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iNaturalist

Every plant and animal anybody has photographed and posted, mapped, with a community that will identify your mystery beetle within hours.

Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.

How to get the most from it

iNaturalist sits in Nature & Animal Cams under Wander, filed as rabbit hole.

  • Open it when the evening is free. It has no natural stopping point.
  • It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
  • It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
  • No account needed — you can start without signing up.
  • Go in expecting something brainy, wholesome and useful.

About this category: Nest cams, reef cams, feeders and trackers. The best possible thing to leave open on a second monitor and glance at occasionally.

Good for

  • A long evening with nothing planned
  • Giving your brain a workout
  • Something kind-hearted
  • Getting something practical done
  • A quiet break at your desk
  • Killing time on your phone
  • Trying it with zero commitment

iNaturalist: quick answers

Is iNaturalist free?

Yes. iNaturalist is free to use and needs no account.

Do I need an account to use iNaturalist?

No. You can use iNaturalist without signing up for anything.

Does iNaturalist work on a phone?

Yes. iNaturalist works on phones as well as desktop browsers.

Is iNaturalist safe for work?

Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.

How long does iNaturalist take?

We file it as "Rabbit hole": Clear your evening. We warned you.

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