Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“I am hoping you can help me with a TON of very strange insects that have shown up in our 50 gallon horse trough. In cleaning the bottom I scooped up about 50 of them along with the sludge. We ha...”
Cynthia, Santa Barbara County - November 9, 2020
“Hi. I was wondering what kind of praying mantis this is and do you know if it’s a male or female? If it’s a female is she pregnant?
Thanks”
Candice, Yorba Linda Ca - October 29, 2020
“Hello,To whom shall I direct my inquiry on the identification of the snake in my attached photo?The photo was taken by my cousin John on the shore of Lake Isabella in Kern Co....”
Gail - October 6, 2020
“Can you identify the spider that makes these beautiful bubble/balloon webs? I have never seen such interesting webs in Santa Barbara/Goleta area, only back at a family cabin in the Los Padr...”
Gail, Santa Barbara, CA - September 29, 2020
“We found a dead cougar on a turnout on highway 101 at Gaviota on Sunday, 9-20-2020. I phoned the wildlife people at California's Fish and Wildlife Department, and they had it picked up. Fish and...”
Leo, Santa Barbara - September 22, 2020
“I know that garnets come in several different colors but I'm not too sure about all of the different shapes these stones are found in. You can pick most of these up with a typical magnet. ”
Ken, Ventura - September 21, 2020
“Please identify the attached pictures as I am uncertain of their names.
Thanks,
Lewis Rubin”
Lewis Rubin, Santa Barbara - September 19, 2020
“Hello,
A few months ago I came upon this very odd looking coastal rock formation that I initially mistook to be a rotted piece of old driftwood. But examining it closer, saw it is pure st...”
Todd Cook, Wilmore, KY - September 16, 2020
“Were building on the Mesa and dug up a sea shell fossil. I'm wondering if you can tell me more aboiut it. I have attached an image but am happy to bring it over if you would like.
K...”
Lynn, the Mesa in Santa Barbara - August 31, 2020
“Hello SB Natural History Museum,
I think it's wonderful that you provide this ask-a-curator service, thank you. My question:
My daughter and I found a rock that looks a lot l...”
Brent, Santa Barbara - August 29, 2020
