American Museum of Natural History
@amnh.org
Official page of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Open daily, 10 am–5:30 pm.
https://linktr.ee/amnh
https://linktr.ee/amnh
🍂Plan your visit this fall! The Museum is open daily from 10 am–5:30 pm. We hope to see you soon! amnh.link/4lHPM4s
November 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
🍂Plan your visit this fall! The Museum is open daily from 10 am–5:30 pm. We hope to see you soon! amnh.link/4lHPM4s
The Orange Fruit Dove decorates the treetops with its flame-like plumage. This species lives in forests on the islands of Fiji, where it munches on fruits and berries. Only males display bold orange plumage; females are green.
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, iNaturalist
November 10, 2025 at 9:31 PM
The Orange Fruit Dove decorates the treetops with its flame-like plumage. This species lives in forests on the islands of Fiji, where it munches on fruits and berries. Only males display bold orange plumage; females are green.
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, iNaturalist
Have you ever seen a turtle frog? Named for its uniquely shaped body—which resembles a turtle’s without a shell—this amphibian uses its muscular forelimbs to tunnel through the sand headfirst, digging up to 3.9 ft (1.2 m) underground.
Photo: Thomas Mesaglio, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Thomas Mesaglio, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
November 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Have you ever seen a turtle frog? Named for its uniquely shaped body—which resembles a turtle’s without a shell—this amphibian uses its muscular forelimbs to tunnel through the sand headfirst, digging up to 3.9 ft (1.2 m) underground.
Photo: Thomas Mesaglio, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Thomas Mesaglio, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
Happy Fossil Friday! Meet Glossotherium robustum, also known as “the tongue beast!” It roamed the pampas of Argentina some 30,000 years ago during the Pleistocene, just before the group’s extinction. Spot it in the Museum’s Hall of Primitive Mammals!
November 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Happy Fossil Friday! Meet Glossotherium robustum, also known as “the tongue beast!” It roamed the pampas of Argentina some 30,000 years ago during the Pleistocene, just before the group’s extinction. Spot it in the Museum’s Hall of Primitive Mammals!
Meet Coquerel's sifaka. It’s native to the deciduous forests of Madagascar, where it lives in groups of ~10 individuals. The arboreal primate’s name comes from the “shif-auk” sound it makes when making its way through the treetop.
Photo: 昆虫学liuye, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: 昆虫学liuye, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
November 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Meet Coquerel's sifaka. It’s native to the deciduous forests of Madagascar, where it lives in groups of ~10 individuals. The arboreal primate’s name comes from the “shif-auk” sound it makes when making its way through the treetop.
Photo: 昆虫学liuye, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: 昆虫学liuye, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
It’s Trilobite Tuesday! In 1698, Ogygiocarella became the first trilobite to be described & illustrated in scientific literature. But when it was first discovered in English outcrops, it hadn’t been recognized as a trilobite yet. In fact, the Ordovician species was referred to as a “flat fish.”
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It’s Trilobite Tuesday! In 1698, Ogygiocarella became the first trilobite to be described & illustrated in scientific literature. But when it was first discovered in English outcrops, it hadn’t been recognized as a trilobite yet. In fact, the Ordovician species was referred to as a “flat fish.”
Meet the Cephea cephea, sometimes called the cauliflower jellyfish because of its resemblance to the vegetable. It can reach ~20 in (51 cm) in diameter! #DYK? The bodies of jellyfish are more than 95 percent water!
Photo: Derek Keats, CC BY 2.0, flickr
Photo: Derek Keats, CC BY 2.0, flickr
November 3, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Meet the Cephea cephea, sometimes called the cauliflower jellyfish because of its resemblance to the vegetable. It can reach ~20 in (51 cm) in diameter! #DYK? The bodies of jellyfish are more than 95 percent water!
Photo: Derek Keats, CC BY 2.0, flickr
Photo: Derek Keats, CC BY 2.0, flickr
🏅Pro tip: Visiting with friends or family? Save time by reserving their tickets online before you arrive. #nycmarathon
November 2, 2025 at 2:33 PM
🏅Pro tip: Visiting with friends or family? Save time by reserving their tickets online before you arrive. #nycmarathon
Meet the flat-headed cat. This species is at home in water & can often be spotted on river banks. It feeds on crustaceans, frogs, & fish. Sharp molars help it grip slippery prey & partially webbed feet help it navigate its environment.
Photo: Jim Sanderson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Jim Sanderson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
November 1, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Meet the flat-headed cat. This species is at home in water & can often be spotted on river banks. It feeds on crustaceans, frogs, & fish. Sharp molars help it grip slippery prey & partially webbed feet help it navigate its environment.
Photo: Jim Sanderson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Jim Sanderson, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
🩸This spooky season, meet a bird that feasts on blood.🩸
The Hood Mockingbird inhabits the Galapagos’ Española Island. It typically dines on bird eggs & lizards. But during dry seasons, it uses its hooked beak to probe the flesh of animals for blood to drink.
📸: Laura Nunes, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr
The Hood Mockingbird inhabits the Galapagos’ Española Island. It typically dines on bird eggs & lizards. But during dry seasons, it uses its hooked beak to probe the flesh of animals for blood to drink.
📸: Laura Nunes, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr
October 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
🩸This spooky season, meet a bird that feasts on blood.🩸
The Hood Mockingbird inhabits the Galapagos’ Española Island. It typically dines on bird eggs & lizards. But during dry seasons, it uses its hooked beak to probe the flesh of animals for blood to drink.
📸: Laura Nunes, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr
The Hood Mockingbird inhabits the Galapagos’ Española Island. It typically dines on bird eggs & lizards. But during dry seasons, it uses its hooked beak to probe the flesh of animals for blood to drink.
📸: Laura Nunes, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr
🧛🦇 This spooky season, get to know the only mammal that feeds exclusively on blood: the vampire bat!
October 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
🧛🦇 This spooky season, get to know the only mammal that feeds exclusively on blood: the vampire bat!
Meow! It’s #NationalCatDay. Behold a black cat of a different kind: this melanistic serval (Leptailurus serval). Also known as the “giraffe cat,” servals have the longest legs in proportion to their body size of any feline.
Photo: Stan Rullman, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Stan Rullman, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
October 29, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Meow! It’s #NationalCatDay. Behold a black cat of a different kind: this melanistic serval (Leptailurus serval). Also known as the “giraffe cat,” servals have the longest legs in proportion to their body size of any feline.
Photo: Stan Rullman, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Stan Rullman, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
👻 Boo! Meet the ghost mantis. This species’ leaf-like appearance helps it disappear among foliage, concealing it from predators and prey. When tasty critters—like grasshoppers and moths—wander too close, it uses its powerful forelimbs to snatch them up!
Photo: Wynand Uys, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Wynand Uys, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
October 27, 2025 at 8:27 PM
👻 Boo! Meet the ghost mantis. This species’ leaf-like appearance helps it disappear among foliage, concealing it from predators and prey. When tasty critters—like grasshoppers and moths—wander too close, it uses its powerful forelimbs to snatch them up!
Photo: Wynand Uys, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Wynand Uys, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist
The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is a master of disguise that specializes in mimicking dry leaves. If spotted by a foe, this Madagascar resident will drop the camouflage act & open its bright red mouth for a shocking display!
Photo: jameshunt3a, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: jameshunt3a, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
October 25, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is a master of disguise that specializes in mimicking dry leaves. If spotted by a foe, this Madagascar resident will drop the camouflage act & open its bright red mouth for a shocking display!
Photo: jameshunt3a, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: jameshunt3a, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
🐋 Have you heard? Museum Sleepovers are back!
October 25, 2025 at 12:49 PM
🐋 Have you heard? Museum Sleepovers are back!
Ever seen witches’ butter? It’s found in forests around the world growing on dead branches, where it feeds on other fungi. Researchers are studying it for its potential medicinal value, including possible anti-inflammatory & antiallergic properties.
Photo: Rachel Pitt, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Rachel Pitt, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
October 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Ever seen witches’ butter? It’s found in forests around the world growing on dead branches, where it feeds on other fungi. Researchers are studying it for its potential medicinal value, including possible anti-inflammatory & antiallergic properties.
Photo: Rachel Pitt, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: Rachel Pitt, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
🧛 Though it has “fangs,” the tufted deer is an herbivore that feeds on vegetation. Only males sport their signature tusks, which are used in combat over territory and mates. This species is most active at dusk and dawn.
Photo: Николай Усик, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Николай Усик, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
October 22, 2025 at 7:32 PM
🧛 Though it has “fangs,” the tufted deer is an herbivore that feeds on vegetation. Only males sport their signature tusks, which are used in combat over territory and mates. This species is most active at dusk and dawn.
Photo: Николай Усик, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Николай Усик, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Meet the striped pyjama squid! One of the few known poisonous cephalopods, this critter can change color & secrete slime to intimidate foes. It spends its days nestled beneath the sand, hunting for prey by night.
Photo: katewolny, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: katewolny, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
October 21, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Meet the striped pyjama squid! One of the few known poisonous cephalopods, this critter can change color & secrete slime to intimidate foes. It spends its days nestled beneath the sand, hunting for prey by night.
Photo: katewolny, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: katewolny, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Meet the Sumaco horned frog. Growing ~2.6 in (6.6 cm) long, it inhabits parts of the Amazon basin. Fang-like growths in its jaws allow this frog to ensnare prey like lizards & other frogs. It can intimidate foes by exposing its bright yellow tongue.
Photo: herpavida, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: herpavida, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
October 20, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Meet the Sumaco horned frog. Growing ~2.6 in (6.6 cm) long, it inhabits parts of the Amazon basin. Fang-like growths in its jaws allow this frog to ensnare prey like lizards & other frogs. It can intimidate foes by exposing its bright yellow tongue.
Photo: herpavida, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Photo: herpavida, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
This pillar of labradorite formed ~660 mya as magma intruding into the Earth’s crust cooled. Notice its shine? The block’s iridescence is due to light scattering from submicroscopic layers with different chemical compositions, which separated from one another as the minerals cooled.
October 19, 2025 at 12:09 PM
This pillar of labradorite formed ~660 mya as magma intruding into the Earth’s crust cooled. Notice its shine? The block’s iridescence is due to light scattering from submicroscopic layers with different chemical compositions, which separated from one another as the minerals cooled.
#TBT! This image depicts paleoartist Charles Knight working on a model of the dinosaur Stegosaurus. When this massive herbivore was discovered, some scientists thought its brain was too small to support such a large animal & that it had a 2nd brain to control its back half.
October 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
#TBT! This image depicts paleoartist Charles Knight working on a model of the dinosaur Stegosaurus. When this massive herbivore was discovered, some scientists thought its brain was too small to support such a large animal & that it had a 2nd brain to control its back half.
It's Trilobite Tuesday! Pictured is a well-preserved example of the trilobite Dipleura, which could grow ~7 in (17.8 cm) long. Found in Pennsylvania & New York, scores of specimens have been uncovered over the last century, with both outstretched & enrolled individuals found in almost equal numbers.
October 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
It's Trilobite Tuesday! Pictured is a well-preserved example of the trilobite Dipleura, which could grow ~7 in (17.8 cm) long. Found in Pennsylvania & New York, scores of specimens have been uncovered over the last century, with both outstretched & enrolled individuals found in almost equal numbers.
Behold the striking colors of the blue-spotted stingray! Its bright spots are a warning to onlookers that it's venomous—& if its colors aren’t enough to ward off foes, it’s equipped w/ a tail that can inject a lethal dose of toxins.
Photo: Derek Keats, CC-BY-2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Derek Keats, CC-BY-2.0, Wikimedia Commons
October 13, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Behold the striking colors of the blue-spotted stingray! Its bright spots are a warning to onlookers that it's venomous—& if its colors aren’t enough to ward off foes, it’s equipped w/ a tail that can inject a lethal dose of toxins.
Photo: Derek Keats, CC-BY-2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Derek Keats, CC-BY-2.0, Wikimedia Commons
It’s Fossil Friday! This archival image, snapped in 1966, depicts Museum visitors gazing up at the mounted remains of Gorgosaurus. This slender tyrannosaur was smaller than its gigantic cousin T. rex, reaching lengths of up to 30 ft (9 m) and weights of 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg).
October 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
It’s Fossil Friday! This archival image, snapped in 1966, depicts Museum visitors gazing up at the mounted remains of Gorgosaurus. This slender tyrannosaur was smaller than its gigantic cousin T. rex, reaching lengths of up to 30 ft (9 m) and weights of 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg).
Crikey! Meet Irwin’s snapping turtle. The late Steve Irwin, and his father Bob, spotted this rare reptile in the early 1990s & contacted herpetologist John Cann. He was the first to describe this species—and he named it after the Irwins.
Photo: Ian Sutton, CC BY 2.0, flickr
Photo: Ian Sutton, CC BY 2.0, flickr
October 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Crikey! Meet Irwin’s snapping turtle. The late Steve Irwin, and his father Bob, spotted this rare reptile in the early 1990s & contacted herpetologist John Cann. He was the first to describe this species—and he named it after the Irwins.
Photo: Ian Sutton, CC BY 2.0, flickr
Photo: Ian Sutton, CC BY 2.0, flickr