Museum and Sea Center open daily, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Recently Asked

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

“Can you explain why these plants grow in a donut shape or circle?”
Bob McMahan, Ojai - March 22, 2019

Read the Answer

“Hi, We have these beautiful mushrooms growing beneath a bush in our yard. Can you tell me what they are? An ID forum I belong to thinks they're Chlorophyllum rhacodes, a type of...”
Daryl Metzger, Santa Barbara, CA - March 21, 2019

Read the Answer

“I have a nest that blew out of a tree in the recent storms.  I’m pretty sure it is a squirrel’s nest   Online I read that it is possible to get certain diseases from squirr...”
Susan Hopkins, Goleta - February 4, 2019

Read the Answer

“Our kitchen window in the Shadow Hills development at the top end of Via Chaparral looks across about 325 yards to the opposite side of San Antonio Canyon in the vicinity of the dam.  On a...”
Doug Caldow, Santa Barbara - January 31, 2019

Read the Answer

“Just saw four of these birds high in a tree in Alice Keck Park’s park for the first time. Really loud squawking. Very small short pink wattle hanging down neck but no pink on head so I rul...”
Jane, Santa Barbara Alice Keck Park - January 22, 2019

Read the Answer

“I found this dark heavy bone while walking on the beach after the storm on Friday night. What is it? Could it be part of a sea lion? Why is it black and super heavy? ”
Benjamin Van Heusden, Santa Barbara - January 14, 2019

Read the Answer

“I came across a bone while I was walking on the beach.  Do you know what animal it came from and what part it is?  Thanks!”
Dawn, Goleta (bone found at Haskells, going west) - December 7, 2018

Read the Answer

“Do you have anything in your museum that pertains to the legend of a 19th-century Native American woman who lived alone for 18 years on remote San Nicolas Island, off the coast of California? Th...”
Stephanie, San Antonio, Texas - November 24, 2018

Read the Answer

“We have a wildlife camera in our yard on the Riviera and captured these two critters the night of 7/21. (See the face of #2 at the lower left edge of the photo.) Not enough tail for bobcat,...”
Leslie, Santa Barbara's Riviera - July 22, 2018

Read the Answer

“My son and I found this little guy on a walk up to Nojoqui falls. I think it must be a moth but I've never seen one like this. Is the museum interested in hearing about every odd plant and bug w...”
Christian, Goleta - July 12, 2018

Read the Answer