE

California’s wild heart beats with extraordinary life yet the footprint of human activity grows heavier, and many species now stand at the edge of silence. Protection begins with awareness, and change begins with each of us—through small, thoughtful acts that ripple outward.

CLICK on the image above or here to download our free guide and learn simple ways you can take positive action to help safeguard California’s precious wildlife for generations to come.

HOW TO PREVENT WILDFIRES

Wildfires pose an escalating threat to wildlife and ecosystems across California and around the world. While fire is a natural force in some environments, today’s extreme wildfires burn hotter, spread faster, and devastate vast areas of habitat. These fires displace and kill countless animals—particularly young, small, or slow-moving species that cannot escape—and can permanently alter ecosystems.

In 2025, Los Angeles experienced catastrophic wildfires that claimed the lives of 30 people and thousands of animals, including California condors and American black bears. Entire habitats were lost. Though some injured wildlife were rescued, treated, and returned to the wild, many losses were irreversible.

Bobcat rescued from the Chips Fire, Northern California and released back to the wild (image: United States Department of Agriculture)

Around the world, most wildfires—estimated at 85% to 90%—are triggered by human actions, while natural causes like lightning account for only a small portion, typically 10% to 15%. Human-caused fires often result from accidents, such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, or sparks from machinery, as well as intentional acts like arson.

Drawing for the Planet’s partners, Laguna Beach Fire Department has helped us create a list of simple, practical actions you can take to help prevent wildfires. These steps can be taken not only by Californians, but by people across the United States and around the world, to help reduce the risk of wildfires and protect both wildlife and communities.

CLICK on the image above or here above to download our free guide to preventing wildfires.

THE ARTWORKS

More than two hundred and fifty children and adults have already contributed their voices to California Wildlife through art. Jane’s montages bring these works together, honoring each artist’s chosen species in vibrant collective tributes. 

Every drawing style is distinct, reflecting the same remarkable diversity found among the non-human beings who inhabit California—and like their subjects, each drawing is singular, and irreplaceable.

Jane has created five montages for the project so far.

EL MORRO ELEMENTARY MURAL

The El Morro Elementary mural montage (above) features a selection of spectacular drawings of Southern California species by Southern Californians including children and staff from El Morro and Top of the World Elementary schools and Drawing for the Planet volunteers. The mural will be presented to the school for display in 2026. 

CLICK on the image above or here to download our free identification key produced to accompany the mural.

Below are montages created for each participating school and institution.

 

TOP OF THE WORLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 2025

The Drawing for the Planet team led workshops at Top of the World Elementary in Laguna Beach, working with art teacher Sarah Wolsey, K–5 Visual and Performing Arts ToSA, and Grade 3 students from the classes of Ms. Day, Mr. Hogrebe, Ms. Mignosa, and Ms. Williams. The montage represents the young artists’ inspired drawings, capturing species native to Southern California, including the shy ringtail, red diamond rattlesnake, and greater roadrunner.

 

EL MORRO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 2025

Imaginative drawings of Southern California species by Grade 3 students at El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach and their teachers come together in this spirited collage. The Drawing for the Planet team worked with art teacher Cama Stevens, K–5 Visual and Performing Arts ToSA, and class teachers Ms. Chastain, Mrs. Jameson, and Ms. Wagner to bring the project to life. Through the children’s artwork, species such as puma, Virginia opossum, California quail, and red-tailed hawk emerge in expressive and playful forms. The school requested that as it is located near the Pacific Ocean marine species were included in the choice of animals to draw. El Morro and Top of the World children from Grade 3 classes of 2023 also participated in Drawing for the Planet's Laguna Marine Wildlife project.

 

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, LAGUNA ART MUSEUM, COAST FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, ASSISTANCE LEAGUE AND DRAWING FOR THE PLANET VOLUNTEER WORKSHOPS, 2024/25

This montage weaves together magical drawings by participants ages four and up, created during workshops held at the Huntington Library, Laguna Art Museum, Coast Film and Music Festival, and the Assistance League of Laguna Beach, alongside contributions from Drawing for the Planet volunteers. Their artworks highlight species from across California such as the critically endangered delta green ground beetle, the endangered California condor, and the vividly colored San Francisco garter snake. 

 

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH, 2025

Working with Mar Stash, Elementary Art Expressions teacher at the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, the Drawing for the Planet team invited children aged five and up to create bold, striking drawings for the project. The artworks spotlight California species from diverse habitats, including the newly discovered Johnny Cash tarantula and the forest scorpion.

MEET THE WILDLIFE

Black-tailed Jackrabbit © Miroslav Liska | Dreamstime.com

Each of the ninety-nine species represented below—brought to life by a selection of our artists—calls California home and plays an essential role in its ecosystem. 

Like us, they move through the world guided by their needs, shaped by the landscapes they inhabit. Imagine what their eyes have witnessed: ancient forests breathing mist, unyielding sun-scorched deserts, snow-capped mountains, and endless shores throughout California.

Today, many of these lives teeter on the brink of disappearance. Their silence would leave the land diminished. To protect them is to honor the stories written into California’s soil, water, and sky. Their future depends on us, and it is our shared responsibility to protect, respect, and cherish the lives with which we share this land. 

Discover more about each species below, with links to their listings on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Some of the species are widespread throughout North America and extend as far as South America and beyond but some are endemic to California. Many of the species represented at present inhabit Southern California where the California Wildlife project was founded but as the project grows more participants from other areas of California will give voice to their local species too:

MAMMALS

Near threatened island fox © Patrick Barron | Dreamstime.com

California’s mammals embody the state’s significant diversity, from pumas roaming rugged ranges and ringtails exploring rocky canyons, to kit foxes navigating deserts.

Adapted to environments as varied as redwood groves, alpine meadows and grasslands, these mammals are engineers of balance—shaping plant life, regulating populations, and sustaining food webs. To notice them is to recognize California as a living, breathing system in which every mammal has a place and a purpose.

Learn about 19 of California's 185 mammal species:

 

ISLAND FOX

Drawings: Evie, age 5, Laguna Beach, Coast Film and Music Festival workshop; James, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The island fox is a small, elusive guardian of six of the eight Channel Islands of California with six subspecies including San Miguel Island Fox (Urocyon littoralis littoralis), San Miguel Island, Santa Rosa Island Fox (U. l. santarosae), Santa Rosa Island, Santa Cruz Island Fox (U. l. santacruzae), Santa Cruz Island, Santa Catalina Island Fox (U. l. catalinae), Santa Caralina Island, San Nicolas Island Fox (U. l. dickeyi), San Nicolas Island, and San Clemente Island Fox (U. l. clementae), San Clemente Island.

With its soft gray coat, bright eyes, and agile movements, it has adapted perfectly to life shaped by wind, ocean, and time. Isolated from the mainland for thousands of years, the island fox evolved into a species found nowhere else on Earth, moving silently through coastal scrub, grasslands, and oak woodlands.

Once brought to the brink of extinction, the island fox’s story is one of resilience and hope. Through dedicated conservation efforts, its populations have begun to recover, reminding us of the power of protection and coexistence. The island fox stands as a living symbol of the fragile balance between nature and humanity—and of what can be saved when that balance is respected.

 

PUMA

Drawings: Daxton and Oscar, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary; Tallulah and Sebastian, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The puma, commonly known as the mountain lion or cougar, is a powerful yet elusive presence across California’s wild landscapes. With a sleek tawny coat, muscular build and a fluid, silent stride, it moves like a shadow through forests, deserts, and mountain ranges stalking prey with patience and precision. Solitary by nature, this great cat relies on vast territories and sharp instincts to survive, playing a crucial role in keeping ecosystems balanced by regulating prey populations. Males are often larger than females, and stretch up to 8 feet from nose to tail tip. As apex predators, pumas primarily feed on deer, but they will also hunt smaller mammals like rabbits, and coyotes.

Despite its strength, the puma faces increasing pressure from habitat loss and human expansion. Its survival depends not on dominance, but on space—room to roam, hunt, and raise its young. The puma reminds us that true wilderness is defined not only by what we see, but by what moves unseen, sustaining the natural rhythms of the land.

 

BOBCAT

Drawings: Mia, Drawing for the Planet Youth Ambassador, Laguna Beach High School; Dylan, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach; Keon, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The bobcat, is a medium-sized wild cat that prowls California’s forests, deserts, and scrublands with soft-footed agility. Adults typically weigh between 15 and 35 pounds and measure 2 to 4 feet in length, with short, tufted ears and a distinctive “bobbed” tail that gives the species its name. Its spotted coat provides natural camouflage, allowing it to move unseen through brush and rocky terrain.

Bobcats are opportunistic hunters, feeding mainly on rabbits, rodents, birds, and occasionally deer fawns. Solitary and territorial, they mark and defend their ranges while relying on stealth and patience to catch prey. Though adaptable, bobcats are affected by habitat fragmentation and human activity, making the protection of wild spaces essential to preserve their role as skilled predators within California’s ecosystems.

 

COYOTE

Drawings: Duke, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary; Catherine, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

Coyotes, fondly known as 'Song Dogs' as they communicate with distinctive howls, yips, and barks are highly adaptable predators that roam the diverse landscapes of California, from deserts and grasslands to forests and suburban areas. Adult coyotes typically weigh between 20 and 50 pounds and measure 3 to 4 feet from nose to tail tip, with a slender, agile build, pointed ears, and bushy tail. Their fur ranges from grayish-brown to reddish hues, blending seamlessly with their surroundings.

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, eating a wide variety of food including small mammals like rabbits and rodents, birds, insects, fruits, and occasionally human scraps. Known for their intelligence and resourcefulness, they hunt alone or in small family groups. Coyotes’ adaptability allows them to thrive while playing a vital role in controlling rodent populations and maintaining ecological balance in California’s ecosystems.

 

GREY FOX

Drawing: Everly, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The grey fox is a small, elusive canid that navigates the forests, chaparral, and woodlands of California with remarkable agility. Adults typically weigh between 8 and 15 pounds and measure about 3 feet from nose to tail tip, with a distinctive black-tipped tail and a coat of silvery-gray fur mixed with reddish tones on the chest and legs. Unlike most canids, grey foxes are skilled climbers, often taking to trees to escape danger or hunt.

Grey foxes are omnivorous and opportunistic, feeding on small mammals such as rabbits and rodents, birds, insects, fruits, and berries. Solitary and secretive, they are most active at dawn and dusk, using their cunning and speed to thrive in both wild and semi-urban areas. Their presence helps control small animal populations and contributes to the delicate balance of their landscapes.

 

KIT FOX

Drawing: Grayse, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 2025 

The kit fox is a small, nocturnal canid that inhabits the deserts and arid grasslands of California. Adults weigh between 4 and 6 pounds and measure about 2 to 3 feet long, with large ears that help dissipate heat and keenly detect the movements of prey. Their sandy-colored fur blends easily with the dry landscapes they call home, providing camouflage from predators and human observers alike.

Kit foxes are opportunistic hunters and scavengers, feeding on rodents, rabbits, insects, birds, and occasionally fruits or plant matter. Mostly active at night, they dig burrows for shelter and protection from extreme temperatures. Despite their small size, kit foxes are vital to their ecosystem, helping regulate populations of small mammals and insects, and demonstrating the tenacity of wildlife in some of California’s harshest environments.

 

AMERICAN BADGER

Drawing: Ella, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The American badger is a sturdy, ground-dwelling mammal found in the grasslands, deserts, and open woodlands of California. Adults typically weigh between 15 and 30 pounds and measure about 2 to 3 feet in length, with a low, stocky body, strong forelimbs, and long, sharp claws built for digging. Its coarse fur is grayish-brown with distinctive white stripes on the face, giving it a bold, unmistakable appearance.

Badgers are carnivorous hunters, feeding primarily on small mammals such as ground squirrels, mice, and gophers, but they will also eat insects, reptiles, and occasionally birds. Solitary and mostly nocturnal, they are expert diggers, creating burrows for shelter and ambushing prey underground. By controlling populations of burrowing animals, the American badger plays an important role in maintaining the equilibrium.

 

NORTHERN RACCOON

Drawings: Kim, Associate Director of Public and Community Engagement,
The Huntington Library, 2024; Asher and Ariana, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The northern raccoon is a clever and adaptable mammal found throughout California’s forests, wetlands, and even urban areas. Adults typically weigh between 10 and 30 pounds and measure about 2 to 3 feet in length, with a bushy, ringed tail and a distinctive black “mask” across their eyes. Their grayish-brown fur provides camouflage while they move stealthily through trees, streams, and backyards.

Raccoons are omnivores with a highly varied diet, eating fruits, nuts, insects, small mammals, birds, eggs, and even human scraps when available. Known for their dexterous front paws and problem-solving skills, they are primarily nocturnal, foraging under the cover of night. Northern raccoons are key players in ecosystems by dispersing seeds, controlling insect populations, and cleaning up carrion, making them both resilient and ecologically valuable members of California’s wildlife.

 

RINGTAIL

Drawings: Jack and Sasha, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The ringtail, sometimes called the “miner's cat,” is a small, nocturnal mammal that prowls California’s rocky canyons, forests, and desert edges with remarkable agility. Adults typically weigh between 1.5 and 3 pounds and measure 16 to 20 inches from nose to base of tail, with a long, bushy tail adding another 15 to 18 inches. Its soft, tawny fur is marked with dark rings along the tail, which helps it maintain balance as it leaps and climbs through trees and rocky ledges.

Ringtails are omnivorous and opportunistic, feeding on insects, small mammals, birds, fruits, and eggs. Primarily nocturnal, they are expert climbers and highly agile, able to navigate cliffs and dense foliage with ease. By controlling insect and rodent populations and dispersing seeds, ringtails quietly shape the ecosystems they inhabit, proving that even small, shy creatures leave a lasting mark on the wild landscapes of California.

 

WESTERN SPOTTED SKUNK

Drawings: Ford, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary; Mia, Drawing for the Planet Youth Ambassador, Laguna Beach High School, 2025 

The western spotted skunk is a small but fearless nocturnal wanderer of California’s forests, grasslands, and deserts. Adults weigh between 1.5 and 3 pounds and measure 14 to 20 inches long, with a bushy tail adding another 6 to 10 inches. Its black fur, boldly marked with white spots and stripes, warns predators that this little creature is not to be underestimated. When threatened, it performs an extraordinary display—standing on its front paws, tail raised high, before unleashing its notorious, pungent spray.

Omnivorous and opportunistic, the western spotted skunk hunts insects, small mammals, birds, eggs, and fruits under the cover of night. Its acrobatic antics and bold defense make it both remarkable and resilient, while its hunting helps control rodent and insect populations. Though small in size, the western spotted skunk reminds us that courage and cleverness often come in the most unexpected forms.

 

LONG-TAILED WEASEL

Drawing: Molly, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The long-tailed weasel is a small, sleek predator that moves with lightning speed across California’s forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Adults typically weigh between 3 and 8 ounces and measure 10 to 16 inches in body length, with a bushy tail adding another 4 to 6 inches. Its slender, elongated body and sharp teeth make it an agile and efficient hunter, able to slip into burrows and narrow spaces with ease.

Long-tailed weasels are carnivorous, feeding primarily on small mammals such as mice, voles, and rabbits, but they will also hunt birds, eggs, and insects. Active both day and night, they are relentless hunters, relying on speed, stealth, and precision to catch prey. Long-tailed weasels are critical to maintaining stability in their ecosystems, keeping populations of small mammals in check and demonstrating the power of agility and determination in the natural world.

 

VIRGINIA OPOSSUM

Drawings: Emilia, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary; Kalina, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The Virginia opossum is a nocturnal marsupial commonly found throughout California’s forests, grasslands, and even urban areas. Adults typically measure 24 to 39 inches from nose to tail, with a body length of about 14 to 21 inches and a prehensile tail adding another 10 to 18 inches. They have coarse grayish-white fur, a pointed snout, and small, rounded ears, giving them a distinctive, somewhat mischievous appearance.

Virginia opossums are omnivorous opportunists, feeding on a wide variety of foods, including insects, small rodents, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and carrion. They forage at night, using their keen sense of smell and dexterous front paws to manipulate objects and search for food. By consuming both plant and animal matter, and cleaning up carrion, Virginia opossums help maintain ecological harmony and nutrient cycling in California’s varied habitats.

 

BOTTAE'S POCKET GOPHER

Drawing: William, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The Bottae’s pocket gopher is a small, burrowing mammal that shapes the underground landscapes of California’s grasslands, forests, and deserts. Adults typically weigh between 4 and 6 ounces and measure 6 to 9 inches long, with short, sturdy limbs, large digging claws, and fur-lined cheek pouches used to carry food. Its velvety brown coat blends with the soil, helping it remain hidden from predators above ground.

Bottae’s pocket gophers are herbivores, feeding primarily on roots, tubers, bulbs, and underground stems. They spend most of their lives beneath the surface, digging extensive tunnel networks that aerate the soil and disperse plant matter, benefiting the ecosystem above. Though small and seldom seen, these industrious gophers play a vital role in upholding the health and fertility of California’s soils.

 

CALIFORNIA GROUND SQUIRREL

Drawings: Kalina, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary; Tindall, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The California ground squirrel is a sturdy, social rodent that thrives across California’s grasslands, woodlands, and scrub habitats. Adults typically weigh between 1 and 2.5 pounds and measure about 12 to 16 inches in body length, with a bushy tail adding another 5 to 7 inches. Their gray-brown fur is streaked with lighter tones, helping them merge into the open landscapes where they forage and burrow.

These squirrels are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, nuts, fruits, green vegetation, insects, and occasionally small animals or bird eggs. They are primarily active during the day, using their keen eyesight and sharp teeth to gather food and defend their burrow systems. By aerating the soil through their tunnels and spreading seeds, California ground squirrels help preserve the balance and fecundity of their ecosystems.

 

PALLID BAT

Drawing: Yasmeen, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The pallid bat is a medium-sized, nocturnal bat that navigates the deserts, grasslands, and open woodlands of California with remarkable agility. Adults typically weigh between 0.5 and 1 ounce, with a wingspan of 12 to 14 inches. Its pale, sandy-colored fur and large ears help it detect the faintest sounds of prey on the ground, making it one of the few bats that hunts primarily on land as well as in the air.

Pallid bats are insectivorous and carnivorous, feeding mainly on beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, scorpions, and small vertebrates such as lizards or mice. Their large ears allow them to pinpoint prey with extraordinary precision, while their agility and silent flight make them efficient nighttime hunters. Controlling insect populations and preying on small animals, pallid bats fulfil an essential role in sustaining the ecological balance of arid and semi-arid habitats.

 

WESTERN PIPISTRELLE

Drawings: Noah, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary; Grace, Drawing for the Planet volunteer, Laguna Beach High School, 2025 

The western pipistrelle is one of California’s smallest bats, weighing only 2 to 6 grams (less than a nickel) and measuring about 2.5 to 3 inches in body length, with a wingspan of 7 to 9 inches. Its tiny frame is covered in soft, light brown to grayish fur, and its delicate wings allow it to maneuver swiftly through open skies and desert canyons.

These bats are insectivorous, feeding almost entirely on flying insects such as moths, beetles, and mosquitoes. They are nocturnal hunters, using echolocation to detect and capture prey. Despite their small size, western pipistrelles are vital to California’s ecosystems, helping control insect populations. 

 

MULE DEER 

Drawing: Ava, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The mule deer is a large, graceful hoofed mammal found throughout California’s mountains, forests, deserts, and open plains. Adults typically stand 3 to 3.5 feet tall at the shoulder and measure 4.5 to 7 feet in length, with males weighing between 130 and 330 pounds and females somewhat smaller. Their large ears—resembling those of a mule—constantly swivel to catch sound, while their bounding, stiff-legged gait is a familiar sight across open landscapes.

Mule deer are herbivores, feeding on a wide variety of shrubs, grasses, leaves, twigs, and seasonal fruits. They browse more than they graze, selecting tender shoots and foliage as they move through their habitat. By shaping plant growth and dispersing seeds as they travel, mule deer plays a defining role in the character and rhythm of California’s wild lands, linking vegetation, predators, and landscape into a living whole.

 

DESERT COTTONTAIL

Drawing: Melika, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The desert cottontail is a small, nimble rabbit that inhabits California’s deserts, grasslands, and scrublands. Adults typically weigh between 2 and 3 pounds and measure 14 to 18 inches in length, with a soft, reddish-brown to grayish coat and a distinctive white, cotton-like tail. Its compact body and strong hind legs allow it to dash quickly through brush and rocky terrain, escaping predators with bursts of speed.

Desert cottontails are herbivores, feeding mainly on grasses, leaves, stems, and bark, along with fruits and other vegetation when available. Primarily active at dawn and dusk, they serve as prey for a variety of predators, while also contributing to the ecosystem by spreading seeds and shaping plant communities. 

 

BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT

Drawings: Mia, Drawing for the Planet Youth Ambassador, Laguna Beach High School; Marabelle and Tindall, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The black-tailed jackrabbit is a large, swift mammal that races across California’s deserts, grasslands, and scrublands. Adults typically weigh between 6 and 10 pounds and measure 18 to 24 inches from nose to tail, with long, powerful hind legs built for rapid, bounding sprints and large ears that help detect distant sounds. Its fur is a mix of gray and brown tones, providing camouflage in open, arid landscapes.

Jackrabbits are herbivorous, feeding primarily on grasses, shrubs, leaves, and cacti, and they often consume a variety of desert plants to survive in dry environments. Mostly active at dawn and dusk, they rely on speed and keen senses to escape predators, while also playing a vital role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds and shaping vegetation patterns. Agile, alert, and enduring, the California jackrabbit is a striking symbol of life in the open wilds of the state.

 

BIRDS

Allen's Hummingbird © Steve Byland | Dreamstime.com

California’s birds fill the skies, forests, and wetlands with color, song, and motion. From the soaring red-tailed hawks above sunlit valleys and the secretive Allen’s hummingbirds flitting among chaparral, to the brilliant California quail calling from oak-studded hills, each species carries a story of adaptation and survival.

Birds pollinate, disperse seeds, and control insects, weaving themselves into the rhythms of every ecosystem. To watch them is to witness California's feathered pulse in its endless sky.

Learn about 38 of California's 429 bird species:

 

CALIFORNIA CONDOR

Drawing: Jennifer, Coast Film and Music Festival workshop, 2025 

The California condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world and a powerful symbol of California’s wild heritage. Adults can weigh between 15 and 25 pounds and boast an immense wingspan of 9 to nearly 10 feet. With broad black wings marked by white patches and a bare, reddish head, the condor soars effortlessly over mountains, canyons, and open landscapes, riding rising air currents for hours without a single wingbeat.

California condors are scavengers, feeding exclusively on carrion such as deer, marine mammals, and livestock. By consuming the remains of dead animals, they help prevent the spread of disease and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. Once pushed to the brink of extinction, the condor’s survival now depends on ongoing conservation efforts. Its slow, majestic flight serves as a reminder of both nature’s fragility and its capacity for recovery when protected.

 

TRICOLORED BLACBIRD

Drawings: Haven and Von, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The Tricolored Blackbird is a sleek, social bird native to California, known for gathering in large, bustling colonies. Slightly smaller than a robin, adults measure about 7 to 9 inches in length and weigh roughly 2 to 3 ounces. Males are glossy black with striking red and white shoulder patches, while females are more subtly streaked brown, blending easily into grasses and reeds.

Tricolored blackbirds feed primarily on insects such as beetles and grasshoppers, along with seeds and grains when insects are scarce. They forage on the ground and in low vegetation, often moving together in coordinated groups. By consuming vast numbers of insects, these birds play a pivotal role in agricultural and natural ecosystems, while their dense colonies and declining numbers make them a powerful symbol of California’s changing landscapes.

 

ISLAND SCRUB JAY

Drawing: Ava, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The island scrub-jay is a striking blue songbird found only on California’s Channel Islands. Slightly larger than a robin, adults measure about 11 to 12 inches in length and weigh around 3 ounces. Its vivid blue feathers, strong bill, and curious nature make it a bold and recognizable presence among oak woodlands and scrub habitats.

Island scrub-jays are omnivorous, feeding on acorns, seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals. They are known for collecting and burying acorns, a behavior that helps oak trees spread across the island landscape. Intelligent and social, these jays demonstrate how a single species can influence the health and future of an entire habitat.

 

WESTERN SCRUB-JAY

Drawings: Gabriel, Huntington Library workshop, 2024; Smokey, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The western scrub-jay or California scrub-jay is a medium-sized, intelligent bird commonly found in California’s oak woodlands, chaparral, and suburban areas. Adults measure about 10 to 11 inches in length and weigh around 3 to 4 ounces. Its bright blue wings and tail, gray back, and pale underparts, along with a sharp, inquisitive gaze, make it a striking and recognizable presence as it hops through trees or forages on the ground.

Western scrub-jays are omnivorous, feeding on acorns, seeds, fruits, insects, small reptiles, and eggs. Known for their remarkable memory, they store acorns and other food items in scattered caches for later retrieval. By dispersing seeds and controlling insect populations, western scrub-jays are fundamental to the health and regeneration of California’s ecosystems, while their intelligence and curious behavior make them one of the state’s most fascinating native birds.

 

STELLER'S JAY

Drawing: London, Laguna Beach High School, Assisteens workshop, 2025

The Steller’s jay is a striking, bold bird commonly found in California’s coniferous forests, woodlands, and mountainous areas. Adults measure about 11 to 12 inches in length and weigh around 3 to 4 ounces. Its deep blue body, black head and crest, and sharp black eyes give it a dramatic and unmistakable appearance, while its loud, varied calls make its presence known throughout the forest.

Steller’s jays are omnivorous and highly opportunistic, feeding on seeds, nuts, berries, insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally eggs or nestlings of other birds. They forage both on the ground and in trees, using their intelligence and strong beaks to access a wide variety of foods. Steller’s jays play an important role in maintaining the health and diversity of California’s forest ecosystems by dispersing seeds and controlling insect populations, while their social and inquisitive nature adds vibrancy to the woods they inhabit.

 

BALD EAGLE

Drawing: Dylan, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The bald eagle is a powerful bird of prey that commands the skies over California’s lakes, rivers, and coastlines. Adults typically weigh between 6 and 14 pounds and measure 28 to 40 inches in length, with an impressive wingspan of 6 to 7.5 feet. Its dark brown body, bright white head and tail, and piercing yellow eyes give the bald eagle its unmistakable appearance.

Bald eagles feed primarily on fish, which they snatch from the water with strong talons, but they will also eat waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion when the opportunity arises. They are skilled hunters and scavengers. Once threatened by population declines, the bald eagle’s recovery is a token of the success of conservation efforts.

 

OSPREY

Drawing: Tahtiye, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The osprey is a striking fish-eating bird of prey often seen soaring above California’s rivers, lakes, and coastlines. Adults typically weigh between 2.5 and 4.5 pounds and measure about 21 to 25 inches in length, with a broad wingspan of 5 to 6 feet. Its white underside, dark brown upper body, and bold black eye stripe make it easy to recognize as it glides high before plunging feet-first into the water.

Ospreys feed almost exclusively on fish, which they capture with sharp, curved talons adapted for gripping slippery prey. After diving, they carry their catch head-forward through the air to reduce drag. As skilled hunters and seasonal migrants, ospreys play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and serve as indicators of healthy waterways, reflecting the close connection between clean water and thriving wildlife.

 

RED-TAILED HAWK

Drawing: Gabriel, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The red-tailed hawk is a large and powerful raptor found across California’s open fields, deserts, and woodlands. Adults typically weigh between 2 and 4 pounds and measure 18 to 26 inches in length, with a wingspan ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 feet. Its rich brown back, pale underparts, and signature reddish-brown tail make it one of North America’s most recognizable hawks.

Red-tailed hawks are carnivorous hunters, feeding primarily on rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels, but they also take rabbits, birds, and reptiles when the opportunity arises. Often seen perched on fence posts or soaring high in the sky, they use keen eyesight to spot prey from great distances. Red-tailed hawks are critical to the health of of ecosystems, embodying both power and precision in the wild.

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK

Drawings: Kenzo, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary; Izzy and Luz, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The red-shouldered hawk is a medium-sized raptor commonly found in California’s forests, woodlands, and riparian areas. Adults measure 16 to 24 inches in length and weigh between 1 and 2 pounds, with a wingspan of 3 to 4 feet. Its reddish-brown shoulders, barred chest, and striking black-and-white patterned wings make it easily identifiable in flight or perched among tree branches.

Red-shouldered hawks are carnivorous hunters, feeding on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and large insects. They perch silently or soar above the canopy, scanning the ground for prey before swooping down with sharp talons. These hawks control populations of small animals, while their distinctive calls echoing through the forest signal both presence and territory in California’s wild landscapes.

 

COOPER'S HAWK

Drawing: Max, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized, agile raptor that prowls California’s forests, woodlands, and suburban areas with remarkable stealth. Adults measure 14 to 20 inches in length and weigh between 8 and 24 ounces, with a wingspan of 24 to 39 inches. Their slate-gray back, barred chest, and long, rounded tail help them maneuver quickly through dense trees and brush.

Cooper’s hawks are carnivorous hunters, feeding primarily on birds such as doves, sparrows, and starlings, but they will also take small mammals like squirrels or chipmunks. Known for their rapid, twisting flight through foliage, they rely on speed, agility, and sharp talons to capture prey. By regulating populations of birds and small mammals, Cooper’s hawks help maintain the ecological balance of California’s wooded and suburban landscapes.

 

GREAT HORNED OWL

Drawing: Paxson, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The great horned owl is one of California’s most powerful and iconic nocturnal predators. Adults typically weigh between 2 and 5.5 pounds and measure 18 to 25 inches in length, with a wingspan of 3.3 to 4.8 feet. Its tufted “horns,” deep yellow eyes, and mottled brown and gray plumage give it a fierce and commanding presence, blending perfectly into forests, deserts, and urban edges.

Great horned owls are carnivorous hunters with a broad diet, feeding on mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, and rodents, as well as birds, reptiles, and even other raptors. They hunt primarily at night, using exceptional eyesight, silent flight, and powerful talons to capture prey. Their deep, resonant hoots—often heard echoing across valleys and forests, as well as cities including Laguna Beach—serve to communicate territory and attract mates. As apex predators, great horned owls help control populations of small and medium-sized animals.

 

WESTERN SCREECH-OWL

Drawing: Tahtiye, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The western screech-owl is a small, well-camouflaged owl that inhabits California’s woodlands, forests, and riparian corridors. Adults measure about 7 to 10 inches in length and weigh between 4 and 9 ounces, with a wingspan of roughly 22 to 24 inches. Its mottled gray or brown plumage help it merge with tree bark, while its ear tufts and bright yellow eyes give it an alert, expressive appearance.

Western screech-owls are carnivorous and opportunistic hunters, feeding on insects, small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Active mainly at night, they hunt from low perches, dropping silently onto prey below. Their soft trills and bouncing whistles echo through the night, signaling territory and presence. Despite their small size, western screech-owls play an important role in controlling insect and rodent populations, quietly contributing to the balance of California’s nighttime ecosystems.

 

TURKEY VULTURE

Drawings: Dean, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary; Mia, Drawing for the Planet Youth Ambassador, 2025 

The turkey vulture is a large, soaring vulture often seen gliding effortlessly above California’s open landscapes. Adults typically weigh between 3 and 5 pounds and measure 25 to 32 inches in length, with an impressive wingspan of 5.5 to 6 feet. Its dark body, long broad wings held in a shallow “V,” and bare red head make it easily recognizable as it rides warm air currents high above the ground.

Turkey vultures are scavengers, feeding almost entirely on carrion. With an exceptional sense of smell, they can locate dead animals from great distances, playing a vital role in cleaning the environment and preventing the spread of disease. Silent and patient, they recycle life back into the ecosystem, reminding us that even the unseen work of nature is essential to the health of California’s wild spaces.

 

GREAT BLUE HERON

Drawing: Rosie, Drawing for the Planet Youth Ambassador, 2025 

The great blue heron is a tall, graceful wading bird often seen standing motionless along California’s shorelines, rivers, and wetlands. Adults typically stand about 4 feet tall and weigh between 4 and 7 pounds, with a wingspan reaching 6 to 6.5 feet. Its blue-gray plumage, long neck, and sharp, spear-like bill give it an elegant yet commanding presence as it moves through shallow water.

Great blue herons are skilled hunters, feeding primarily on fish, but they also eat frogs, snakes, small mammals, birds, and insects. With slow, deliberate movements, they stalk their prey before striking with lightning-fast precision. As both predator and indicator of healthy waterways, the great blue heron is fundamental to healthy aquatic ecosystems, embodying patience, balance, and strength in California’s wetlands.

 

GREEN-BACKED HERON

Drawings: Thalia, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach; Aspen, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The green-backed heron is a small, secretive wading bird that frequents California’s ponds, marshes, and quiet stream edges. Adults measure about 16 to 18 inches in length and weigh roughly 8 to 14 ounces, with a compact body, short legs, and a rich greenish-black back that contrasts with its chestnut neck and pale underparts. Often seen perched low and still, it merges easily into shoreline vegetation.

Green-backed herons are opportunistic feeders, eating fish, frogs, insects, crustaceans, and small reptiles. They are known for their clever hunting behavior, sometimes using bait such as insects or feathers to lure fish within striking range. By hunting along the water’s edge, this patient bird helps regulate aquatic life and adds a watchful presence to California’s wetlands.

 

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

Drawing: Sarah Wolsey, ToSA, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The black-crowned night heron is a compact, stocky heron that haunts wetlands, marshes, and quiet shorelines across California. Adults typically measure 23 to 26 inches in length, with a short neck and broad wings that give it a solid, grounded appearance in flight. Its pale gray body contrasts sharply with a glossy black crown and back, while striking red eyes glow in low light, hinting at its nocturnal nature.

True to its name, this heron feeds mainly at dusk and through the night. It eats fish, frogs, crustaceans, insects, and small mammals, standing motionless at the water’s edge before striking with sudden precision. Hunting when other birds rest, the black-crowned night heron fills a unique niche, quietly shaping the balance of wetland ecosystems under the cover of darkness.

 

WHITE-FACED IBIS

Drawing: Kaden, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

The white-faced ibis is a slender, wading bird that frequents California’s marshes, wetlands, and shallow ponds. Adults measure about 22 to 26 inches in length and weigh roughly 1 to 1.5 pounds, with a wingspan of 3.3 to 3.6 feet. Its glossy, dark plumage shimmers with green, bronze, and purple tones, and a distinctive white facial border surrounds its red eyes during the breeding season, making it easily recognizable in flight or while foraging.

White-faced ibises are carnivorous, feeding primarily on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, worms, and small fish. They use their long, curved bills to probe mud and shallow water for prey. By controlling insect populations and stirring up nutrients in wetland soils, white-faced ibises are vital to the health and productivity of California’s wetland ecosystems.

 

CALIFORNIA QUAIL

Drawings: Kristen Anthony, Huntington Library workshop; Aria, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary; Kendra, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The California quail is a small, ground-dwelling bird and the official state bird of California. Adults measure about 9 to 11 inches in length and weigh between 5 and 7 ounces. Its plump body, patterned brown and gray feathers, and distinctive forward-curving head plume give it a charming appearance as it scurries through grasslands, chaparral, and open woodlands.

California quail are primarily seed eaters, feeding on grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs, but they also consume insects, especially during the breeding season. Often seen traveling in groups called coveys, they forage on the ground while keeping watch for predators. California quails spread seeds and control insect populations. They add both beauty and lively movement to California’s landscapes.

 

MOUNTAIN QUAIL

Drawings: Cama Stevens, ToSA El Morro Elementary; Charlies and Mackenzie, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The mountain quail is a robust, ground-dwelling bird found in California’s mountainous forests, chaparral, and brushy slopes. Adults typically measure 11 to 13 inches in length and weigh between 7 and 9 ounces. Its plumage features gray-brown feathers with a scaled pattern, a reddish-brown belly, and a long, forward-curving topknot on the head, giving it a striking profile.

Mountain quail are primarily herbivorous, feeding on seeds, leaves, berries, and other plant material, though they occasionally consume small insects. They forage on the forest floor in small family groups, scratching through leaf litter and underbrush. By dispersing seeds and maintaining healthy vegetation, mountain quail contribute to the balance of California’s upland ecosystems.

 

GREATER ROADRUNNER

Drawing: Sawyer, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025 

The greater roadrunner is a fast, ground-dwelling bird that thrives in California’s deserts, scrublands, and arid foothills. Adults typically measure 20 to 24 inches in length, including their long tail, and weigh between 8 and 16 ounces. Its mottled brown and white plumage, long tail, and distinctive crest help it blend into the open, sun-baked landscapes it calls home.

Greater roadrunners are opportunistic carnivores, feeding on insects, small reptiles, rodents, spiders, scorpions, and occasionally small birds. Known for their remarkable speed on foot—able to sprint up to 15 miles per hour—they hunt by stalking prey with patience and precision. Greater roadrunners help control populations of insects and small animals, combining agility, cleverness, and resilience in one striking species.

 

NUTTAL'S WOODPECKER

Drawing: Mackenzie, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025 

Nuttall’s woodpecker is a small, agile bird that inhabits California’s oak woodlands, riparian forests, and suburban parks. Adults measure about 6 to 7 inches in length and weigh roughly 1.5 to 2 ounces. Its black-and-white barred back, white belly, and striking black-and-white facial patterns, along with a small red patch on the back of the male’s head, make it easily recognizable as it clings to tree trunks and branches.

Nuttall’s woodpeckers are primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, beetles, caterpillars, and other insects found under bark or in decaying wood. They also consume seeds and sap occasionally. Using strong bills and supple feet, they excavate small holes for foraging and nesting. Nuttall’s woodpeckers contribute to the control of insect populations and create cavities that later serve as homes for other species.

 

HOODED ORIOLE

Drawings: Sawyer and Mohammed, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary; James, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 2025 

The hooded oriole is a slender, vibrant songbird often found in California’s open woodlands, palm groves, and suburban areas. Adults measure about 7 to 8 inches in length and weigh roughly 0.6 to 1 ounce. Males are bright orange with a black hood and back, while females are paler yellow-orange with grayish backs, making them slightly less conspicuous but equally agile and alert.

Hooded orioles are primarily nectar feeders but are also opportunistic insectivores. They feed on nectar from flowers, fruits, and berries, while supplementing their diet with insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They are skilled foragers, often hanging upside-down from branches or flower clusters to access food. By pollinating flowers and controlling insect populations, hooded orioles play a key role in sustaining the health and diversity of their landscapes.

 

WESTERN MEADOWLARK

Drawing: Weston, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The western meadowlark is a medium-sized songbird known for its bright yellow chest and melodious flute-like songs that echo across California’s grasslands and open fields. Adults typically measure 8 to 10 inches in length and weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 ounces. Their brown-streaked backs provide excellent camouflage among grasses, while a distinct black “V” on the chest makes them recognizable up close.

Western meadowlarks are omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, but they also consume seeds and grains. They forage on the ground, walking and probing through grasses for food, often in small flocks outside the breeding season. Western meadowlarks are indispensable in maintaining the balance and productivity of California’s open landscapes, by controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds.

 

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

Drawing: Annie, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The red-winged blackbird is a bold and striking songbird commonly found in California’s marshes, wetlands, and open fields. Adults measure about 7 to 9 inches in length and weigh roughly 2.5 to 3.5 ounces, with a wingspan of 12 to 16 inches. Males are glossy black with vivid red and yellow shoulder patches, while females are streaked brown, blending seamlessly into reeds and grasses.

Red-winged blackbirds are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, grains, insects, and other small invertebrates. They forage on the ground and among vegetation, often in large, noisy flocks that protect them from predators. By consuming insects and spreading seeds, they help sustain the balance of California’s wetlands and grasslands, while their unmistakable calls and dynamic plumage make them one of the state’s most recognizable and energetic birds.

 

AMERICAN ROBIN

Drawing: Kaden, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The American robin is a familiar herald of California’s mornings, flitting through forests, gardens, and city streets with quiet grace. Measuring 9 to 11 inches in length and weighing just a few ounces, its warm orange-red breast and gray-brown back catch the eye, while its bright yellow bill peeks curiously from among the leaves. Its cheerful, melodious song, marks the rhythm of the day and the changing seasons.

Robins are versatile foragers, feeding on earthworms wriggling through soft soil, insects hidden in grass, and the sweet fruits and berries of shrubs and trees. With each worm unearthed and seed dispersed, they shape the land around them, quietly tending the harmony of nature. In every movement and song, the American robin embodies the vitality, and subtle poetry of California’s wild and cultivated spaces.

 

VARIED THRUSH

Drawings: Sasha and Sophia, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The varied thrush is a striking songbird that inhabits California’s dense coniferous forests, often appearing quietly among moss-covered trees and shaded understory. Adults measure about 9 to 11 inches in length and weigh roughly 2 to 3 ounces, with a wingspan of 13 to 15 inches. Its vivid orange breast, black diagonal chest band, and slate-gray back give it a dramatic and unmistakable appearance, while its alert eyes watch the forest floor for movement.

Varied thrushes are omnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, as well as berries and seeds. They forage primarily on the ground, flipping leaves and probing moss for hidden prey. Varied thrushes contribute to the health and regeneration of California’s forests by controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds, while their melodic, haunting song fills the woods with a sense of mystery and serene beauty.

 

WESTERN BLUEBIRD

Drawing: Olivia, Laguna Beach High School, Assisteens workshop, 2025

The western bluebird is a small, vibrant songbird that graces California’s open woodlands, meadows, and orchards. Adults measure about 6.5 to 7.5 inches in length and weigh roughly 0.9 to 1.2 ounces, with a wingspan of 11 to 13 inches. Males display brilliant blue plumage on the head and back, with a rusty orange chest, while females are more subdued in color, with soft gray-blue tones, yet equally graceful.

Western bluebirds are omnivorous, feeding on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, as well as berries and small fruits. They often forage in open areas, perching on fence posts or low branches before swooping down to capture prey on the ground. Western bluebirds are essential to California’s meadows and woodlands, controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds. They add a splash of color and cheerful song to the landscape.

 

ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD

Drawings: Rowan, age 12, Laguna Art Museum workshop, 2025; Nina, age 5, Huntington Library workshop, 2024

The Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a jewel of California’s gardens, oak woodlands, and coastal scrub, flitting with a blur of color and energy. Measuring only 3 to 4 inches long, with a wingspan of 4 to 5 inches, this tiny marvel dazzles with iridescent orange-red throats, shimmering green backs, and rufous tails in males, while females carry soft greens and spotted throats, moving with equal grace.

These hummingbirds sip nectar from flowers, hovering as if suspended in air, and supplement their diet with tiny insects and spiders. Every visit to a blossom spreads pollen, quietly sustaining the plants and the land itself. Though small, Allen’s hummingbirds bring brilliance, movement, and life to the landscapes they inhabit—a tiny spark of color and spirit.

 

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD

Drawing: Sheela, Huntington Library workshop, 2024

The Anna’s hummingbird is a brilliant spark in California’s gardens, woodlands, and city parks, a tiny acrobat of the air that shines with its own vivid brilliance. Measuring about 4 inches long, with a wingspan of nearly 5 inches, the male gleams with shimmering emerald plumage and a fiery rose-red crown and throat that catch sunlight like molten gems, while the female is gentler in tone, cloaked in soft greens and pale underparts.

Anna’s hummingbirds sip nectar with lightning precision, darting from flower to flower, and supplement their diet with tiny insects and spiders, sustaining themselves with both speed and grace. Unlike most hummingbirds, they are bold and persistent, often staying in the same gardens through winter, a striking, jewel-like presence year-round. With every hover and flicker, they spread pollen, enlivening the plants and the air, a glimmering reminder that even tiny creatures can leave an enduring shimmer on the world around them.

 

VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW

Drawing: Ian, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The violet-green swallow is a small, agile bird commonly seen flying over open landscapes in California, including forests, meadows, and waterways. Measuring about 4.5 to 5 inches in length, it has a slender body and long, pointed wings well suited for fast, sustained flight. Its back and crown are a glossy metallic green, with violet patches on the cheeks and rump that contrast with the clean white face and underside.

This swallow feeds almost entirely on flying insects, capturing flies, beetles, ants, moths, and other small invertebrates while in flight. By foraging high above the ground and water, the violet-green swallow plays an important role in controlling insect populations, making it an active and essential part of California’s aerial ecosystem.

 

COMMON VERMILLION FLYCATCHER

Drawing: Luz, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The vermilion flycatcher is a small, striking songbird that brightens California’s open woodlands, riparian areas, and desert edges with vivid color. Adults measure about 4.5 to 5 inches in length and weigh roughly 14 to 18 grams, with a wingspan of 7.5 to 8.5 inches. Males are brilliant red with dark brown wings and tails, while females are more muted with soft reddish-orange underparts and grayish-brown upperparts.

Vermilion flycatchers are primarily insectivorous, catching flies, beetles, grasshoppers, and other small insects midair with remarkable agility. They often perch openly on branches, scanning for prey before darting out in quick, acrobatic flights. Their fiery plumage and energetic movements make them one of the most dazzling birds in the region.

 

SPOTTED TOWHEE

Drawing: Landon, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The spotted towhee is a bold, ground-foraging songbird commonly found in California’s chaparral, oak woodlands, and brushy edges. Adults measure about 7 to 8 inches in length and weigh roughly 1.5 to 2 ounces, with a wingspan of 11 to 14 inches. Males have striking black heads and backs contrasted with rich rufous sides, white bellies, and prominent white spots on their wings and tail, while females are more subdued with brownish tones, yet equally alert and active.

Spotted towhees are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, berries, and insects such as beetles, ants, and caterpillars. They forage by scratching through leaf litter with both feet in a characteristic “double-scratch” motion to uncover hidden food. By dispersing seeds and controlling insect populations, spotted towhees help maintain the balance of California’s brushland ecosystems, with a distinctive song echoing through the landscapes they inhabit.

 

PURPLE FINCH

Drawings: Nikita and Adileh, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is a small, melodious songbird that brings subtle color and song to California’s forests and woodland edges. Adults measure about 6 to 6.5 inches in length and weigh roughly 0.6 to 1 ounce. Males are washed in a rich raspberry-red across the head and chest, while females are brown and white with bold facial markings, both blending beautifully into the branches where they perch and sing.

Purple finches feed primarily on seeds, buds, berries, and fruits, but they also eat insects, especially during the breeding season. They forage among treetops and shrubs, often moving methodically from branch to branch. Through their feeding and seed dispersal, purple finches help shape the plant communities around them, their soft warbling songs adding a gentle, lyrical thread to California’s natural soundscape.

 

BLUE GROSBEAK

Drawing: Jude, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The blue grosbeak is a medium-sized, vibrantly colored songbird found in California’s brushy fields, edges of woodlands, and riparian areas. Adults measure about 6 to 7 inches in length and weigh roughly 25 to 35 grams, with a wingspan of 9 to 12 inches. Males display rich cobalt-blue plumage with chestnut wing bars, while females are more subdued with warm brown tones and subtle blue hints, blending gracefully into their surroundings.

Blue grosbeaks are omnivorous, feeding on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, as well as seeds and small fruits. They forage primarily among shrubs and low branches, using short flights and hopping movements to capture prey or pick seeds. Blue grosbeaks help sustain the balance of California’s riparian and brushland ecosystems by controlling insect populations and spreading seeds, while their vivid coloration and rich, tuneful song add life to the landscape.

 

LAZULI BUNTING

Drawing: Whitton, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The lazuli bunting is a small, radiant songbird that brings flashes of color to California’s open woodlands, scrub, and riparian corridors. Adults measure about 5 to 6 inches in length and weigh roughly 0.5 to 0.7 ounces. Males display vivid blue heads and backs paired with warm cinnamon-orange chests and white bellies, while females wear softer brown and gray tones that blend gently into their surroundings.

Lazuli buntings are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, berries, and insects such as caterpillars and beetles. They forage low in shrubs and grasses, often flitting quickly between branches. By spreading seeds and consuming insects, lazuli buntings help maintain the balance of plant and insect life, their bright colors and gentle songs adding brilliance to California’s spring and summer scenery.

 

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW

Drawing: Caroline, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The white-throated sparrow is a small, sturdy songbird known for its crisp markings and clear, whistled song. Adults typically measure 6 to 7 inches in length, with a rounded body and long tail. Its plumage features brown-striped wings, a bright white throat patch, and bold black-and-white or tan-and-white head stripes that make it easy to recognize among sparrows.

White-throated sparrows are omnivorous, feeding primarily on seeds, grains, berries, and insects. During warmer months, insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and ants become an important part of their diet, especially for feeding young. They are often seen foraging on the ground beneath shrubs or hopping through leaf litter in woodland edges and brushy habitats, singing as they search for food.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET

Drawing: Sterling, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The ruby-crowned kinglet is a tiny, energetic songbird that moves restlessly through forests and wooded areas across California. Adults typically measure 3.5 to 4.3 inches in length, with a small, rounded body and a thin, pointed bill. Its olive-green plumage blends with foliage, while males occasionally flash a bright red crown patch when excited or displaying, a brief spark of color against the green.

Ruby-crowned kinglets are primarily insectivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, and their larvae, which they glean from leaves, bark, and branches. During colder months, they also eat small fruits and berries. Constantly flicking their wings and calling as they forage, the ruby-crowned kinglet brings motion and sound to the forest understory while helping keep insect populations in check.

 

WESTERN TANAGER

Drawing: Sarah Wolsey, ToSA, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The western tanager is a vivid songbird that brings flashes of color to California’s forests during the warmer months. Adults typically measure 6.5 to 7.5 inches in length, with sturdy bodies and broad wings. Males are especially striking, with bright red heads set against yellow bodies and black wings, while females display softer shades of yellow and gray that blend easily into the canopy.

Western tanagers feed primarily on insects, including beetles, wasps, caterpillars, and flies, often catching them mid-air or gleaning them from leaves and branches. They also eat fruit and berries, especially during migration. Moving between trees and feeding on both insects and fruit, western tanagers help regulate insect populations and contribute to seed dispersal, playing a lively and pivotal role in the rhythm of California’s forest ecosystems.

 

REPTILES

Critically endangered Mojave desert tortoise © Melani Wright | Dreamstime.com

California’s reptiles slither, crawl, and bask across diverse landscapes, from sunbaked deserts to shady forests and rocky mountainsides. From the swift western fence lizards darting through chaparral to the elusive desert tortoises enduring harsh arid plains, and from rattlesnakes coiling in hidden crevices to alligator lizards slipping among leaf litter, these creatures are masters of survival.

They regulate insect and small animal populations, aerate the soil, and form vital links in the food chain. California is a land where every scale, tail, and sun-warmed stone holds a story.

Learn about 15 of California's 100 reptile species:

 

WESTERN POND TURTLE

Drawings: Jack, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach; James, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary; Kabir, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The western pond turtle is a medium-sized freshwater turtle native to California’s ponds, rivers, and slow-moving streams. Adults typically measure 5 to 10 inches in shell length, with a smooth, domed carapace colored olive to brown and mottled with darker markings, giving it a marbled appearance. Its head and limbs are usually darker with subtle yellow or greenish stripes, and webbed feet aid in swimming.

Western pond turtles are omnivorous, feeding on a combination of aquatic insects, small fish, crustaceans, tadpoles, and plant material such as algae and water plants. They are most active during the day, basking in the sun to regulate their body temperature and foraging in shallow waters. By consuming both animal and plant matter, western pond turtles help control aquatic invertebrate populations and contribute to the health and balance of California’s freshwater ecosystems.

 

FLAT-TAILED HORNED LIZARD

Drawing: Jack, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The flat-tailed horned lizard is a small, well-camouflaged reptile adapted to the harsh deserts of southeastern California. Adults typically measure about 2.5 to 4 inches from snout to vent, with a flattened body and pale, sandy coloration perfect for blending with desert soil. Its short tail and crown of small horns help protect it from predators, while its stillness makes it nearly invisible in its sunbaked surroundings.

Flat-tailed horned lizards are specialized insectivores, feeding primarily on native ants, which they capture using quick tongue flicks. Spending much of their time on open desert flats, they rely on patience and camouflage rather than speed. Though subtle and rarely seen, this lizard is important to desert ecosystems, serving as a reminder of the delicate balance that allows life to persist in extreme environments.

 

COLORADO DESTERT FRINGE-TOED LIZARD

Drawing: Luca, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard is a pale, sand-dwelling reptile perfectly adapted to the shifting dunes of southeastern California. Adults typically measure 5 to 7 inches in total length, with flattened bodies and long toes edged with fringes that allow them to run effortlessly across loose sand. Their light cream and tan coloration reflects heat and provides excellent camouflage against the desert floor.

Colorado desert fringe-toed lizards are insectivores, feeding on ants, beetles, and other small insects found on or beneath the sand’s surface. Active during the day, they rely on speed and their ability to quickly burrow beneath the sand to escape predators and extreme heat. By feeding on insects and serving as prey for larger animals, Colorado desert fringe-toed lizards help sustain California’s desert ecosystems.

 

ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARD

Drawing: Piper, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The zebra-tailed lizard is a fast-moving reptile adapted to the open deserts and sandy flats of California. Adults typically measure 7 to 10 inches in total length, with a slender body and long legs built for speed. Its pale gray or tan coloration blends with desert ground, while bold black-and-white bands on the underside of the tail flash as it runs, a behavior thought to confuse predators.

Zebra-tailed lizards are primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, beetles, grasshoppers, flies, and other small invertebrates. They forage actively during the day, sprinting across hot sand and stopping abruptly to seize prey. Through their constant hunting of insects, the zebra-tailed lizard helps shape the desert food chain and supports the overall health of its arid habitat.

 

BAJA CALIFORNIA COLLARED LIZARD

Drawings: Oliver and Andrew, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The Baja California collared lizard is a swift and alert reptile found in California’s rocky deserts and open scrublands. Adults typically measure 8 to 14 inches in total length, with long, powerful hind legs and a sturdy body built for speed. Its patterned tan, gray, and olive coloration blends into sunlit rocks and sandy soil, while dark bands around the neck give the species its “collared” name.

Baja California collared lizards are carnivorous hunters, feeding on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, as well as smaller lizards and spiders. Active during the day, they rely on sharp eyesight and bursts of speed to chase down prey, often standing upright on their hind legs while running. As agile predators, they regulate insect and reptile populations.

 

SAN DIEGO HORNED LIZARD

Drawings: Ella, Assisteens workshop; Noah, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The San Diego horned lizard is a distinctive reptile native to California’s coastal scrub, grasslands, and open woodlands. Adults typically measure about 3 to 5 inches from snout to vent, with a broad, flattened body and a crown of short, pointed horns that give it a prehistoric appearance. Its mottled shades of brown, gray, and tan provide excellent camouflage against sandy soil and leaf litter.

San Diego horned lizards are specialized insectivores, feeding primarily on native ants, which they capture using quick, precise tongue movements. Slow-moving and patient, they rely on stillness and camouflage to avoid predators rather than speed. A quiet symbol of the state’s unique and often overlooked wildlife, these lizards help regulate ant populations.

 

WESTERN SKINK

Drawings: Sterling, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary; Jaime, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025; Gabriel, age 12, Huntington Library workshop, 2024

The western skink is a small, lizard commonly found in California’s woodlands, grasslands, and rocky slopes. Adults typically measure 5 to 8 inches in total length, with smooth, shiny scales and a slender body. Juveniles are especially striking, sporting bright blue tails that gradually fade as they mature, while adults display more muted brown and gray tones with subtle striping.

Western skinks are insectivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Quick and agile, they hunt among leaf litter, rocks, and fallen logs, darting away at the first sign of danger. When threatened, they can shed their tails to escape predators. By helping control insect populations, western skinks are important to California’s terrestrial ecosystems.

SOUTHERN ALLIGATOR LIZARD

Drawings: Francia, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach; Noah, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary; Joah, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The southern alligator lizard is a sleek and secretive reptile that glides through California’s woodlands, grasslands, and rocky slopes. Adults typically measure 9 to 14 inches from snout to tail, their long, slender bodies cloaked in earthy browns and grays that blend perfectly with rocks, leaf litter, and logs. Its rough, keeled scales and broad, triangular head give it an appearance reminiscent of a miniature alligator—hence its name—while its powerful tail and strong limbs allow it to move with agility and precision.

This lizard is a patient carnivore, feeding on insects, spiders, and even smaller lizards, stalking its prey with stealth and striking with quick bursts of speed. When threatened, it can detach part of its tail to escape predators, leaving behind only a fleeting token of its presence. The southern alligator lizard is a subtle but vital thread in the collage of California’s wild landscapes.

 

WESTERN FENCE LIZARD

Drawing: Eli, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The western fence lizard is a small, energetic reptile commonly seen basking on rocks, fences, and logs throughout California’s woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral. Adults typically measure 4 to 7 inches in total length, with a sturdy body, rough, keeled scales, and striking patches of bright blue on the throat and belly, especially in males. These blue markings flash in the sunlight, signaling territory and attracting mates.

Western fence lizards are primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, beetles, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They are agile hunters, darting quickly to catch prey while avoiding predators with sudden bursts of speed. As well as consuming insects and controlling their populations, their sunlit presence and quick movements bring life to the landscapes they inhabit.

 

COMMON SIDE-BLOTCHED LIZARD

Drawing: Saxon, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The common side-blotched lizard is a small, nimble reptile that thrives in California’s deserts, grasslands, and rocky areas. Adults typically measure 2 to 2.5 inches from snout to vent, with long tails that can double their total length. Their coloration varies from sandy tan to gray or brown, often with a distinctive dark blotch on each side of the body, helping them disappear against sunbaked rocks and soil.

Common side-blotched lizards are insectivorous, feeding primarily on ants, beetles, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Active during the day, they dart swiftly among rocks and vegetation to catch prey while avoiding predators. By controlling insect populations, the common side-blotched lizard maintains California’s arid and open habitats, weaving itself into the rhythm of desert and hillside life.

 

LONG-NOSED SNAKE

Drawings: Truth and Andrew, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The long-nosed snake is a slender, nocturnal serpent that inhabits California’s deserts, grasslands, and arid scrublands. Adults typically measure 20 to 33 inches in length, with smooth scales and a narrow, pointed snout that gives the species its distinctive name. Its patterned body—marked with black, cream, and reddish bands—provides camouflage among rocks, sand, and dry vegetation.

Long-nosed snakes are carnivorous, feeding primarily on lizards, small snakes, amphibians, and occasionally rodents. Active mostly at night, they use stealth and patience to hunt, striking quickly when prey comes within reach. Preying on small reptiles and amphibians, long-nosed snakes are a crucial presence in California’s desert and scrub ecosystems, patrolling the landscape under the cover of darkness.

 

GLOSSY SNAKE

Drawing: Gauthier, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The glossy snake is a slender, smooth-scaled serpent that glides through California’s deserts, grasslands, and arid scrublands. Adults typically measure 24 to 42 inches in length, with a narrow body and glossy scales that shimmer in sunlight. Its coloration ranges from tan to light brown with subtle darker blotches, allowing it to merge into sandy soil and rocky terrain.

Glossy snakes are carnivorous, feeding primarily on lizards, small snakes, and occasionally rodents or amphibians. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, using stealth and speed to capture prey while avoiding predators. Glossy snakes hunt small vertebrates, helping to regulate populations of desert wildlife.

 

RED DIAMOND RATTLESNAKE

Drawings: Damian, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary; Valko, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The red diamond rattlesnake is a large, heavy-bodied pit viper native to California’s coastal and desert regions. Adults typically measure 36 to 60 inches in length, with thick, muscular bodies patterned in reddish-brown diamonds outlined against a lighter background, giving it both camouflage and a striking appearance. Its triangular head and characteristic rattle warn potential predators of its venomous bite.

Red diamond rattlesnakes are carnivorous, feeding primarily on small mammals such as rodents, as well as birds, lizards, and amphibians. They are ambush predators, relying on patience, heat-sensing pits, and quick strikes to capture prey. By controlling rodent and small animal populations, red diamond rattlesnakes are paramount to the ecological balance of California’s deserts and coastal habitats.

 

CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN KINGSNAKE

Drawing: Victoria, Huntington Library workshop, 2024

The California mountain kingsnake is a vividly banded serpent that inhabits California’s forests, rocky slopes, and mountainous regions. Adults typically measure 30 to 45 inches in length, with smooth, glossy scales wrapped in striking rings of red, black, and white. These bold colors flash like living patterns of flame and shadow, yet provide surprising camouflage among rocks, fallen needles, and dappled forest light.

A secretive hunter, this kingsnake feeds on lizards, small snakes, amphibians, and rodents, subduing prey through constriction. It spends much of its time hidden beneath logs, stones, and leaf litter, emerging quietly to hunt. One of California’s most captivating forest dwellers, preying on such a wide range of small animals, makes it essential to the landscapes it inhabits.

 

CALIFORNIA KINGSNAKE

Drawings: Grace, Drawing for the Planet volunteer, Laguna Beach High School; Fiona, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The California kingsnake is a non-venomous serpent that inhabits a variety of California landscapes, from deserts and grasslands to woodlands and suburban edges. Adults typically measure 3 to 4 feet in length, though some can reach up to 6 feet. Its smooth, glossy scales display bold patterns of black or brown bands alternating with creamy white or yellow, giving it a dramatic, almost sculpted appearance.

California kingsnakes are opportunistic carnivores, feeding on rodents, birds, lizards, eggs, and even other snakes—including venomous species—thanks to their immunity to certain venoms. They are constrictors, coiling around prey to subdue it before swallowing whole. With striking patterns and confident movements the California kingsnake is one of the state’s most admired snakes.

 

AMPHIBIANS

Ensatina © Henk Wallays | Dreamstime.com

California’s amphibians slip through the wet and shadowed corners of the state, from mossy forest floors to rippling streams and ephemeral ponds. Frogs, salamanders, and newts—from the chorus of Pacific tree frogs to the secretive California tiger salamanders—carry the lifeblood of water through the land.

They control insects, recycle nutrients, and signal the health of fragile ecosystems with their sensitive skins and delicate lives. The quiet resilience of California’s waterways, each splash, croak, and shimmer tells a story of survival.

Learn about 6 of California's 68 reptile species:

 

ARROYO TOAD

Drawings: Daniel, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025; Caitlin Reller, Huntington Library workshop, 2024

The arroyo toad is a medium-sized amphibian native to California’s streams, ponds, and wet meadows. Adults typically measure 2 to 3 inches in length, with a robust, rounded body covered in warty, reddish-brown skin, perfectly camouflaging it with the soil and leaf litter along its watery habitats. Its large eyes and broad head give it a vigilant and expressive appearance.

These toads are carnivorous, feeding mainly on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Active mostly at night, they forage along the water’s edge, using their sticky tongues to capture prey with swift precision. As insect controllers, arroyo toads keep California’s freshwater and riparian ecosystems healthy.

 

WESTERN SPADEFOOT

Drawing: Conor, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The western spadefoot toad is a small, secretive amphibian found in California’s grasslands, woodlands, and lowland valleys. Adults typically measure 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length, with a rounded body, smooth to slightly bumpy skin, and a distinctive dark spade-like projection on each hind foot that allows it to burrow rapidly into sandy or loose soil. Its coloration ranges from tan to brown, often mottled with darker patches, providing excellent camouflage against the ground.

Western spadefoot toads are carnivorous, feeding primarily on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They spend much of their lives buried underground, emerging mostly during heavy rains to forage and breed. By consuming insects and other invertebrates, Western spadefoot toads help maintain the balance of California’s grassland and woodland ecosystems, while their sudden springtime emergence and explosive breeding bring life and activity to otherwise quiet landscapes.

 

CALIFORNIA NEWT

Drawings: Aubrey, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach; Fritz, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The California newt is a medium-sized amphibian found in California’s streams, ponds, and moist woodland areas. Adults typically measure 4 to 7 inches in length, with a robust, slightly flattened body covered in smooth, dark brown to olive skin on top and bright orange or yellow underparts. This coloration serves as a warning to predators, as the newt produces potent toxins in its skin.

California newts are carnivorous, feeding on insects, worms, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. They forage along stream beds, under logs, and among leaf litter, using their sticky tongues to capture prey. Their vivid warning colors and secretive nature make California newts a remarkable and resilient citizen of these habitats, managing insect and invertebrate populations, to preserve the health of California’s freshwater and riparian ecosystems.

 

GREAT PLAINS TOAD

Drawing: Davina, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 2025

The Great Plains toad is a medium-sized amphibian found in California’s grasslands, deserts, and open scrublands. Adults typically measure 2 to 4 inches in length, with a stout, rounded body covered in warty, gray-brown skin patterned with darker blotches that provide camouflage against soil and leaf litter. Its large, bulging eyes and broad head give it a watchful, alert expression.

Great Plains toads are carnivorous, feeding primarily on insects such as beetles, ants, and grasshoppers, as well as spiders and other small invertebrates. They are primarily nocturnal, emerging after rains to forage and breed. While remaining largely hidden from sight during the day, these toads consume large numbers of insects, making them one of nature's most effective pest controllers.

 

ENSATINA

Drawing: Elsie, Drawing for the Planet Volunteer, Laguna Beach High School, 2025

The ensatina is a small, slender salamander commonly found in California’s moist forests, woodlands, and shaded ravines. Adults typically measure 4 to 6 inches in length, with smooth, moist skin that ranges in color from brown to orange, often accented with darker spots or streaks. Its long tail and delicate limbs allow it to move gracefully among leaf litter, logs, and rocks.

Ensatinas are carnivorous, feeding primarily on small invertebrates such as insects, spiders, and worms. They hunt quietly at night, using stealth and patience to capture prey. By regulating insect populations, ensatinas sustain the intricate web of life hidden beneath the forest floor.

 

ARBOREAL SALAMANDER

Drawing: Mrs Jameson, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The arboreal salamander is a striking, tree-climbing amphibian native to California’s coastal forests and oak woodlands. Adults typically measure 6 to 8 inches in length, with a slender, flexible body and a long, prehensile tail that aids in climbing. Its smooth, shiny skin is dark brown to black, often flecked with silvery spots, allowing it to blend among tree bark and leaf litter.

Arboreal salamanders are carnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They are primarily nocturnal, foraging along branches, tree trunks, and forest floors under the cover of darkness, helping to regulate invertebrate populations.

 

INVERTEBRATES

Monarch © Larry Gevert | Dreamstime.com

California’s invertebrates—tiny architects and tireless workers—populate every nook of land, water, and sky. From monarch butterflies tracing the coast and native bees pollinating wildflowers, to burrowing beetles shaping the soil, these creatures sustain life in ways both visible and hidden. 

They aerate the earth, disperse seeds, recycle nutrients, and form the foundation of complex food webs demonstrating that even the smallest life in California is essential to the health and rhythm of the land.

Learn about 20 of California's 27,000 terrestrial invertebrate species:

 

DELTA GREEN GROUND BEETLE

Drawing: Ivy, Laguna Beach High School, Assisteens workshop, 2025

The delta green ground beetle is a small, gleaming ground beetle often found along the muddy edges of streams, ponds, and wetlands in California. Adults typically measure about 6 to 9 millimeters in length. Its metallic green body, marked with subtle pits and grooves, catches the light like polished stone, allowing it to stand out briefly before vanishing against damp soil and mossy ground.

This beetle is an active predator. It feeds on tiny insects, larvae, and other small invertebrates, hunting with speed and precision along wet shorelines. Constantly in motion, delta green ground beetles help keep insect populations in balance, playing a quiet but important role in the health of freshwater-edge ecosystems—an iridescent reminder that even the smallest hunters shape the world around them.

 

MOUNT HERMON JUNE BEETLE

Drawing: Andrea, Laguna Beach High School, Assisteens workshop, 2025

The Mount Hermon june beetle is a large, striking scarab beetle native to sandy soils and open habitats in California. Adults typically measure 20 to 28 millimeters in length, with a robust body patterned in dark brown and cream markings that create a bold, textured appearance. Its feathery antennae are especially noticeable, fanning open as the beetle senses its surroundings in the warm evening air.

This beetle’s diet changes over its lifetime. As a larva, the Mount Hermon june beetle lives underground, feeding on plant roots, while adults emerge at night to feed on leaves and foliage of shrubs and trees. By cycling nutrients through soil and vegetation, this beetle plays a meaningful role in maintaining the health of California’s ecosystems, spending most of its life hidden beneath the surface before briefly taking to the air.

 

QUINO CHECKERSPOT

Drawings: Madelyn, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary; Charlotte, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The Quino checkerspot butterfly is a vivid and delicate inhabitant of California’s grasslands and open scrub. With a wingspan of about 1.5 to 2 inches, it carries a striking pattern of red, orange, black, and cream that flashes like stained glass as it flutters low over the ground. When at rest, its wings fold to reveal a softer mosaic beneath, blending with sunlit soil and wildflowers.

Its life is closely tied to specific plants. As a caterpillar, it feeds on low-growing native plants, especially plantain and owl’s clover, storing the energy it will later carry into flight. As an adult, it sips nectar from wildflowers, drifting from bloom to bloom during warm spring days. Dependent on fragile habitats and seasonal rhythms, the Quino checkerspot is a living emblem of California’s grasslands—small in size, yet deeply connected to the land it inhabits.

 

MONARCH

Drawings: Paloma and Evan, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025; Cecelia, age 4, Huntington Library workshop, 2024

The western monarch butterfly is one of California’s most recognizable and beloved travelers, drifting across fields, coastlines, and valleys on wings stained with orange and black. Adults typically have a wingspan of 3.5 to 4 inches, their bold patterns outlined in white spots that glow in sunlight. During cooler months, they gather in quiet coastal groves, turning trees into living tapestries of color.

Their lives are inseparably tied to milkweed. As caterpillars, monarchs feed exclusively on native milkweed leaves, absorbing compounds that make them distasteful to predators. As adults, they drink nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, fueling their long journeys and daily wanderings. Both delicate and resilient, the western monarch embodies the pulse of California’s seasons—an airborne thread connecting distant landscapes through motion, memory, and survival.

 

WESTERN GIANT SWALLOWTAIL

Drawing: Olivia, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The western giant swallowtail is a graceful swallowtail butterfly distinguished by its broad wings and elegant, floating flight. Adults typically have a wingspan of about 3 to 4 inches, with dark wings accented by lighter markings that shimmer subtly as they move through sunlit air. Like other swallowtails, it carries itself with a calm, gliding motion, rarely rushing, as if carried by the landscape.

In its early life stage, the caterpillar feeds on the leaves of host plants, drawing nourishment needed for its transformation. As an adult, the western giant swallowtail feeds on nectar from flowering plants, using its long proboscis to reach deep into blossoms. Through its feeding and movement between flowers, this butterfly plays a role in pollination, becoming part of the whispered exchange between plants and insects that sustains healthy ecosystems.

 

BLUE-EYED DARNER

Drawing: Margaux, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The blue-eyed darner is a striking dragonfly often seen patrolling California’s ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams. Adults typically measure 3 to 3.5 inches in length, with a slender, elongated body colored in vivid shades of blue and green. Its large, brilliant blue eyes dominate the head, scanning the surroundings with sharp precision, while two pairs of translucent wings shimmer in sunlight as it hovers or darts over the water.

Blue-eyed darners are predatory both as larvae and adults. The aquatic nymphs feed on small aquatic invertebrates, while adults capture mosquitoes, flies, and other small flying insects mid-air with astonishing agility. Serving as a link between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the blue-eyed darner is vital to maintaining the balance and health of California’s freshwater habitats by controlling insect populations, its brilliant eyes and swift movements making it a jewel of the waterways.

 

WESTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL

Drawing: June, Huntington Library workshop, 2024

The western tiger swallowtail is a radiant butterfly that glides through California’s forests, river corridors, and gardens like a living burst of sunlight. With a wingspan of 3 to 4.5 inches, its bright yellow wings are boldly striped with black, trailing delicate tails that stream behind it in flight. Each slow wingbeat feels deliberate and effortless, as though the butterfly were floating rather than flying.

As a caterpillar, it feeds on the leaves of deciduous trees, including willow, cottonwood, and sycamore, drawing strength from the canopy above. As an adult, the western tiger swallowtail drinks nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, and may also sip moisture from damp soil along streambanks. A frequent visitor to open spaces and forest edges, the western tiger swallowtail is both pollinator and wanderer, stitching together California’s landscapes with color, motion, and light.

 

WESTERN SHEEP MOTH

Drawing: Jaime, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

The western sheep moth is a striking member of California’s open woodlands, shrublands, and desert edges. With a wingspan of about 2.5 to 3.5 inches, it carries pale cream to white wings marked by bold black veins and eye-like spots that seem to watch the world around it. Unlike many moths, it is often active during the day, drifting slowly through sunlit air with a calm, deliberate flight.

Its life begins among shrubs and trees. As a caterpillar, it feeds on the leaves of plants such as willow, wild rose, and other native shrubs, growing plump and spiny as it prepares for transformation. Adults do not feed or feed very little, relying instead on energy stored from their larval stage. Adults only live for 1-2 weeks. Brief yet unforgettable, the western sheep moth brings a quiet drama to California’s landscapes—a soft-winged presence shaped by sunlight, and change.

 

CEANOTHUS SILK MOTH

Drawing: Lydia, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The ceanothus silk moth is a large and striking moth native to California’s forests, woodlands, and shrublands. Adults boast a wingspan of 4 to 6 inches, with broad wings patterned in earthy browns, creamy whites, and subtle orange accents. Eye-like spots on each wing serve as warnings to predators, and the velvety texture of their wings adds to their quiet, commanding presence in the night.

As caterpillars, these moths feed on the leaves of native shrubs and trees, particularly ceanothus, snowberry, and currant, storing energy needed for their adult stage. Adult ceanothus silk moths do not feed, relying entirely on the energy gathered during their larval stage. By consuming leaves as caterpillars, they influence plant growth and serve as prey for other animals, playing a subtle yet important role in the dynamics of California’s forest and woodland ecosystems.

 

ARIZONA MANTIS

Drawing: Roman, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 2025

The Arizona mantis is a graceful and formidable predator found throughout California’s gardens, grasslands, and shrublands. Adults typically measure 3 to 4 inches in length, with elongated bodies, raptorial forelegs, and a triangular head capable of rotating nearly 180 degrees. Their wings are green or brown, blending seamlessly with foliage, while delicate veining hints at the elegance beneath their camouflage.

Arizona mantids are carnivorous hunters, feeding primarily on insects such as flies, moths, grasshoppers, and occasionally smaller mantids. They strike with lightning speed, grasping prey with their spiked forelegs before consuming it alive. By preying on insects, the Arizona mantis helps regulate local insect populations, while its patient, watchful stance and sudden bursts of movement make it both a masterful predator and one of California’s most captivating arthropods.

 

CREOSOTE BUSH KATYDID

Drawing: Oliver, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The creosote katydid is a slender, delicate katydid-like insect found in California’s scrublands, grasslands, and shrub-dotted landscapes. Adults typically measure 1.5 to 2 inches in length, with long, threadlike antennae and leaf-shaped legs that help them blend seamlessly with grasses and shrubs. Their coloration ranges from pale green to light brown, allowing them to remain nearly invisible among foliage.

The creosote katydid is herbivorous, feeding primarily on leaves, flowers, and tender plant stems, using its strong mandibles to nibble carefully while staying hidden. Shaping vegetation structure by consuming plant material, and serving as a food source for birds, small mammals, and predatory insects, it links the layers of California’s terrestrial ecosystems.

 

FIGEATER BEETLE

Drawings: Ryan, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025; Brenda, Huntington Library workshop, 2024

The figeater beetle, also known as the green fruit beetle, is a large, metallic beetle commonly found in California’s gardens, orchards, and open woodlands. Adults typically measure 1 to 1.25 inches in length, with a glossy green or bronze body that shines like polished enamel in the sunlight. Their robust, oval-shaped bodies and strong legs make them excellent climbers and flyers, often seen buzzing through fruit trees and flowering plants in warm weather.

Figeater beetles are primarily frugivorous, feeding on ripe fruits such as figs, peaches, grapes, and berries. The larvae, which develop in rich soil or compost, feed on decaying organic matter, contributing to nutrient recycling. By eating overripe fruit and decomposing plant material, the figeater beetle plays an important role in both nutrient cycling and seed dispersal, connecting California’s gardens, orchards, and wild landscapes.

 

TEN-LINED JUNE BEETLE

Drawings: Kirsten Rogers, Drawing for the Planet treasurer, 2024; Kendra, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The ten-lined june beetle is a large and distinctive beetle commonly found in California’s sandy soils, forests, and open woodlands. Adults typically measure 1 to 1.5 inches in length, with a robust body marked by ten cream-colored stripes running along a dark brown back. Its strong, ridged exoskeleton and fan-like antennae give it a sculpted, almost architectural appearance, especially when illuminated by sunlight.

The larvae of this beetle live underground for several years, feeding on roots of grasses and shrubs, while adults primarily feed on foliage and sometimes soft plant tissue. The ten-lined june beetle influences plant growth and soil health, and its long larval development makes it indispensable to California’s terrestrial ecosystems.

 

SOLDIER BLISTER BEETLE

Drawing: Charles, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The blister soldier beetle is a brightly colored beetle found in California’s deserts, grasslands, and open scrublands. Its name refers to the beetle’s striking, broad-colored bands across its body, usually black paired with orange or yellow. These bands serve as a warning to predators that the beetle produces cantharidin, a toxic chemical that can cause blistering. Adults typically measure 1 to 1.5 inches in length. Its soft, flexible exoskeleton and narrow head allow it to navigate among plants and flowers with ease.

This beetle is primarily herbivorous, feeding on flowers, leaves, and pollen, though its larvae are parasitic, often developing in the nests of solitary bees where they feed on bee larvae and provisions. Through its adult feeding and larval interactions, the blister soldier beetle impacts plant pollination and insect population dynamics, playing a significant role in the balance of California’s deserts and grasslands.

 

BANDED CUCUMBER BEETLE

Drawings: Erik and Luca, Laguna Art Museum workshop, 2025

The banded cucumber beetle is a small, slender beetle commonly found in California’s agricultural fields, gardens, and open habitats. Adults typically measure 0.2 to 0.3 inches in length, with a smooth, oval body adorned with bright yellow-green coloration and distinctive dark bands across the wing covers. Its agile legs and antennae allow it to navigate quickly across leaves, stems, and flowers.

This beetle is primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of crops such as cucumbers, squash, melons, and other cucurbits. Both adults and larvae can cause damage to plants, with larvae feeding on roots while adults consume foliage and fruits. However they serve as a food source for other beneficial creatures and also contribute to the breaking down of organic matter.

 

SMOKETREE SHARPSHOOTER

Drawing: Ace, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

The smoketree sharpshooter is a large, powerful leafhopper native to California’s deserts, riparian corridors, and shrublands. Its name comes from its habit of feeding on smoke trees, and from the term “sharpshooter,” which refers to leafhoppers that shoot excess sap away from their bodies while feeding. Adults typically measure about 0.4 to 0.5 inches in length, with a sturdy body and mottled brown, gray, and cream patterning that resembles bark or stone. Its broad head and strong wings give it a commanding presence for an insect, and it moves with sudden leaps or strong, buzzing flights between plants.

This sharpshooter feeds by piercing plant tissue and drawing sap from shrubs and trees, including desert plants such as smoke tree and willow. Using its needle-like mouthparts, it taps into the plant’s vascular system, feeding steadily while remaining alert to disturbance. Through its feeding behavior, the smoketree sharpshooter becomes part of the complex exchange between insects and plants, contributing to plant health and serving as prey for birds and other predators within California’s arid and riparian ecosystems.

 

WESTERN FOREST SCORPION

Drawing: Dean, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 2025

The western forest scorpion is a small, secretive scorpion found in California’s deserts, woodlands, and rocky landscapes. Adults typically measure 2 to 3 inches in length, with a slender body, narrow pincers, and a curved tail tipped with a venomous stinger. Its coloration ranges from pale yellow to light brown, allowing it to blend easily into soil, leaf litter, and crevices beneath rocks and logs.

This scorpion is a nocturnal predator, feeding primarily on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Emerging under the cover of darkness, it hunts by sensing vibrations in the ground, striking quickly with precision. By controlling populations of small arthropods, the western forest scorpion is an essential and silent hunter shaping its ecosystems at night unseen.

 

JOHNNY CASH TARANTULA

Drawing: Gwen, Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 2025

The Johnny Cash tarantula is a large, velvety-black spider native to the desert grasslands and rocky slopes of the Sierra Nevada foothills, California. Adults typically measure 2.5 to 3 inches in body length, with a leg span reaching up to 5 inches. Its dark, satin-like coloration absorbs the desert night, giving it a calm, unmistakable presence as it waits near its burrow or moves deliberately across the ground.

This species was scientifically described in 2015, making it a relatively recent addition to the catalog of North American tarantulas. It was named after American singer and songwriter Johnny Cash in tribute to its jet-black appearance—an echo of the musician’s iconic identity as “The Man in Black.” Its discovery near California’s Folsom region further deepened the connection—Cash famously performed live at the prison in 1968, recording the legendary album At Folsom Prison—linking this quiet desert dweller to a powerful thread of cultural and musical history.

A nocturnal ambush predator, it feeds primarily on insects such as crickets, beetles, and grasshoppers, and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards or mice. Rather than chasing prey, it relies on patience and sensitivity to vibrations, striking only when the moment is right.

 

Phidippus californicus

Drawing: Velouria, Grade 3, Top of the World Elementary, 2025

Phidippus californicus is a small but dazzling jumping spider native to California’s grasslands, shrublands, and open woodland areas. Adults typically measure about 0.3 to 0.5 inches in body length, with compact, stout bodies covered in short hairs that shimmer in shades of black, brown, or reddish tones. Its large, forward-facing eyes dominate its face, giving it keen vision and an alert, almost curious expression as it scans its surroundings.

This spider is a diurnal hunter, feeding primarily on insects such as flies, moths, ants, and small beetles. Unlike web-building spiders, it actively stalks and leaps onto prey with remarkable precision and speed, using its strong legs to pounce with accuracy. By preying on a variety of insects, Phidippus californicus controls pest populations, and helps maintain the order of California’s terrestrial ecosystems.

 

Habronattus americanus

Drawings: Anonymous, Laguna Art Museum workshop; Smokey, Grade 3, El Morro Elementary, 2025

Habronattus americanus is a small, agile jumping spider commonly found in California’s grasslands, open woodlands, and scrubby areas. Adults typically measure 0.2 to 0.3 inches in body length, with a compact, colorful body adorned with subtle patterns of brown, black, and sometimes iridescent hues, particularly in males. Its large, forward-facing eyes give it exceptional vision and an alert, inquisitive appearance, perfect for spotting prey and potential mates.

This spider is a diurnal predator, feeding primarily on small insects and other arthropods, including flies, ants, and tiny beetles. Like Phidippus californicus, Habronattus americanus leaps onto its prey, using agility and keen eyesight to capture its meals. Small but mighty, it regulates insect populations and adds a splash of colour on the canvas of California landscapes.

THE ARTISTS

Meet some of the gifted artists of California Wildlife, whose drawings capture the spirit, color, and wonder of the state’s remarkable creatures.

All participants lend their creativity and heart to this project, using paper and pen to produce a celebration of California’s wild beauty.

 

TOP OF THE WORLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 2025

 

EL MORRO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 2025

 

COAST FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL AND LAGUNA ART MUSEUM, 2025

 

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, 2024

Drawing for the Planet extends heartfelt thanks to our talented artists, our committed partners and schools, and the California wildlife that inspired every creation. Your meaningful contributions make the California Wildlife project possible.

PROJECT PARTNERS

ABOUT DRAWING FOR THE PLANET

Read about Drawing for the Planet’s mission here:

drawingfortheplanet.org/pages/our-mission

Follow us here:

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Support our work inspiring young artists, empowering communities, and helping protect wildlife—one drawing at a time by donating or becoming a DftP member here:

drawingfortheplanet.org/pages/donate 
drawingfortheplanet.org/pages/membership

ABOUT JANE LEE MCCRACKEN

Shh it's a Tiger! 2013 Biro drawing © Jane Lee McCracken

Jane Lee McCracken constructs intricate, multi-layered Biro drawings, sculptures, installations as well as product designs. Her work represents the beauty of life and its brutal realities, exploring the loss to both humans and animals caused by human destructiveness. She is the founder and CEO of Drawing for the Planet global art, environmental education and conservation charity. 

Over the last decade, she has raised funds for conservation organisations through her art and delivered drawing and environmental education workshops to thousands of people across the world. In 2019 she founded the Where Did All the Animals Go? project in partnership with Born Free and in 2021 Drawing for the Planet.

Explore Jane's art here:

janeleemccracken.co.uk

ABOUT LAGUNA ART MUSEUM

"Founded by local artists in 1918, Laguna Art Museum has collected and exhibited the best of California art at the center of our community for over 100 years. Our community of artists, donors, members, partners and participants comes together every day to build on this legacy and create an exciting future. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or live across the street, your experience at Laguna Art Museum is what moves us forward."

Visit Laguna Art Museum here:

lagunaartmuseum.org

ABOUT THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART MUSEUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

"The Huntington, a world-renowned cultural and educational institution, provides transformative experiences for a community of the curious. 

Founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, it supports research and promotes public engagement through its expansive library, art, and botanical collections. By cultivating dynamic scholarship, creating innovative programs for students and lifelong learners, and sharing its extraordinary resources, The Huntington invites all on a journey of discovery, insight, and connection. 

Our Mission | The Huntington shares its world-renowned collections to support scholarship, foster learning, inspire creativity, and offer transformative experiences for diverse audiences."

Visit The Huntington here:

huntington.org 

ABOUT COAST FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL

"The Coast Film & Music Festival is an annual showcase of adventure and documentary films and stories from the mountains to the sea, curated to entertain, inform, and inspire. The festival brings together a community of creators, change makers, and fans to celebrate adventure, the human spirit, conservation, and the art of story."

Visit Coast Film & Music Festival here:

coastfilmfestival.com

ABOUT SCHOOLPOWER

"SchoolPower is a non-profit education foundation with the mission to enrich the education and support the well-being of all children in the Laguna Beach Unified School District. We achieve our mission by providing programs, raising funds, and uniting the community in support of Laguna Beach students."

Visit SchoolPower here:

lbschoolpower.org

ABOUT LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

"Laguna Beach Unified School District serves approximately 2500 students in transitional kindergarten through grade 12 by providing comprehensive educational programs through its two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The District also provides a specialized preschool program and an adult education program. LBUSD is widely recognized as an outstanding district throughout Orange County and California. LBUSD has a clear, unwavering focus on student learning within a caring, supportive environment."

Visit Laguna Beach Unified School District here:

lbusd.org

ABOUT LAGUNA BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT

"To make Laguna Beach a safer community by protecting lives, property, and the environment through active prevention, public education, training, and emergency response."

Visit Laguna Beach Fire Department here:

lagunabeachcity.net/government/departments/fire