Identify nature

Found something interesting? The Museum's identification service has a Facebook group to help answer all you queries on plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals found in the British Isles.

If your business requires advice or an identification of an object from the natural world (such as an insect, tooth, pest ID or CITES identification etc.) please contact our commercial service.

Guides on a number of common insect pest species that can be found in homes and cause damage to food, furniture, clothes and plants.

A pocket-sized ID guide to the six main species of UK bumblebees.

This guide introduces 29 native species of UK orchid, gives details of how to identify them and where they may be found.

A beginner's guide to the common groups of terrestrial invertebrates found in Britain. Covers insects and non-insect invertebrates separately.

Find out about some of the seaweeds around the British coast, both native and non-native.

Download the Big Seaweed Search guide PDF (3.4MB)

Visit the Big Seaweed Search webpage to help us record how seaweeds may be being affected by climate change.

Discover more about the frogs, toads and newts found in British ponds.

Identify twelve of the most prevalent wild and domestic mammals in the UK.

Uncover the ancient plant and animal fossils hidden beneath your feet with our free app. Available for iOS and Android devices.

Small actions can make a big difference.

Here's how you can help protect biodiversity.

Develop your natural history skills and interests with the help of our staff, facilities and resources.

Contribute to our scientific research. Take part in a wildlife survey, collect samples and data, or help us from home with a digital project.