The Florida Museum of Natural History is one of the best places in Gainesville to visit for a great day of fun and educational experiences. With many different types of exhibits that cover all of the natural history that is found throughout the world, there is something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in learning about the animals and plants of the planet or just enjoy the beautiful architecture, there is something for you. Read on for some ideas.
Mollusk collection
If you are interested in mollusks, the Florida Museum of Natural History is a great place to visit. Located in Gainesville, FL, the museum has a collection of more than 275,000 mollusks. The collection includes specimens from around the world.
The Florida Museum of Natural History’s mollusk collection is comprised of three different sections. These include the mollusc type collection, the freshwater mollusk collection, and the marine mollusk collection. Each section has its own specific focus.
The freshwater mollusk collection includes a wide range of aquatic species. It includes a variety of gastropods, bivalves, leeches, and cephalopods. This collection is made up of about 2,000 catalogued lots.
The mollusk type collection contains primary and secondary types of about 800 species of mollusks. Most of the species in this collection are from the North American continent.
Ichthyology collection
The Florida Museum of Natural History has a vast collection of ichthyology specimens. These include trophic fish, aquatic invertebrates, marine and freshwater plants, and vertebrate fossils. The Florida Museum of Natural History, located in Gainesville, FL, is home to the nation’s second-largest ichthyology collection.
The Ichthyology Collection contains over 90,000 cataloged lots. It represents a wide range of time periods. From the 19th century through the present day, the museum’s specimens are preserved and represent life stages from larval through adult.
The collection also contains a rich selection of materials from neighboring waters. Many fossils were found within a hundred miles of the museum.
A significant portion of the flora and fauna collection is comprised of specimens from the tropics. This collection includes a vast amount of material from Brazil, Venezuela, and Costa Rica. Explore more!
Discovery Zone
The Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, FL is one of the top five natural history museums in the country. Visitors can take part in interactive exhibits and discover fossils from the past. Several children’s exhibits are available, as well. There are also several traveling exhibits that change periodically.
One of the museum’s permanent exhibits is the “Beverly and Jon Thompson Discovery Zone,” which is designed to inspire children in science inquiry. This new 2,000-square-foot exhibit opened in July. It features true-to-scale touchable objects such as a meteorite and a T. rex skull, as well as science-oriented interactives.
Another permanent exhibit is the Butterfly Rainforest, which features a large variety of butterfly species. The exhibit also features waterfalls and tropical flowering plants.
Research and Scientific Collections
The Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH) is a natural history museum located at the University of Florida in Gainesville. It is a specialized state-supported natural history museum.
FLMNH collections include specimens from all areas of natural history, from fossils to archaeological materials. It is a scientific research base for biodiversity and the sustainable development of natural resources. Most of the museum’s exhibits are free to the public. There are two gift shops that carry specialty items.
The museum’s Lepidoptera collection is the world’s largest. This collection helps scientists answer questions about evolution and biodiversity.
Other collection highlights are the mammal collection, which contains over 30,000 catalogued specimens. It is used in biomedical and law enforcement studies, as well as as a teaching resource.
South Florida People and Environments
Florida has long been the setting for historic drama since the dawn of mankind. There are more than a dozen original Native American tribes who ruled the Sunshine State. They left behind a host of interesting artifacts, many of which can be seen at the Florida Museum of Natural History. The museum features numerous exhibits devoted to both the natural and manmade wonders of Florida.
A journey through the South Florida estuary is the perfect setting for a fun, interactive experience. Visitors can take in a full-scale mangrove forest, sample a simulated water, or get a feel for the complexities of the coastal ecosystems by taking a self-guided scavenger hunt. Using touch screens, visitors can explore the myriad nuances of the wetlands. Check this helpful information.
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