💜 Saber-toothed cat spotted on the purple carpet! Big thanks to @metrolosangeles for inviting Cali over for the Metro D Line Extension Grand Opening Celebration! Plenty of smiles and smilodon sightings all around. Wilshire runs deep and so does L.A. pride! When will you be taking your first ride?

Friday, June 12, step into the Ice Age (and onto the dance floor) at an all-ages Summer Nights party with @kcrw.com and the #TarPits! Explore the Museum after hours, groove to DJ sets, enjoy food trucks, and more.  Make memories before our makeover begins! Free to RSVP: go.nhm.org/kcrw-summer-...

🪶 #DidYouKnow: Due to their delicate nature, bird bones rarely fossilize, making their discovery at Rancho La Brea extraordinary. More than 140 species have been uncovered from the Ice Age tar seeps, 23 of which have gone extinct. Discover more and see the full list: go.nhm.org/tar-pits-birds

The #NHMLAC Spring Week of Giving starts 𝙉𝙊𝙒. May 4 through 8, all gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000, thanks to an anonymous donor!  Help us reach our goal, directly supporting programming, research, and collections! Make your gift today: onecau.se/weekofgiving...

#DidYouKnow: Fossil plant material from Rancho La Brea consists of wood, leaves, cones, seeds, and microscopic remains of diatoms—some from the immediate area, while others may have been transported by floodwaters or streams. Learn more on our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/watch?v=cDk4...

Each La Brea seep is its own Ice Age time capsule. As asphalt emerged at different times, different ecosystems were trapped, preserving life thousands of years part in neighboring pits like 3, 4, and 61/67, pictured here. Dig deeper into our excavations: tarpits.org/experience-t...

Each #EarthDay is a chance not only to celebrate the planet, but also to reflect on our shared connection to nature—thread.

By understanding the past and present of the world around us, we gain a better appreciation for our environment and for all who share it—an idea that mirrors the #NHMLAC’s mission to inspire care for our natural world and the vibrant communities within it.

Why did so many dire wolves get stuck in tar pits? Why did they disappear? Better yet, are they 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠? Through vintage animations and behind-the-scenes interviews, uncover new discoveries about these iconic Pleistocene predators and the role humans played in this Ice Age drama. youtu.be/Cc8tCgSLa8Y

I’m glad I moved to LA in time to see it before it was renovated. And hopefully be around to see it after. It is a very cool museum

La Brea Tar Pits to close on July 6 for renovation https://la.urbanize.city/post/la-brea-tar-pits-close-july-6-renovation

In two weeks, join us as we celebrate the paperback release of Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s “What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures” with a special after-hours event at the #TarPits! go.nhm.org/climate-danc...

🐾 Sink your teeth into a new era! For nearly 50 years, La Brea Tar Pits has been one of L.A.’s most beloved treasures, and it's about to become something even 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 extraordinary—thread.

🐪 Every day is hump day for 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘶𝘴. Sometimes known as "yesterday's camel," this extinct species was thought to be closely related to the living llamas from South America—but recent DNA evidence suggests that it is probably ancestral to Old World camels: go.nhm.org/ancient-camel

Wonder what it's like to go behind the scenes at La Brea #TarPits? Watch as Kid Scientist Dee gives you a sneak peek of our Insider Tour! See all available dates and book your tour today: go.nhm.org/tar-pits-tour

🌎 Saturday, April 25, join us to celebrate the paperback release of Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s “What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures” at a special after-hours event at the #TarPits! Tickets and full event details: go.nhm.org/climate-danc...

🌱❄️ Dig into the past (literally). Learn how to plant your own Ice Age Garden and help preserve 60,000 years of biodiversity, no time machine required: go.nhm.org/PlantingIceAge

We’re just days away from STEAM Family Day at the #TarPits! Enjoy themed activities, meet STEM pros, visit vendors, and more, including a discussion with #NHMLAC speakers Dr. Christine Wilkinson, Juliana Soto-Patiño, and Kriss Leftwich. Free with Museum Admission: go.nhm.org/steam-day-2026

🔬 Final weeks! Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in studying the #NHMLAC Collections? If you’re currently enrolled in an accredited degree-granting program, apply for our Student Collections Study Awards now through April 1—details: go.nhm.org/study-award

🐚 Did you know? Many invertebrate fossils—including more than 20,000 mollusk specimens and over 100,000 arthropods—have been recovered from the #TarPits. These findings, when fully studied, offer information about environmental conditions in the late Pleistocene: go.nhm.org/lbtp-inverte...

Saturday, March 21, join us for STEAM Family Day at the #TarPits! Participate in STEAM activities, meet STEM professionals, plus discussions, live music, vendors, and more! Free with Museum Admission: go.nhm.org/steam-day-2026

🤏✨ Small but spectacular! Fossils of reptiles, amphibians, and fishes aren't easily detected at the #TarPits because they're discovered as microfossils measuring between 1-4 mm in size. Smaller vertebrae recovered on-site is through processing matrix from Pit 91 and Project 23.

Your exclusive backstage pass to the Ice Age is 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦! Go behind the scenes with scientists, sort real fossils, and explore bubbling tar pits up close with newly added #TarPits Insider Tour dates through May: go.nhm.org/tar-pits-tour

Educators! Saturday, March 7, join us for a workshop focused on climate change conversations. In this workshop, hear from Brayden Meredith (Senior Manager, Interpretive Training) about teaching communication centered around the topic of climate. Space is limited—RSVP: go.nhm.org/educator-wor...

🦷 Fierce, fast, and iconic—meet the California saber-tooth. 𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴 had blade-like teeth and powerful forelimbs that were built for taking down large prey. Learn more about the iconic Ice Age predator at TARPITS.org

Discover Ice Age L.A., on us. We're excited to participate in the SoCal Museums Free-for-All Day Sunday, February 22! 📍 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Will we see you on #FreeMuseumDay? Advance tickets are required for the #TarPits Museum—save your spot today: go.nhm.org/free-for-all...

The Last California Wolf was killed more than a hundred years ago, and now, they’re back. Explore their history and future with “Wolves vs. California,” a documentary from #NHMLA in collaboration with National Geographic. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArKy...

🦖🦣 Next week, join award-winning Graphic Novelist, Animator, Filmmaker, and Science Communicator Ted Rechlin as he goes head-to-head with #NHMLAC experts to crown the toughest dino and Ice Age era champions! Don’t miss “Prehistoric Fight Nights” February 20 and 21: go.nhm.org/prehistoric-...

⛏️ This block of bones was excavated back in 1914 from one of the smallest pits at the #TarPits, Pit 81, and contains numerous fossil bones and shows the amazing density of specimens found in the excavations. Explore more amazing discoveries at TARPITS.org!

🦖🦣 Who will reign supreme?! February 20 and 21, join us alongside Rextooth Studios’ Ted Rechlin for an epic battle to crown the toughest champions of the dino and Ice Age eras with “Prehistoric Fight Nights” at the NHM Commons Theater: go.nhm.org/prehistoric-...

The pygmy mammoth was a separate species from the wooly or Columbian mammoth that adapted to island life. 𝘔𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴 was the size of a large horse, which was an advantage to their diet and navigation compared to their mainland cousins. View the pygmy mammoth at La Brea #TarPits!

🪲 About 100 species of insects have been identified from recovered #TarPits fossils. Most of these, particularly bugs and beetles, were aquatic, as a thin layer of water over the asphalt would attract such insects. They would then get stuck in the asphalt while feeding or laying eggs.

ICYMI 🦣 We're proud to announce the creation of the Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research, which will be the scientific and research backbone of the reimagined La Brea #TarPits, bringing Ice Age research and the museum into the future! Learn more: go.nhm.org/reimagine

The La Brea Tar Pits’ new star attraction, Zed the mammoth, was discovered when workers were digging out an underground parking garage near the gurgling black pools. on.wsj.com/3YVfqtn

La Brea Tar Pits receives largest-ever donation toward new Ice Age research center as part of campus makeover

🐳 A new temporary exhibition is coming to #NHMLA this spring, and we want your thoughts on our upcoming campaign! If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, share your thoughts—your feedback will help us plan for future exhibitions: go.nhm.org/es-0126

🦴 Calling all Educators! Saturday, January 24, join us for an Educator Workshop all about fossil conservation—from the cause of deterioration and mitigating damage, to the detective work behind fossils excavated a hundred years ago. View full details and register today: go.nhm.org/ew-012426

A warm welcome to Ben Rotenberg, Fossil Preparator at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History! Here, you can see Ben working on a potential whale fossil still covered in asphalt—the specimen itself comes from Carpinteria asphaltum deposits and is part of @sbnature.bsky.social’s collection.

🔎 From prehistoric giant lizards and ancient raccoons to newly discovered spiders and heroic extinct dugongs, #NHMLAC researchers had a busy 2025! Meet some of the coolest creatures newly described, along with other inspiring discoveries: go.nhm.org/2025-discove...

Meet the largest surviving Ice Age predator: the coyote, 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴. Coyotes survived climate upheaval, changing diets, and the loss of giant prey to become one of L.A.'s most adaptable survivors. Discover more about these Ice Age predators during your next visit to the #TarPits Museum!

Take a step back into #TarPits history in the heart of Hancock Park! Stroll the paths, watch real excavations, and see science in action right in the heart of L.A. When will you be visiting? Plan ahead at TARPITS.org.

Closure Advisory ⚠️ Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our visitors and staff, the Museum will close at 3pm on Wednesday, December 24, due to the impending storms. Stay safe and dry out there!

✔️ Enter the Lake Pit ✔️ Selfie with the Columbian mammoth family ✔️ Sort real microfossils ✔️ Support our science Dig deep into the history and discoveries of La Brea #TarPits with our first-ever official Insider Tour on select dates: go.nhm.org/tar-pits-tour

Did you know Hancock Park is home to plants that echo L.A.’s Ice Age past? #TarPits scientists have recreated this prehistoric landscape with the Pleistocene Garden, representing the native vegetation of the L.A. Basin 10,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Ever wanted exclusive access to the #TarPits? Beginning December 20, join an expert guide on select dates for a tour of the site, meet researchers, sort real micro fossils, and fuel crucial research while inspiring the next generation of paleontologists.  Book your tour: go.nhm.org/tar-pits-tour

From saber-toothed cats to P-22, L.A. has been the home of iconic big cats for ages. In celebration of “Fierce! The Story of Cats” on view at @nhm.org, meet some of the bygone big cats that called the South Land home. youtu.be/-PvAbUGnxgc

🦌 Small but speedy! The Dwarf Pronghorn once darted across Ice Age Los Angeles, a tiny relative of today’s pronghorns that called the region home thousands of years ago. Fossils found at the #TarPits help us uncover how these pint-sized runners thrived in a world of giants.

🎁 Still looking for that special gift? From dinosaurs to fierce felines, celebrate the holiday season with #NHMLAC gifts that spark awe! Shop exclusive collections both in-store and online: shop.nhm.org

🫏 How did donkeys and pumas help resurrect extinct food webs in Death Valley? Learn how #TarPits research reveals how mountain lions have adapted lost Ice Age predator-prey dynamics, while restoring desert wetlands through preying on wild donkeys: bit.ly/BurroingInto...

Discover how 20,000 years after the ice age’s coldest snap, Los Angeles is still the city of cats through #TarPits research and “Fierce! The Story of Cats”, on view now at @nhm.org. nhm.org/cats