Come join us on a tour! The time you spend here may give you insights into the history of Orange County and the current natural history of our diverse home. You can investigate the ancient history of the area, or learn of the modern animals
The museum can be broadly divided into two sections. The tile floor contains exhibits discussing the history of the County before man arrived. The carpeted areas display present day environments and inhabitants.
The first, largest and featured display of the museum is the skeleton of a pseudo-walrus, who lived in Orange County approximately 12 million years ago when ocean covered most of our region. This fossil was found in the Lake Forest area. He is a male pseudo (or fake) walrus. If we looked at his family tree, we would see animals similar to sea lions of today. But the descendant of Waldo looked more like a walrus than a sea lion, and had tusks over two feet long. Waldo's skull may contain clues to whether he was right, or left, "handed." Can you tell?
By the front door is a series of displays of dolphins, past and present. The mounted adult and baby were found in Newport Beach, while the fossils below are from Laguna Hills and are 8 million years old.
Other marine and terrestrial fossils from Orange County occupy the tiled section of the floor. Be sure to "excavate" your own personal fossil to start your collection.
Archaeology, the study of the life of ancient peoples, is discussed in the next display. Three Native American Tribes occupied Orange County at the time of Spanish settlement. These were the Juaneño in this area, the Luiseño north in the Rancho Santa Margarita area, and the Gabrieliño who lived throughout the Los Angeles Basin.
Invertebrates (animals without backbones) are displayed along the back wall of the museum. Insects, spiders and butterflies are displayed along with marine shells of ancient and recent age.
Living Orange County amphibians and reptiles are displayed next. Can you find the frogs? Their numbers are great indicators of the relative health of an environment. From king snakes, arch enemies of rattlesnakes, to the rosy boa who is a favorite with local children, the museum teaches that not all snakes are venomous. Venomous snakes are not dangerous if left alone, and play a useful role in the environment, by controlling rodent populations.
BUT, there are poisonous snakes in Orange County, and the Museum displays them. Look at the differences between the Speckled Rattlesnake and the Red Diamond Rattlesnake.
Birding is a popular pasttirne in Orange County. To
identify birds in the field, it is useful to observe them in detail. Through the
numerous mounted specimens available at the Museum, the birding enthusiast or
interested beginner can examine many of the birds common in the area.
Lecture Series
Each month, the Museum hosts an informative program on some feature of local natural history. Talks range from paleontology and archaeology to local birds study and raptor rehabilitation. Call the museum at (714) 487-9155 to get more information on each month's program. Admission to the lecture program is free.
Special Programs
Periodically, the Museum sponsors special programs for museum members. You might collect fossils of Miocene vertebrates, or band owls at night to track their movements. You can be involved by becoming a member of the Museum.
Children's Programs
Micropals, the children's program about small fossils introduces students to the science behind fossil collecting. Other programs include: spider safaris, bug study, birdwatching or other investigations of elements of our natural world.