Museum open Wed–Mon, Sea Center open daily; both 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Recently Asked

Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.

“Hello,I found some bones on the beach in Shell Beach, CA, in early August (2023), put them in a bag, and unfortunately forgot about them till now. Would you be able to identify them? I'm...”
Toni, Pismo Beach, CA - January 11, 2024

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“Hello, I was captivated by the California grizzly bear specimen in the Mammal Hall. Can you please tell me more about it, i.e. when/where it was collected? I tried using the database search func...”
Marissa - December 17, 2023

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“This duck is a new resident at Alice Keck Park. You can see how long his neck is. When he stands up, he is very straight upward holding his head high in the air. Not scooched over like regular m...”
Gretchen, Santa Barbara - November 25, 2023

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“What were the four words of the Lone Woman that established that her language was not Chumash but Cupeno instead?”
Kelly, Berkeley, CA - November 13, 2023

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“Hello! Is this a type of jumping spider? Thanks!”
Kevin, UCSB - October 25, 2023

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“Hi there, Came across this skull lying atop the rocks along the beach of Smugglers Cove on Santa Cruz Island earlier this month. My best guess is feral pig, but unsure... ”
Eliot, Santa Barbara - October 15, 2023

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“Found this in seaweed washed up at Hope Ranch Beach.”
Pam, Santa Barbara - October 3, 2023

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“Last night I saw this scorpion on the living room rug, and I put a drinking glass over it so I could take a picture.  It's just under 1 inch with it's tail curled up as in the photo. ...”
Gary, Santa Barbara - October 3, 2023

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“Is there evidence of some ancient Chumash being disabled?”
Alan Salazar, Ventura - September 24, 2023

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“Just found what I think is fungi growing out of the base of my apartment wall and I'm praying it's not cause for a speedy evacuation. But I'm not even sure it's fungi; hoping an expert can weigh...”
Caitlin, Westside, Santa Barbara - September 21, 2023

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