Where your curiosity contributes to science.
Identify plants, animals, fungi, and more while adding to a living atlas of life on Earth.
Join the communityFree, nonprofit, community-powered.
With iNaturalist, you can:
Identify
plants, animals, fungi, & more
Track
species you've seen worldwide
Discover
nature nearby
Contribute
to real science
Learn
from a global community of naturalists
The power of community science
Rediscovering long-lost species
The Frosted Phoenix moth hadn't been spotted in decades and was once thought extinct — until a tourist in New Zealand spotted it by accident.
Seen by pav_johnsson in New Zealand
Discovering new-to-science species
Inimia nat — abbreviated to I. nat — is a new-to-science mantis species found by a woman in Australia walking in her neighborhood.
Seen by glendawalter in Australia
Protecting local ecosystems
A group of local volunteers in California came together through iNaturalist to protect migrating amphibians crossing a busy road.
Seen by tcuriel in United States
Every observation tells a story
- Where
-
Barrio Flaminia, Heredia, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica
- When
-
Mar 25, 2023 · 8:38 PM CST
300M +
observations contributing to biodiversity science
550,000 +
species documented across the globe
7,000 +
papers citing iNaturalist data
500 +
species discovered or rediscovered by community scientists
Observe
Open the app and photograph any wild plant, animal, fungi, or other organism — from your neighborhood or anywhere in the world.
Identify
The app suggests an identification instantly, and a global community of naturalists confirms or refines it.
Contribute
Your observation becomes open data — used by scientists, conservationists, and researchers worldwide.
Nature is changing faster than ever, so we need you to help record what lives where.
It has really helped me with species identification, in addition to giving me the opportunity to interact with different people around the world.
Dzivula Gube
Marine Conservationist & Underwater Photographer, Kenya
iNaturalist opens the door to so much new and exciting research on understudied taxa. In my opinion, this platform is the cutting edge of ecological science.
Chris Alice "Alie" Kratzer
Field Guide Author at Owlfly LLC, USA
iNaturalist and its dedicated community of identifiers became an invaluable resource in my explorations. It helped lay the foundation of my current work.
Amila Sumanapala
Biodiversity Researcher, Sri Lanka
iNaturalist is a powerful tool that connects people, nature, and knowledge. I can photograph a rare species, or even one that has not yet been described, and at the same time, I contribute to conserving our natural heritage.
Nágyla Fachetti Coser
Environmental Technician and hobby photographer, Brazil
No matter where in the world you are, whether you have a PhD or just love the outdoors, iNaturalist will bring you closer to nature and many fellow naturalists.
Carlos G. Velazco-Macias
Biologist, Mexico
Everyone is a naturalist
If you've ever looked closely at something living and wondered what it was, iNaturalist is for you.
You can make an impact
Every photo you share becomes part of a global scientific record that researchers worldwide depend on.
The nicest place online
Come for the identifications, stay for the community and impact on science.
Download the iNaturalist app
Get real-time identifications & contribute to science
700,000+ Downloads
Explore species worldwide
cryokinesis
Goldenrod Crab Spider
Misumena vatia
Sainte-Adèle, QC J8B 1N9, Canada
adrian2370
Woolgoolga NSW 2456, Australia
myconeer
Momorangi Bay 7281, New Zealand
luca_dt
Wilton, Wellington, New Zealand
srichakrapranav
Visakhapatnam Urban, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
swordgrass
white fawnlily
Erythronium albidum
Cucumbertree Trail, Athens, OH, US
alex_shure
Beverly, MA, USA
shou_1221
Pareora West, ニュージーランド
liznoble
ruby bonnet
Cruentomycena viscidocruenta
Sydney NSW, Australia
moth_nut
Boronia Beach Track, Kingston Beach, TAS, AU
abhiapc
Ranipuram, Kerala, India
bektemirosmonali
Каракиянский район, Казахстан
ohwhen
Common Sunburst Lichen
Xanthoria parietina
X5W5+M9, Lancaster LA2 0BS, UK
timlindlof
Eurasian Otter
Lutra lutra
Kristinestad, Finland
tetracerus
San Mateo County, CA, USA
cicciocostarica
Hairy Oyster Mushroom
Panus lecomtei
Coto Brus, Puntarenas, CR
andrewpavlov
Willie Wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys
Woolgoolga NSW 2456, Australia
lloyd_esler
Southland, New Zealand
oscarkokako
King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island
xoabird
Southern Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri walleri
Isiolo North, KE-IS, KE
Under 13? Download Seek!
Earn badges and take part in challenges to observe species!
20,000+ 5-Star Reviews
Get our monthly newsletter!
Stay connected with stories and discoveries from the iNaturalist community.
Sign upiNaturalist is a nonprofit organization that supports science and conservation.
Your support makes that possible.
Donate nowFAQs
Can I upload photos I already have?
Yes! As long as you know roughly when and where a photo was taken, older photos are welcome.
Who can do science with iNaturalist observations?
Anyone! All iNaturalist observations are open and freely available — to researchers, conservation practitioners, and curious individuals alike.
What does "research grade" mean?
When the community agrees on an identification, an observation becomes "research grade" and enters the global scientific record. Every identification can help get it there.
Do I need to know what I'm looking at?
Not at all! Share a photo, and a global community of naturalists can help you identify it.
Do I need to use the app?
On a desktop, iNaturalist.org works great. On a mobile device, the app gives you the best experience — especially for identifying species on the go.
