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.

“I found some interesting Rocks that look like fossilized eggs but have no ideas to what they are. Size is approximately that of an A4 sized paper. I have uploaded pictures where found thereof here......”
Anthony, Tanzania - January 9, 2022

Read the Answer

“Hello, this funny little bug crawled up onto my phone a few days ago and we have no idea what it is. I’ve asked around and nobody has been able to figure it out. I was hoping you could pass the pictur...”
Domanique, Santa Barbara - December 8, 2021

Read the Answer

“Do you know what these are? There are several clusters on one of our tomato plants.”
Jane, Santa Barbara - November 23, 2021

Read the Answer

“Hello Dr. Chaney and Dr. Geiger, I recently procured two scaphopod shells from the nature exchange. I plan to gift them to my brother, who inherited an extensive shell collection from a relative. Unf...”
Harrison - October 31, 2021

Read the Answer

“Hi, Thsi question is for both your Ornithology and Chumash Artifacts curators. There is a well documented flock of local parrots that have roosted in Montecito for many decades. You may be familiar...”
Christopher, San Roque - October 28, 2021

Read the Answer

“Hello,  My son and I were wondering if this is a grasshopper. If so, which species?”
Hans, Newbury Park, CA - October 28, 2021

Read the Answer

“I am reading The Noontide Sun. In the book by Arlene Benson based off Stephen Bowers. He says he found two mortars. Carved from whale vertebrae. Did these make it to the SBMNH? Very curious to see wha...”
Joshua, Frazier Park - October 18, 2021

Read the Answer

“Hi, I found this in my yard this morning and thought it was a Clathrus ruber but it has a stalk. Flies are attracted to it but I don't want to smell it. If you could be so kind to identify, I would a...”
Julie, Glen Carbon, Illinois - October 11, 2021

Read the Answer

“Hello, I recently came upon this cotton-like mass engulfing a green caterpillar. Looking closer the cotton-like mass contained perhaps hundreds of wiggling white larvae. I've been unable to locate an...”
Scott, El Paso, Texas - September 26, 2021

Read the Answer

“I went to sniff a flower in my yard and it was chowing down on a bee!”
Ann Fox, Santa Barbara County - September 23, 2021

Read the Answer