Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“Can you identify the spider that makes these beautiful bubble/balloon webs? I have never seen such interesting webs in Santa Barbara/Goleta area, only back at a family cabin in the Los Padr...”
Gail, Santa Barbara, CA - September 29, 2020
“We found a dead cougar on a turnout on highway 101 at Gaviota on Sunday, 9-20-2020. I phoned the wildlife people at California's Fish and Wildlife Department, and they had it picked up. Fish and...”
Leo, Santa Barbara - September 22, 2020
“I know that garnets come in several different colors but I'm not too sure about all of the different shapes these stones are found in. You can pick most of these up with a typical magnet. ”
Ken, Ventura - September 21, 2020
“Please identify the attached pictures as I am uncertain of their names.
Thanks,
Lewis Rubin”
Lewis Rubin, Santa Barbara - September 19, 2020
“Hello,
A few months ago I came upon this very odd looking coastal rock formation that I initially mistook to be a rotted piece of old driftwood. But examining it closer, saw it is pure st...”
Todd Cook, Wilmore, KY - September 16, 2020
“Were building on the Mesa and dug up a sea shell fossil. I'm wondering if you can tell me more aboiut it. I have attached an image but am happy to bring it over if you would like.
K...”
Lynn, the Mesa in Santa Barbara - August 31, 2020
“Hello SB Natural History Museum,
I think it's wonderful that you provide this ask-a-curator service, thank you. My question:
My daughter and I found a rock that looks a lot l...”
Brent, Santa Barbara - August 29, 2020
“Hi,
I recently found this rock, which looks like a Chumash pestle or grinding stone, near a construction site at Hendry's beach. Do you think it is real? Is it something I should turn in...”
Melinda, Santa Barbara - August 28, 2020
“Hello, I was wondering what the numbers taped to the floor by the observatory were used for. I assumed they were for stargazing. Thank you.”
Victor Ramos - August 13, 2020
“Good afternoon. Would you be so kind to please help me identify the bone of the images attached to this question. My brother found it on a beach in the western part of my country, El Salvador, C...”
Ana Luisa Roque Valdovinos, San Salvador, El Salvador, Central America - August 8, 2020
