Living Collections | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
The Living Collections bring you the world!
Visit the Discovery Center!
The Discovery Center is all about the hands-on. We have real bones, minerals, furs, and fossils. We also have a dinosaur dig pit and a giant T. rex puzzle. Learn more >
I Saw This Bird Once...
Visit the Ornithology FAQs page to find out more about the flying fauna in your neck of the woods.
Learn more >
Support Today's Scientists, Inspire Tomorrow's Scientists
When you give to the Museum, you support our scientists' research on the planet's biodiversity. You are also creating tomorrow's scientists. Our teacher resources make each field trip a learning experience, our education outreach brings the science of discovery to schools all over L.A. Learn more >
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Living Collections
"But I thought the Museum only had dead stuff!"
Think again! We are proud to present to you a LIVING collection with over 35 species of vertebrates (animals with a backbone), and an ever-changing collection of over 100 species of invertebrates (animals without a backbone)! See who calls the Discovery Center home >
"But why are they here?"
Our goal is to share with you our passion for these beautiful, often misunderstood creatures and draw out the deep and meaningful connections that can be made between your life and theirs. This collection can personally introduce you to the earliest vertebrates on land, the foundations of the food chain, and some of the dinosaurs' closest “cousins" -- just for starters!
Live animals can provide a personal connection with the natural world like no other educational tool can!
Expertly Maintained Exhibits
Our live animal exhibits in the Discovery Center have been praised far and wide as models of good husbandry. The animals in our care have some of the best homes around, and our animal keepers rock!
Professional Resource
Why won't my snake eat? Where can I adopt a reptile? What kind of turtle do I have?
We often get questions from the public about the proper care of their own personal "living collections." We do our best to stay abreast of new developments and research in the fields of animal care and husbandry. Even If the questions are not within our realm of expertise, we can always give professional referrals.
List of resources and links >
Dynamic Educators
Our team of Animal Keepers are also trained interpreters! We work with our Gallery Interpreters to provide you with some of the highest quality, most dynamic presentations in the field. We are also proud to work with our Research and Collections Curators to give you a deeper understanding of your natural world.
Did you know some snakes have "legs"?
Our highly trained and thoughtful team of professional educators will happily share with you all they know about these fascinating animals in one of our daily Live Animal Presentations.