The party won’t just happen inside the Academy’s walls. Claude’s presence will be felt across San Francisco throughout the month. His mascot popped up at a Golden State Valkyries game on Tuesday and will make an appearance at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park’s Flower Piano sometime this month. A citywide “Claude Quest” is planned on Sept. 5 and will have plushie Claudes scattered around the Bay Area for lucky seekers to find and keep.
For grown-up fans, the Academy’s popular NightLife will get a Louisiana twist on Sept. 11, where guests can enjoy rice balls topped with cajun chicken jambalaya, honoring Claude’s origins in the bayous of Louisiana.
The following week, on Sept. 17, the museum will host an upscale celebration they are calling a Swamp Soirée, with a seated dinner prepared by San Francisco’s own Top Chef winner, Melissa King.
Claude himself, though, will remain in his swamp habitat — lounging on his favorite heated rock or floating motionless just beneath the water. As an albino alligator, Claude lacks pigment in his skin and eyes, giving him his signature white appearance and pinkish-red eyes.
Claude moves around infrequently because he is an ambush predator. He’s just following his natural instinct to stay still and undetectable in water in case something swims by that he wants to eat. His minimal movement also helps him conserve his energy. (Courtesy of California Academy of Sciences)
The condition also means his vision is poor, so he relies heavily on sound. For years, the Academy’s care team trained him with audio cues for feedings and health checks.
Like most alligators, Claude continuously loses and regrows teeth — up to 3,000 in a lifetime. Visitors sometimes spot his shed teeth sparkling at the bottom of the enclosure. He shares an enclosure with three female snapping turtles — Donatello, Raphael and Morla — who are estimated to be at least 50 years old.
Claude arrived at the Academy after taking a four-day road trip from Florida to California in the back of a pickup truck.
Claude is often a picture of serenity, whether on his rock or floating in his swamp. (Courtesy of Gayle Laird © California Academy of Sciences)
For fans who can’t make it in person, the Academy launched a “Claude-cam” earlier this year. Viewers around the world can watch him swim, bask, or snooze. They can even submit birthday messages through the Academy’s website.
“There’s really something new happening every day. It’s going to be a fun, big birthday bash all month long. And we are so thrilled to welcome everyone to join,” Peach said.
“He really brings joy to so many people each year.”