Wildlife Species Library

Crustaceans

Sculptured Slipper Lobster

Parribacus antarcticus

Meet the ocean's most elusive 'living rock.' With its flattened body and armor-plated shell, the Sculptured Slipper L...

Fish

Scup

Stenotomus chrysops

The Scup is the shimmering silver dollar of the Atlantic coast, known for its spirited personality and beautiful irid...

Insects

Scurfy Scale

Chionaspis furfura

The Scurfy Scale is a tiny architect of the backyard, building protective white armor that can coat the branches of f...

Fish

Sea Lamprey

Petromyzon marinus

The ancient, jawless 'vampire' of the waterways. The Sea Lamprey is a fascinating survivor from an era before the din...

Algae

Sea Lettuce

Ulva rigida

The emerald of the intertidal zone, Sea Lettuce is a vibrant, translucent seaweed that turns rocky shorelines into lu...

Birds

Seaside Sparrow

Ammospiza maritima

A hardy specialist of the coastal fringe, the Seaside Sparrow is a master of the salt marsh. With its robust bill and...

Birds

Sedge Warbler

Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

A boisterous and bold songster of the wetlands, the Sedge Warbler is easily identified by its striking white 'eyebrow...

Birds

Sedge Wren

Cistothorus stellaris

The Sedge Wren is a tiny, streaked marvel of the wet prairie, known for its secretive nature and machine-gun chatter....

Fish

Segmented blenny

Salarias segmentatus

With its quirky personality and striking banded pattern, the Segmented blenny is the busy gardener of the Pacific ree...

Fish

Semicircle Angelfish

Pomacanthus semicirculatus

A master of metamorphosis, the Semicircle Angelfish transforms from a striped sapphire juvenile into a speckled emera...

Birds

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

A pint-sized powerhouse of the shoreline, the Semipalmated Plover is a master of the dash-and-stop hunt. Known for it...

Birds

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris pusilla

Witness the frantic energy of one of nature's greatest travelers. The Semipalmated Sandpiper may be small, but its ma...

Birds

Senegal Lapwing

Vanellus lugubris

Meet the elegant Senegal Lapwing, an understated beauty of the African grasslands. With its striking white forehead a...

Ferns

sensitive fern

Onoclea sensibilis

A prehistoric survivor in your own backyard, the sensitive fern tells the story of the seasons with its frost-sensiti...

Mammals

Serval

Leptailurus serval

With its oversized ears and incredible leaping ability, the serval is the ultimate high-tech hunter of the African sa...

Insects

Setaceous Hebrew Character

Xestia c-nigrum

Named for the cryptic, ancient-looking symbol on its wings, the Setaceous Hebrew Character is a master of the night. ...

Birds

Seven-colored Tanager

Tangara fastuosa

One of South America's most breathtakingly vibrant birds, the Seven-colored Tanager is a living rainbow endemic to th...

Insects

Seven-spotted Lady Beetle

Coccinella septempunctata

The iconic 'C-7' is a gardener's most colorful ally, patrolling backyard plants for pests with its striking red-and-b...

Fish

Sharksucker

Echeneis naucrates

Meet the ocean's ultimate hitchhiker, a master of attachment that turns the world's largest predators into a personal...

Insects

Sharp-angled Carpet

Euphyia unangulata

A masterpiece of geometric camouflage, the Sharp-angled Carpet is a frequent but often overlooked visitor to damp sum...

Insects

Sharp-nosed Leafhopper

Scaphytopius acutus

The Sharp-nosed Leafhopper is a master of miniature camouflage, featuring a uniquely pointed head and intricate wing ...

Birds

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Meet the garden’s most agile aviator. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a master of stealth and speed, bringing the raw energ...

Birds

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Calidris acuminata

A champion of migration, the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper journeys across the globe with elegance and speed. Recognizable b...

Mammals

Sharpe's Grysbok

Raphicerus sharpei

The Sharpe's Grysbok is a tiny, grizzled ghost of the African bush. This solitary, nocturnal browser uses its salt-an...

Wildflowers

Sharpsepal Beardtongue

Penstemon tenuis

A lavender gem of the Southern wetlands, the Sharpsepal Beardtongue is a tall, elegant perennial that transforms damp...

Fish

Sharpsnout Seabream

Diplodus puntazzo

With its strikingly pointed profile and elegant silver stripes, the Sharpsnout Seabream is a master of the rocky surf...

Shrubs

sheep laurel

Kalmia angustifolia

With its clusters of brilliant magenta blossoms and hardy evergreen foliage, Sheep Laurel is a master of the acidic w...

Fish

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus

Recognizable by its bold 'convict' stripes and remarkably human-like teeth, the Sheepshead is the cleverest resident ...

Fish

Sheepshead Minnow

Cyprinodon variegatus

A pint-sized powerhouse of the salt marsh, the Sheepshead Minnow is famous for its stunning iridescent blue breeding ...

Mollusks

Shield Limpet

Lottia pelta

The Shield Limpet is a rugged survivor of the Pacific surf, known for its iconic ribbed shell and its remarkable abil...

Birds

Shikra

Tachyspiza badia

Meet the Shikra, the spirited 'pocket hawk' of the suburbs. This small but mighty raptor is a master of ambush, turni...

Birds

Shining Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes lucidus

A vibrant jewel of the Central American canopy, the Shining Honeycreeper is best known for its electric indigo feathe...

Trees & Shrubs

shining sumac

Rhus copallinum

Ignite your backyard with the brilliant crimson hues of the shining sumac. This stunning native shrub is more than ju...

Trees & Shrubs

shining willow

Salix lucida

The shining willow is a shimmering jewel of the wetlands, easily recognized by its 'lacquered' leaves that catch the ...

Birds

Shiny Cowbird

Molothrus bonariensis

A master of opportunism with a coat of shimmering violet, the Shiny Cowbird is a fascinating visitor to open landscap...

Insects

Shiny Flea Beetle

Asphaera lustrans

A miniature marvel of the insect world, the Shiny Flea Beetle dazzles with its metallic blue shell and golden spots. ...