‘PLEISTOCENE POP-UP’ ICE AGE FOSSILS ON VIEW
ICE AGE FOSSILS UNEARTHED IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
On View for Two Weeks in Exclusive Exhibit: ‘Pleistocene Pop-Up’ Sept. 30–Oct. 12, 2025
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History will present Pleistocene Pop-Up, a two-week exhibit showcasing new Ice Age fossil discoveries from Santa Cruz County. On view Sept. 30–Oct. 12, 2025, during National Fossil Month, the exhibit highlights the first local finds of Paramylodon harlani (Harlan’s ground sloth) and Megalonyx jeffersonii (Jefferson’s ground sloth), alongside scientific illustrations by local paleoartist Mason Schratter.
The Jefferson’s ground sloth bone was found by children in the Santa Cruz Mountains and later confirmed by paleontologists as the county’s first specimen of its kind. Around the same time, a Paramylodon bone was uncovered during construction of the Coastal Rail Trail in a terrace estimated at 85,000 years old. Though the two species rarely overlapped, their proximity in Santa Cruz offers new insights into the region’s Ice Age ecosystems.
“These fossils not only expand our scientific understanding of Ice Age Santa Cruz,” said Liz Broughton, the Museum’s Director of Visitor Experience, “they also highlight the vital role our community plays in preserving and protecting natural history.”
The exhibit also features additional Pleistocene specimens, including a reconstructed mastodon skull, and an interactive dig site for young paleontologists. Visitors will be able to compare the two giant sloths side by side, exploring their adaptations, diets, and habitats. In addition to the exhibit, the Museum will host a series of fossil-themed events throughout its run.
Special Fossil-Filled Events
Oct. 3: First Friday: Fossil Frenzy (Free Community Event)
Oct. 4: Fossil Family Fun Day (Free Community Event)
Oct. 5: Marine Fossils Paleontology Expedition
Oct. 8: Naturalist Night Lecture: Tracking California Dinosaurs
Oct. 9: Scientific Illustration Workshop: Fossils
Oct. 12: Photography Workshop: Fossils of Capitola’s Cliffs
Tickets and event registration are available at santacruzmuseum.org/events.
Exhibit Details
Dates: Sept. 30–Oct. 12, 2025
Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Admission: $5 Adults | $3 Seniors/Students | Free for Kids and Museum Members
