What You Can Do, What You Can Ask, and Activity Suggestions; or return to Tips.
There are a number of exciting things to look for as you visit the African Mammal Hall and the two North American Mammal Halls here in the museum. All three halls contain dioramas, which are displays that feature a mounted animal in a realistic habitat. The second floor North American Mammal Hall also has a number of concept exhibits, displays that address a concept related to the halls such as the definition of a mammal or the difference between horns and antlers. You may want to use this “Special Six” list of displays to help guide your visit. As you visit each of these six, you may want to consider concepts such as habitat or adaptations to guide your questioning.
1. Elephant Watering Hole: African Mammal Hall
See the many different species that share this savanna “hot spot.”
2. Leopard up a Tree: African Mammal Hall
Be sure to look at both sides of the hall to get the whole picture.
3. Grizzly Bear Group: North American Mammal Hall (Floor 1)
This is the closest your students can get to a squabble over grizzly bear food.
4. Musk Ox in winter: North American Mammal Hall (Floor 1)
See this amazing mammal in its harsh tundra environment.
5. Polar Bears on Ice: North American Mammal Hall
(Floor 2)
Gain insight into a polar bear’s icy world.
6. Exhibit Creation Display: North American Mammal Hall (Floor 2)
Find out how the museum staff create these lifelike diorama
If you are particularly interested in bears, here is an additional list of
Bear Sightings within the Natural History Museum
- Marvel at the diorama depicting grizzlies being captured for sport by vaqueros in the 1840's, using only horses and lariats.
California History Hall, ground floor.
- Have your picture taken getting a bear hug from a magnificent upright polar bear.
Discovery Center, First floor.
- Join a mother black bear and her cubs in Yosemite Valley.
North American Mammal Hall, Second Floor.
- Find the Bear Totem inside the Craftsman House.
Native American Hall, mezzanine.
- Locate the Ceramic Bear Fetish and the Bear Effigy Pot.
Native American Hall, mezzanine.