Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“I found this bug by our back door. It's not made any sound except for flittering, so I don't think it's a cricket or a cicada. Our door was open last night but I didn't hear it until today,...”
Caitlin, West Side - May 2, 2025
“Hi, I recently discovered this piece while hiking on a trail near Buellton. (I can be more specific about location through private communications if need be). It is an area where I have fou...”
Dylan, Buellton - April 26, 2025
“What did I find right near the wharf?”
Louis, The wharf - March 31, 2025
“Hello! Do you know what type of butterfly this is? I thought maybe Painted Lady, but not sure.
Thanks!”
Kevin, UCSB - March 18, 2025
“Hi - I found a horn shark egg on Padaro Beach on February 27, 2025. I was told I should let researchers know about it. Do you have contact info for researchers who might like to know...”
Julie - March 12, 2025
“I found this bone on the Arroyo Burro beach west of the stairs. Can you tell me what animal it is from? My son thinks that it may be a dolphin jaw bone.”
David, Santa Barbara - December 10, 2024
“Hello! I was wondering if you could help me figure out what this is...we found it at the UCSB beach. We tried to save it, but it looked like we might have been too late :-(”
Marc, UC Santa Barbara - July 27, 2024
“While my 10-year-old daughter was wading in the ocean near the shore of Catalina Harbor, she found this bone? tooth? We brought it onto our boat for examination and to snap some pictures. Can yo...”
Cassandra, California - July 9, 2024
“Thank you for identifying the last fungus to Phellinus gilvus.
I attached 2 more photos I assumed were Phellinus gilvus, that I took from coast live oak in a park...”
Robert Weiss, Photo taken in santa barbara park - June 5, 2024
“Can someone identify this conk?
All 4 photos are from same conk on valley oak (Quercus lobata) near Pinnacles National Park.”
Robert, California - June 1, 2024
