(a species of owlet moth (Noctuid)) Some caterpillars, after they emerge from their egg, can increase their weight by 25,000 times.

Skip to page content

Primary navigation

Mammals

From tiny shrews to enormous whales, mammals are the most diverse group of animals ever to live on our planet. Equipped with wings, fins, horns and spines – they have evolved to fill many niches and roles. Discover more about this complex group, which of course, includes us. Are big cats living wild in Britain? Why do whales strand? And just how closely related are we to other apes?

  • The head and upper body of Ida, teh fossilised early primate that lived 47 million years ago
    Ida - the clue to primate evolution?

    Ida is the best-preserved fossil primate ever to have been found.  Find out about the rainforest world she lived in and what she can tell us about our own ancestry.

  • Beast of Bodmin Moor skull
    The Beast of Bodmin Moor

    Examine the fanged skull found on Bodmin Moor and determine for yourself whether it is proof that there really are great cats roaming the UK countryside.

  • Piltdown man fossil
    Piltdown Man

    Can you study the Piltdown Man fossil and avoid being fooled by the hoax that fooled scientists in 1912 for 40 years?

  • Virtual Specimen – The Two Faced Sheep Skull
    Virtual Specimen - The Two Faced Sheep Skull

    View our virtual mutant, a sheep skull with two faces.

  • A model of common porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, swimming underwater.
    Threats to whales, dolphins and porpoises

    Cetaceans face many pressures as our exploitation of their ocean home escalates. Sarah Lazarus, author of the Troubled Waters book, gives five reasons why they are in trouble.

  • A whale leaping out of the water
    Top tips for watching whales

    If you are thinking of going on a whale-watching trip, Trevor Day, author of the Whale Watcher book, has some tips to help make it a success.

  • The tail of a humpback whale
    Animal migration

    Why do animals migrate, how do they find the way, and how do they survive the journey?

  • People trying to help a beached whale
    The UK Whale and Dolphin Stranding Scheme

    The mysteries surrounding whale strandings have been challenging the Museum’s scientists for more than 100 years. Find out about their invaluable discoveries.

  • Flying bat
    The secret life of bats

    Popularly known for fluttering in the shadows, few realise that there is much more than their movements that is lost in the darkness.

  • This dwarf hippopotamus skull from the Museum’s collections is nearly 3000 years old
    Hippo's island life helps explain dwarf hobbit

    Ancient Madagascan hippos shed light on origins of small-brained hobbit. Watch the video.

  • CT scan of a mummified cat
    Mummified cat CT scan

    Take a look at the cutting-edge technology that allows scientists to see inside specimens, like this mummifed cat, without having to dissect or damage them.

Print version