Zoology
The zoology specimens come from a variety of sources, including historic anatomy teaching collections and early expedition collections, and the research collections of eminent zoologists and amateur naturalists. With over 5 million specimens, the zoology collections are the largest in the Museum and fill several storerooms behind the scenes – what you see on display is only a tiny fraction of the entire collection. The collections are actively growing and used for scientific research, as well as supporting teaching and public engagement.
Collection areas
Vertebrates
Arachnids
Crustaceans
Insects
Molluscs
Other invertebrates
Search the zoology collections online
Highlights from the zoology collections
The Oxford Dodo
Beehive
Skeleton parade
Whale skeletons
Things to see and do
Want to view our specimens?
Book a special interest visit to the collections
Contact the team
Please contact us if you have questions related to specific collections or would like to book a visit to the collections. If you are not sure which collection manager to contact please email life@oum.ox.ac.uk
Mark Carnall
Collections Manager, Zoology
Jacqueline Chapman-Gray
Conservator, Zoology
Katherine Child
Image Technician, Zoology
Robert Douglas
Collections Assistant
Tom Greenway
Junior Collections Assistant
Dr James Hogan
Collections Manager, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera
Louis Lofthouse
Collections Assistant
Darren Mann
Senior Collections Manager
Ryan Mitchell
Collections Assistant
Zoë M. Simmons
Head of Zoology
Amoret Spooner
Collections Manager, Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Small orders