Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“My name is Rosey, I am the Park Naturalist at Cachuma Lake. One of the visitors sent me these pictures of a beetle she found, somewhere off Paradise Road in the rocks. It was dead. Is it a Rhino...”
Rosey, Santa Ynez Valley - February 20, 2021
“I recall years ago hearing that there were people living in this area prior to the Chumash. The name I recall for these earlier people was "Oak Grove" people. However, a search of the web using...”
Wes Chapin, Somis, CA - February 16, 2021
“If I were to go out at night with a flashlight, how likely would it be for me to find some owls? Also, where would I have the highest chance of seeing owls? I'm 13 years old and I went out...”
Oliver, Santa Barbara - February 6, 2021
“In a recent Instagram post, there was a picture of a Fairy Tub that was submitted. Do they glow in the dark? Do they glow under UV light? Do you know where I can find mushrooms/fungi that glow i...”
Tyrena, SBMNH - February 2, 2021
“Dear museum scientists,
while camping on Paradise Rd near the Santa Ynez River in August, I found what appears to be a tool of some sort in the dry river bed. I am hoping to hear if...”
Bret Klopfenstein, Ventura, CA - January 16, 2021
“What kind of nest is this? Large, deep, rounded with a depth of about 2 feet. Made with branches, not sticks. Very close to the ground, with a "front door"
Thank you!”
Carol, Valley Center California - January 10, 2021
“Are you interested in gathering this for the butterfly exhibit?”
Bruce, Santa Barbara - January 5, 2021
“Hi! I'm wondering if you can tell me about the age and possible origin of this fossil which we found when digging in our yard in the Ojai valley. It cracked open along the fossil line when it wa...”
Rose, Ojai, CA - November 28, 2020
“I found this huge hornet looking thing outside our home in Santa Ynez. It's about an inch and a half, almost 2 inches. It's still alive and under glass right now. Can you tell me what it is and...”
Diana, Santa Ynez - November 21, 2020
“I found this while digging in a creek bed on our property ( Cold Spring area) My question is, "what is it?"
Thank you for your time.”
David, Cold Spring area, Montecito - November 12, 2020
