Vertebrate Zoology Collections Access Policies

This department welcomes visitors with a serious interest in some aspect of vertebrate biology.

Specimens may be examined in the Museum with a prior appointment. Loans are routinely made to researchers at recognized institutions (museums, universities), usually for a period of six months (although extensions are routinely made). The Vertebrate Zoology department allows invasive dissections of specimens with prior permission, but only on specimens represented by multiple examples from single localities. Permission for less invasive dissections (e.g. for sex determination) are granted routinely. Responses to questions/requests pertaining to taxonomic and geographic aspects of the collections are handled expediently.

The Museum’s central library and curatorial offices in this department contain hundreds of books and journals pertaining to various aspects of vertebrate zoology, and visitors are welcome to use these resources with a prior appointment.