Identification FAQs
The South Australian Museum is a vast repository of scientific knowledge and we receive many questions from the public about a range of topics. We have provided information on this page that will help you find many of the answers to your questions.
Can I bring something into the Museum to be identified?
For the safety of our staff and the protection of the Museum’s collections, we will not accept any specimens for identification or donation without a prearranged appointment.
If you are looking for an identification in response to a bite or sting, please seek professional medical advice. If it is an emergency, please call 000 immediately.
Biological Questions
How can identify the biological and geometric specimens I have found?
We recommend you upload the photograph(s) of the specimen together with the location information to iNaturalist, which helps to identify the plants and animals around you, with help of over a million scientists and naturalists, including those working here at the South Australian Museum.
By recording and sharing your observations, you will create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature, and also get identifications of species you have found – it’s a win-win!
Watch the video tutorials below to learn more:
I can’t identify an insect/pest, what are the next steps?
If you are a primary producer, business or industry group looking for insect or pest identification, please contact SARDI at the Department for Primary Industries and Regions: Insect identification service - PIRSA
If you are an individual, seek the services of a pest control company.
The CSIRO also has some useful guides to support insect identification:
If you are looking for an identification in response to a bite or sting, please seek professional medical advice. If it is an emergency, please call 000 immediately.
Geological Questions
For identification and valuation of gemstones, precious stones, or jewellery, please seek the services of a jeweller. We cannot value stones or jewellery.
I think I have a meteorite, can I get it identified?
Meteorites are rare objects, and in the last forty years the Museum has received just three confirmed meteorites.
Before sending us details about the item you have found, please follow the below steps to confirm if the sample is a meteorite before we investigate further.
Visual inspection – does the specimen contain any holes, air bubbles or voids? If the answer is yes, it is highly unlikely you have a meteorite.
Density – is the object heavy or light? Meteorites are very heavy, even if they are small, so if the specimen is relatively light, a meteorite is again ruled out.
Magnetism – is the rock magnetic? If not, or weakly so, it is highly unlikely to be a meteorite. You can test this by seeing if a strong magnet is attracted to your object.
Scratch test – if you scratch the object down the back/unglazed section of a standard tile, what colour is left behind? If the scratch is silver, then it may be a meteorite. If it scratches black, yellow or red/brown, it is unlikely.
Head to our YouTube video for helpful guidance and resources on conducting these tests.
If after completing the above tests you believe there is a strong likelihood of the sample being a meteorite, you can email us with high quality photos and as much information as possible about when and where the sample was found.
Our collection managers will be in touch with you if there is a good chance your sample is a meteorite and communicate about next steps. The Museum recognises all new discoveries with the presentation of a personalised meteorite finder’s medallion.
Is it legal to sell meteorites?
No. In South Australia it is not legal to sell meteorites. Due to legislation passed by the State Government in July 1980, all meteorites found in South Australia after that date are legally the property of the South Australian Museum and are to be cared for in our collection. This means that any sample we confirm to be a meteorite will need to be kept by the Museum.
Ambergris Questions
I think I have found ambergris, what are the next steps?
Ambergris is produced in both male and female whales. It is a byproduct of the indigestible elements of the large quantities of cephalopods such as squid and cuttlefish they eat, think beaks and pens.
Although the formation process of this specimen is not fully understood, some scientists think the whale will pass the mass (if small), whereas others believe the obstruction is likely to be released following the animal’s death - whales pass liquid rather than solid faeces as they have difficulty releasing solid objects.
With an estimated 850,000 Sperm Whales world-wide (Whitehead & Shin Scientific Reports 2022), ambergris sources are relatively limited. With the cessation of commercial whaling, the population appears to be increasing, although good data is lacking. Historically whaling records indicate ambergris is found in about 1-3% of sperm whales.
Before sending us details about the item you have found, please follow the below steps to confirm if the sample is ambergris before we investigate further.
Ambergris has a specific gravity lower than water, so it floats even on freshwater. If you place your sample in water and it sinks to the bottom, it’s unlikely to be ambergris.
It melts in hot water of above 65C – always handle hot water with care.
Heat the end of a needle or paperclip until red hot, then push it in the sample. If it is ambergris, the area immediately surrounding the needle will melt into a dark liquid which boils vigorously. When the needle is withdrawn, it will pull find waxy strings from the sample. It will also leave a tacky residue on the needle. The area where the needle was inserted, will appear shiny dark brown to black. After the initial ‘burnt rubber’ smell, the characteristic scent of ambergris, somewhat ‘sweet, musky’ odour, with a hint of ‘dung’ or Brazil nuts, will come from the still soft, warm substance. Please note that this test should only be conducted by adults under controlled conditions. Children should not attempt this test.
Video demonstrations of these tests can be found online. The above tests will exclude 95% of objects commonly mistaken for ambergris.
If after completing the above tests you believe there is a strong likelihood of the sample being ambergris, you can email us with high quality photos and as much information as possible about when and where in South Australia the sample was found.
If what I have is not ambergris, what could it be?
Jetsam: Material or goods that have been washed ashore, examples include fats, plastics, resin, low quality amber, waxes, degraded oils of various sorts and driftwood.
Balloon sponges (usually Geodia sp.): Found in shallow water marine environments. Following storms, these sponges may be dislodged and then washed ashore. Strongly odorous as they rot.
Ascidians (sea squirts): found in shallow water marine environments. Following storms, solitary an/or colonial ascidians may be dislodged and then washed ashore. Strongly odorous as they rot.
Contacting the Museum
If you have an identification question which is not answered on this page, you can contact us.
Please note that we are unable to answer every email individually, but your question will help us to keep this page updated with information that the public may want to know. It will also inform the topics covered in social media posts and dedicated identification days.
You can find our social media pages here: