Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Vertebrate Collections:

Fish
Amphibians & Reptiles
Birds
Mammals

Vertebrate Zoology Home

Welcome to Vertebrate Zoology

• What was that bird I saw during my morning beach walk?
• What is the best way to avoid being bitten by a snake?
• Which local animals are endangered?

The Department of Vertebrate Zoology is your local resource for helping you learn about and enjoy the environment around us.

The Museum originally was founded as The Museum of Comparative Oology in 1916 and these same collections are housed within the Vertebrate Zoology Department. Historic collections contain specimens from as early as 1849 and have grown to a regional collection of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and eggs, and mammals containing over 40,000 specimens!

The Department is always active preparing, cataloging and archiving specimens within our collections, while overseeing the animals in the exhibits. As a public resource, we value our role in answering public queries and helping scientists, students, and the private sector utilize our collections for research. The staff scientists conduct both contracted and personal research.

For collection queries or further information regarding the Vertebrate Zoology Department, click on an email address below or phone us at (805) 682-4711.

Paul W. Collins, Curator, Ext. 154
Specialist in terrestrial mammals, reptiles and amphibians, birds
pcollins@sbnature2.org

Krista A. Fahy, Associate Curator, Ext. 155
Specialist in birds, marine mammals
kfahy@sbnature2.org

Michelle L. Berman, Assistant Curator, Ext. 156
Specialist in marine mammals, marine mammal stranding coordinator
mberman@sbnature2.org