Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“I saw what looked like a catfish on Leadbetter Beach on 6/20/26. Seagulls had eaten most of the flesh, but the head was still intact. I've read that ocean catfish exist, but have not heard...”
David Bothman, Santa Barbara - July 12, 2026
“I was searching for images of traditional oak gall dolls and was referred to your site. However, I couldn't navigate to your collection of dolls.
We will be making the dolls on June...”
Mary, Morgan Hill California - June 2, 2026
“I found these two rocks while I was digging in my backyard. I live in the Rancho Goleta mobile home park.
one looks very distinctly like an arrowhead and the other one... maybe, it's...”
Barb, Goleta - May 25, 2026
“Hello!
Can you tell what this is that is sitting on the blue-eyed grass?
Thanks!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - April 6, 2026
“Hello-
My granddaughter and I observed some creatures at minus tide on New year’s day 2026 that I’ve never seen before.The photo I’m providing does not adequately...”
Mujiba, Santa Barbara - January 29, 2026
“Hello! I am a student at UCSB, and on a recent walk on the lagoon island I found this mushroom. I uploaded it to iNaturalist, and got several Blewit (more specifically Lepista tarda) id...”
Sam, Isla Vista/University of California- Santa Barbara - January 28, 2026
“Hello,I think this might be a Coast Live Oak, so is this an oak wasp gall?Thanks!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - January 23, 2026
“Hi! I read the article about finding a Joro spider locally. Wondering if this is also a Joro spider? I took this photo in Toba, Japan in early December 2025. Thanks!”
Nick, Santa Barbara - January 16, 2026
“Hi, my wife found this years back while hiking near Figueroa Mountain. I just realized we've never tried to have it identified. To me it looks like a large shark tooth similar to a great white....”
Tom, Buellton - January 4, 2026
