Identification and general science
If you’ve come across something you can’t identify, or you’d like advice from our scientists, please contact us in one of the following ways.
We can help with enquiries on the following topics:
- Insects and spiders
Email us or go to our Insect Identification Services - Fossils
Email us or go to fossils Contact and enquiries - Minerals, gems, meteorites and geology
Email us or go to Mineralogy enquiries - Zoology Access and Advisory Services
Email us - Plants
The Department of Botany is currently preparing to relocate a large part of its collection to a new building. This is expected to take several months. Please be advised therefore that until further notice we are regrettably unable to respond to e-mail, telephone, postal or other enquiries, except where these relate specifically to our bluebells distribution project. We expect to resume a full enquiries service towards the end of 2009, and thank you for your patience.
Simple enquiries from members of the public in the UK are usually free of charge. For commercial enquiries visit Science enquiries and NHM consulting.
Toolbox
Until 1938 whale carcasses were buried in the Museum grounds so that their flesh would decay leaving only the skeletons.