Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“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. We live in Santa...”
Gary, Santa Barbara - October 3, 2023
“Is there evidence of some ancient Chumash being disabled?”
Alan Salazar, Ventura - September 24, 2023
“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 in. T...”
Caitlin, Westside, Santa Barbara - September 21, 2023
“My mother had this basket for years, and it was in some of the stuff I saved after she died. Now I myself am in my 70's. I do not know if the basket is authentic or an imitation, although I do know t...”
Patti, Redlands, CA - September 18, 2023
“I believe we have quite a number of these spiders around our property but this had the biggest web so it may be actually be different from the rest? We have oak trees and it was suspended smack dab in...”
Cathy, Santa Paula - September 9, 2023
“Last week, in Buellton, I saw this caterpillar. I have two questions:
Is it a swallowtail caterpillar?
Is this the right season for caterpillars? I've seen swallowtail flying around my house (in Los...”
Karin, Buellton, CA - September 5, 2023
“Hi, I found this rock on the beach in Santa Barbara a few days after Hurricane Hilary. Just wondeting if this in an authentic artifact? Thanks, Mike”
Mike, Santa Barbara - August 23, 2023
“Hello,
The insect in the attached photos showed up outside the door to my home a few days ago and it is still there. The wings are 2 inches long and the insect is 3-3/4 inches long from wing tip to...”
Laurie, Santa Barbara - July 8, 2023
“I found what I think is a horse tooth on Hendry's beach. Is it old?? It's probably hard to tell from the photos. It's about 2 1/2 inches long. I'm guessing it washed down down a creek this past winter...”
Robert, Santa Barbara - June 18, 2023
“Are you able to tell what type of fossil this is? I found it near Hendrys beach. I saw part of it sticking out then I broke the rock open and found some more inside.”
Natalie, Santa Barbara - May 24, 2023