Claude the Albino Alligator Turns 30, California Academy of Sciences Celebrates with a Monthlong Birthday Bash

Festivities throughout September include daily giveaways, a cupcake-filled birthday bash and singalong, citywide plushie search, swanky Swamp Soirée with Top Chef’s Melissa King and more.

The California Academy of Sciences is gearing up to celebrate one of our most iconic residents: Claude, the beloved albino alligator, who turns 30 on Sept. 15. From Sept. 1-30, the museum will host a fun-filled, ongoing birthday bash for the “hatchday” boy at the museum and across San Francisco.

IN THE MUSEUM
Beginning Monday, Sept. 1, museum visitors can enjoy meet ‘n’ greets with the Claude Mascot, daily giveaways*—including limited-edition screen printed posters designed by California College of the Arts students, exclusive pins, stickers, temporary tattoos, and plushies—alongside special programs like storytime readings of a brand-new children’s book, “The Curious Color of Claude,” a large-scale participatory public art installation by Nigel Sussman, Claude crafts, and more. Festivities also include a Swamp Soirée seated dinner on Wednesday, September 10 featuring Top Chef All Star winner Melissa King, a special Claude’s Big 3-0 NightLife celebration on Thursday, September 11 (21+), a public birthday bash with a fish “cake” for Claude and complimentary cupcakes* for guests on Sunday, September 14, and cupcakes* on Monday, September 15. See below for details and the full slate of events taking place at the museum in September.

ACROSS THE CITY
Claude’s birthday celebration will also extend beyond the museum walls. He recently made a brief on-screen appearance at the Outside Lands Music Festival ahead of albino-alligator-fan Doechii’s set. On Friday, Sept. 5, a citywide “Claude Quest” plushie search will give people the opportunity to find and keep 30 plushie Claudes and additional prizes hidden all over the Bay Area. On Wednesday, September 3, and Monday, Sept. 15, Claude’s caretakers will bring the celebration to San Francisco Public Library with a free storytime reading of the new Claude children’s book. Plus, Mascot Claude will visit the Gardens of Golden Gate Park’s popular Flower Piano (date TBA). Claude’s influence will show up in food and drink, too: During the month of September, MIXT Inner Sunset on 9th and Irving will offer a new kid’s bowl, “Claude’s Chomper,” and Oakland United Beerworks will offer a special edition Claude IPA “The Big 3-0” at their taproom and at the Academy’s Cafe and Terrace restaurants. Eagle-eyed commuters can also spot super-sized Claude on billboards across the Bay, and in BART stations and on MUNI shelters in San Francisco. 

JOIN ONLINE
While the in-museum festivities are not to be missed, Claude fans around the world can still join the celebration from afar by submitting a hatchday message online and tuning in online to watch Claude receive a birthday fish “cake” on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. Fans can also watch Claude in real time—lounging, swimming, or snoozing—via his very own webcam, launched in April 2025 in partnership with San Francisco-based research lab Anthropic, whose AI assistant happens to share his name. Plus, starting Monday, September 1, you can Claude-ify your own digital devices with downloadable Claude Zoom backgrounds and digital wallpapers at calacademy.org/claudesbig30.

LEARN THE LORE
Claude hatched in 1995 at an alligator farm in Louisiana, and came to live at the Academy in 2008 in the new Renzo Piano-designed facility. His presence builds on over 100 years of alligators at Steinhart Aquarium, which has included a fan-favorite Swamp exhibit since the Aquarium’s opening in 1923. While Claude is the first alligator with albinism at the Academy, the modern Swamp pays homage to the past with the original seahorse railings from more than a century ago. While turning 30 is a major milestone, American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) living in human care like Claude can live up to 60-70 years. For more history and facts about Claude, see our 30 Fun Facts Sheet.

CLAUDE’S BIG 3-0 PROGRAMMING:

For details and a full schedule of programs, visit calacademy.org/claudesbig30.

Claude’s Big 3-0 Daily Activations at the Museum Sept. 1-30

To celebrate Claude’s Big 3-0, every day in September the museum will feature festive birthday celebrations. Highlights include:

• Meet ‘n’ greets with the Claude Mascot every Saturday, plus selected dates
• Daily giveaways, including limited-edition posters, plushies, enamel pins, temporary tattoos, and stickers*
• A large-scale participatory public art installation by Nigel Sussman, where hundreds of guests-colored illustrations will be turned into “scales” on a giant Claude sculpture
• Storytime readings of the newly written children’s book “The Curious Color of Claude”
• New Claude video installation, selfie-station, and visuals in the Swamp and Aquarium, including models of a hatchling Claude and textured alligator skin (touchable!)
• Claude crafts on Mondays and Wednesdays, including Claude-inspired art, puppet-making, and a birthday message station
• Swamp Talks to learn about Claude’s species, natural habitat, and albinism
• Exclusive Claude merchandise in the store
• Claude birthday IPA “The Big 3-0” by Oakland United Beerworks available for sale at the Academy’s Cafe and Terrace and during NightLife 

Claude Storytime Reading at San Francisco Public Library

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 11 a.m. – Visitacion Valley Branch, 201 Leland Ave.

Monday, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m. – Main Library Branch, 100 Larkin St.

Young readers are invited to a special storytime featuring The Curious Color of Claude, a new children’s book written by Academy Creative Director Rhonda Rubinstein and illustrated by Michael Bartalos. A member of Claude’s care team will read aloud as we follow Claude on his journey to understand why he looks different from other alligators—a gentle, heartfelt celebration of curiosity, self-discovery, and what makes each of us unique. Plus, guests will have the opportunity to grab a photo with Mascot Claude!

Claude Quest, a Citywide Plushie Search
Friday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m. until all prizes are found
We’re bringing the Claude celebration to businesses all over the Bay Area, with 30 stuffed Claude plush toys hidden for seekers to find (and keep!). Follow us on Instagram to get the list of prize locations and live updates on availability. A few lucky winners can snag an extra large plushie, a one year family membership, or tickets to the exclusive Swamp Soirée!

Swamp Soirée

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m.

Celebrate the hatchday boy with a one-of-a-kind swanky swampside celebration featuring Top ChefAll Star winner chef Melissa King. The evening kicks off with live jazz and craft cocktails in the museum’s Piazza, followed by a gourmet seated dinner beside the beloved birthday gator. Come dressed in your best all-white attire—just like Claude—and cap off the night with dessert, drinks, and dancing. Plus, opportunities to bid on exclusive experiences and unique gifts. Tickets start at $650 and proceeds benefit the Academy’s mission to regenerate the natural world.

NightLife: Claude’s Big 3-0 (21+)

Thursday, Sept. 11, 6-9 p.m.

Toast to Claude’s many happy returns at an after-hours party fit for a swamp king, featuring: 

• Live “Portraits with Claude” drawing by Nigel Sussman, and live Claude postcard/poster screenprinting with Haight Street Art Center
• A sneak peek of new electronic music by Diego Ellis Soto, composed especially for the Academy by turning Claude’s subtle, everyday movements into music. Soto’s composition will be available to guests of all ages as part of new public programs launching this winter.
• Tunes by DJ RIETA
• Special “Piña Claude-a” cocktails and limited-edition Claude “The Big 3-0” IPA beer from Oakland United Beerworks 
• Special edition NightLife x Claude merchandise by Spooky Haus and San Franpsycho
• Claude Plushie claw machine (try your hand, keep a Claude!), exclusive merch giveaways*, and more!

Claude’s Hatchday Party!

Sunday, Sept. 14

Join us for a blowout birthday bash with unforgettable festivities throughout the day, including: 

• A giant Happy Birthday sing-along with a special fish “cake” for Claude and cupcakes* for the humans (including Claude’s care team!), by Minia’s Bake Shop (11 a.m.) – also streaming online!
• Claude Mascot meet ‘n’ greet photo opportunity
• Claude crafts
• Claude swag giveaways
• Extended Swamp Talk presentations to learn about Claude, his species, habitat, and albinism (11 a.m., 3:30 p.m.)

Live Illustration Workshop with CCA

Saturday, Sept. 20 and Friday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

California College of the Arts (CCA) faculty and students will lead a live drawing workshop for guests to try their hand at illustrating the illustrious birthday boy under the masterful instruction of professional artists. Plus, stop by the Curiosity Grove Gallery to see the beautiful Claude-inspired artwork made by recent CCA students especially for the hatchday occasion.