Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“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
“Around 2008 your museum was going to display the mammoth skeleton found in Moorpark. Is it there now, if not where did it end up?
Tnx,”
Nicholas, Moorpark, CA - November 15, 2025
“I found what I believe to be a vertebrae on the beach after a storm, and I'm curious which type of creature it may belong to. It is 1-1/4" long and 1" in diameter. A small hole runs through the...”
Lori, Ocean City, NJ - November 9, 2025
“Hello, I am wondering if beavers are native to Santa Barbara, specifically along the Santa Ynez River. I have heard from different biologists both that beaver are and are not native to the area....”
Lindsy, Santa Barbara - November 6, 2025
“Hello!
Can you tell what type of spider this is? It's wrapping up a honey bee.
Thanks!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - November 3, 2025
“Hello!
Can you tell what this is?
Thanks!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - August 13, 2025
“Hello!
Can you tell what type of beetle this is? Very tiny.”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - August 4, 2025
“This moth was on our patio floor and was franticly spinning around and around.”
Ronald, Santa Barbara CA. - July 31, 2025
