Recently Asked

Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.

“Do you have anything in your museum that pertains to the legend of a 19th-century Native American woman who lived alone for 18 years on remote San Nicolas Island, off the coast of California? Th...”
Stephanie, San Antonio, Texas - November 24, 2018

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“We have a wildlife camera in our yard on the Riviera and captured these two critters the night of 7/21. (See the face of #2 at the lower left edge of the photo.) Not enough tail for bobcat,...”
Leslie, Santa Barbara's Riviera - July 22, 2018

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“My son and I found this little guy on a walk up to Nojoqui falls. I think it must be a moth but I've never seen one like this. Is the museum interested in hearing about every odd plant and bug w...”
Christian, Goleta - July 12, 2018

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“Hi Curators, I keep finding rocks on the beach around here with many small, perfectly round holes in them. Is this a human-made thing, or something natural?”
Dan, Santa Barbara - July 12, 2018

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“Hi Curators, We take frequent walks along Hendry’s beach and over the years have collected “tons” of rocks, sea glass, and a few occasional transportable whale bone foss...”
Jeff, Bel Air Knolls - May 25, 2018

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“Hello, My work colleague found what appears to be a very tiny nest. I have attached 2 photos. Can you tell us what sort of creature built such a nest? And is the museum interested in taki...”
Suzanne, Santa Barbara - May 23, 2018

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“I have come across a very interesting rock on a friends property above the Ojai Valley. Looking for someone who might have some idea what it is. Any help is appreciated.  Thanks,...”
Nile, Ojai - May 22, 2018

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“What can be done about the loss of monarch butterfly habatat and their exclusive milk weed food? What can be done to restore the Ellwood Mesa monarch overwintering site? There is i...”
Larry Dighera, More Mesa - May 7, 2018

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“I have some bats living in the wall of my garage.  I am replacing the siding on the garage and need to relocate them.  What is the best thing to do?  ”
Bruce, Mission Canyon - April 18, 2018

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“Hi Curator, A couple years ago I saw this thing on the beach that was an absolute mystery. It was mostly transparent, and at first I thought it might be a piece of plastic, but when I loo...”
Jan, Goleta - April 17, 2018

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