Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“Any idea as to what species this is and why does it appear to have three antennae that are pointing to the rear of its head? The antennae also appear to be transparent, what is that item that ru...”
Ken, Ventura - May 17, 2021
“Was breaking apart some sandstone boulders to dig some very old marine fossils out of them and came across this very strange, very small insect, it's about maybe 1.5mm in size. Is this some sort...”
Ken, Ventura - May 13, 2021
“I was hoping you would tell me if the different designs on the back of ticks have any meaning (ie: male or female, type of tick) or are they just random decoration? Thank you.”
Shirley, Santa Barbara - May 7, 2021
“We found this black beetle with pincer-looking horns on our second story balcony, hanging out in the afternoon sun on the stucco. It was probably about 0.75 inches in length. Can you tell what i...”
Scott, Gutierrez and Calle Cesar Chavez - April 30, 2021
“hello,
I am a wildlife biology student and I want to go into museum collections work, what are the skills and requirements for those types of jobs one should know? what level of edu...”
Carl, Bemidji, MN - April 29, 2021
“Can a mineral such as jasper which is composed mostly of Si, morph into something that is composed mostly of Ca?”
Ken, Ventura - March 31, 2021
“I found this insect in our kitchen and it's body is around 1 cm long (maybe a bit more). Could you identify it and provide any information about e.g. if it is usually isolated or where it nests?...”
Shreyas, Goleta - March 17, 2021
“I found a piece of, what appears to be, petrified wood on a Santa Barbara beach agaist the cliffs. Is this a piece that the museum would be interested in given I obtain proper permissions to ret...”
Ted, Santa Barbara - March 13, 2021
“I found this very strange large insect last night on my outdoor mat. It has the body of a bee black and yellow stripes. But it looks like the head of a grasshopper. I can send you a photo of it?...”
Lynn, Santa Barbara - March 4, 2021
“I am working in Santa Barbara and hike after work. Are there any public mortar sites or food processing sites? I have seen some in San roque, San Antonio creek parks. Are there more we can view?...”
Joshua, Santa Barbara - March 2, 2021
