Zoology collections

With over one million specimens and representing 95% of bird species, the bird collections are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world. 

Our mammal collections are one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The fish collections include important historical material collected by James Cook, Charles Darwin and Mary Kingsley.

The museum’s large collection of amphibians and reptiles is one the longest maintained collections in the world, originating in the late eighteenth century.

The cnidaria collections include corals, jellyfish, sea anemones, octocorals and hydroids, with approximately 20% of the specimens known to be types.

The most significant collection of Bryozoa in the world, containing around 30% type material.

Wide-ranging and rich in Arachnida type specimens.

Our collections cover all of the living invertebrate phyla.

Our microbiology collection includes extant protozoan protists.

Comprehensive and significant, the Mollusca collection is in constant demand.

The Crustacean collection contains material across all Orders.

One of the largest and most comprehensive collections of parasitic worms.

Of international importance, containing an estimated 50-70% of the world’s Porifera type material.

Our deuterostome collection invertebrates contains about 10% type material.

The Annelida collection, including Echiura, Sipuncula and free-living nematode worms, contains a wealth of important and historic material.

We have set out on an ambitious programme to develop a new science and digitisation centre. As we prepare for the move, access to some collections will be affected.

Scientists and collections management specialists can visit the collections and borrow specimens for research.

Our duty is to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our collections.