Stardew Valley's Ginger Island location provides plenty of adventure opportunities, and chances for the player to learn about the new environment. One thing that many players set out to do in this location is track down Golden Walnuts, which they can use to pay the local parrots for certain items and upgrades.
One fairly simple way to earn a few Golden Walnuts is to complete an ecological survey for Professor Snail, a local scientist. The questions he asks are straightforward enough, and Stardew Valley players can find the answers on their own if they explore the island and count diligently. However, since it can be easy to miss one or two specimens, here's a guide to Professor Snail's questions.
Freeing Professor Snail
In order to even be asked the questions in the first place, the player must first rescue Professor Snail from his current predicament. After paying 10 Golden Walnuts to be able to cross the bridge to the Ginger Island Dig Site, players will hear a cry for help coming from behind a boulder blocking a cave. The boulder can be found on the eastern side of the dig site, to the right of the stairs.
After blowing up the boulder with a bomb or explosive ammo, players can venture into the cave to find the grateful professor. He'll head back to his field office on Ginger Island North. Players can visit him here to drop off fossils for his collection, and be asked a question for his survey.
Professor Snail's Questions
The survey consists of only two qustions, both of which are multiple choice. There's no real penalty for getting the question wrong; just try again the next in-game day. Professor Snail will award the player with one Golden Walnut for each correct answer.
How Many Purple Flowers?
This is the first question players will be asked, and it involves a lot of legwork to answer on one's own. By roaming the island and noting each instance of the type of flower above, players can find 22 of these blossoms.
How Many Purple Starfish?
To find these little critters, explore the beaches of Ginger Island South and Ginger Island West. See above for a reference image of the pale purple sea star that Professor Snail is after. There's a total of 18 on the island.