Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
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Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
@mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
290 followers 33 following 370 posts
Museum of Natural History located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Part of the Nova Scotia Museum family, sharing Nova Scotian natural and cultural history.
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Wood duck sighting in the Halifax Public Gardens.

Take a look around, you never know what, or who, you might see.

#Nature #GetOutside #Birds
Wood duck standing on edge of small pond, female Mallard sleeping in the water. Close up of wood duck. It's head is turned and bill tucked under feathers to rest. Eyes are open and watching the camera person.
December 8, 2025 at 10:41 AM
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If you're not visiting the #Museum, then you're missing out 😉.

Bricks By The Sea is on view now until January 3rd, 2026.

#Halifax #NovaScotia #December
Lego/Brick CN train Lego/Brick city all in grey Lego/Brick Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and CSS Acadia
December 6, 2025 at 10:51 AM
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The Museum of Natural History will be closed December 24, 25, 26 and January 1. We are open 9:30am - 4:30pm all other days, weather permitting.

Be sure to check out Bricks By The Sea, TREES for LIFE, Pjila'si, Marine Gallery, and more.

#MNH #BricksByTheSea #Holidays #NovaScotia
White background with holly and green pine needle border. Black text reads "Museum holiday hours. Closed December 24th, December 25th, December 26th, January 1st. Follow us on social media for up to date news and events. @mnhnovascotia"
December 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
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Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
We invited coworker Kiera to share her thoughts on disabilities and an inclusive society. Kiera works with museum programs and is an advocate for persons with disabilities.
December 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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#ChimenySwifts are migratory birds. Breeding in Canada, and the US, from Spring to late Summer then traveling to winter in South America. Birdwatching is one way we can help Chimney Swifts. To learn what more you can do:
www.birdscanada.org/bird-science...
#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk
Image on the left is of a Chimney Swift in flight against a white sky. The body is short and tapered with a white throat blending into a dusty light brown grey with a little tail. The wings are dark brown with a sharp tipped end. Central image is of a Chimney Swift pitched on a flat wooden board. The head has a dark brown cap, then white throat and dark brown back feathers. Right image is an illustration showing the breeding areas of Chimney Swifts in Canada and the US in red, the migration route in orange and the wintering area within South American as blue. Text: Chimney Swifts migrate to Canada and the US to breed then travel to South America for the winter. Birdwatching can help the Chimney Swift. Learn more at: https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/swiftwatch #NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #ChimneySwift. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
December 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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#ChimenySwifts fly to catch and eat insects, as insectivorous birds. A decrease in insect population impacts the Chimney Swift population. Modern chimneys reduce nesting sites too. Learning more about these unique birds is vital.
landbirdsar.merseytobeatic.ca/chimney-swif...
Image of a single Chimney Swift looking upwards from its nest, dark brown cap with white cheeks and throat. The body is light brown, and dusty grey, resting on the nest attached to the walls of a darkened chimney. Text: Chimney Swift. Yellow circle. Endangered Species at Risk. Chimney Swifts tend to nest in urban chimneys, hence their name. They are small brown–grey feathered birds with a distinctly pointed body, long narrow wings, and short tail. Chimney Swifts catch insects while flying and their flight is described as rapid and jerky. #NSWildifeSpotlight#SpeciesAtRisk #ChimneySwift. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
December 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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#ChimneySwifts are ENDANGERED #SpeciesAtRisk in NS.
These birds tend to nest in urban chimneys, hence the name. Chimney Swift have brown–grey feathers with a distinguished pointed body, long narrow wings, and short tail. Their flight is described as rapid and jerky.
www.canada.ca/en/environme...
Title page: Nova Scotia Wildlife Spotlight. Species at risk. Five coloured circles from left to right: Yellow is for endangered, orange is for threatened, pink is for vulnerable, violet is for extirpated, navy blue is for extinct. Image of the sky looking through trees from below. A weekly post spotlighting a different species currently at risk in Nova Scotia. #NSWildlifeSpotlight. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
December 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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A green sea urchin having a little snack.

The mouth of the urchin is on the underside of the body. It has used its tube feet to pass the piece of scallop (the white goo) from the side of the body to the mouth underneath.

#MNH #Museum #SeaUrchin
Green sea urchin viewed from underneath on glass. Tube feet are visible and a white bit of goo is in the middle of the urchin's body. That is the food. Slightly closer view of photo 1 Close up of the white goo scallop being held by the sea urchin's tube feet.
December 2, 2025 at 10:41 AM
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Give the gift of Gus the gopher tortoise this holiday season!
An annual pass to the Museum of Natural History makes a great gift for a friend, family member, or yourself.

#MNH #Museum #GiftIdeas #NovaScotia
Gray background with white and light gray snowflakes. Black text reads "give the gift of" and bubbly green letters read "Gus". Gus the gopher tortoise is pictured in profile. Gray background with white and light gray snowflakes. Green text reads "annual family pass". Dark coloured text reads "$42.50 available at the admissions desk". A dark blue/black family pass to the Museum of Natural History is pictured at the bottom of the image. Gray background with white and light gray snowflakes. Green text reads "annual adult pass". Dark coloured text reads "$17.95 available at the admissions desk". A brown adult pass to the Museum of Natural History is pictured at the bottom of the image.
December 1, 2025 at 6:34 PM
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A little Lego ASMR.

Experience Bricks By The Sea at your Museum until end of day January 3rd, 3026.
November 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
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Thursday morning motivation: salamanders.

Salamanders are secretive, harmless creatures. Their permanent smiles and delicate little toes will win your heart.

Nova Scotia has 5 species of salamander: yellow spotted, blue spotted, red-backed, four toed, and red spotted newts.
A yellow spotted salamander and blue spotted salamander peek out from under a log in their tank at the museum.
November 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
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The #AtlanticWhitefish is about 20-25 cm long with a dark green-blue back, a silvery white belly and a forked tail. Its important to recognize them since they are a protected species.
Learn more www.coastalaction.org/coastal-acti...

#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #AtlanticWhitefish
November 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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As a result of a dam at Hebb Lake, Atlantic White fish have had no access to the sea for over 100 years. Since 2012, a fishway was constructed in an attempt to aid fish migration. sarguide.speciesatrisk.ca/sites/sargui...

#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #AtlanticWhitefish
An image of a single Atlantic Whitefish looking towards the right in side profile. The fish medium length, similar to a trout, with a dark green to dark blue back, lighter sides and a silvery white belly and a deeply forked tail. Text: Atlantic Whitefish. Yellow circle, Endangered Species at Risk. Atlantic Whitefish were an anadromous fish, traveling from freshwater to ocean waters throughout their lifecycle. Now they are only found in 3 lakes in the Petite Rivière watershed near Lunenburg County. #NSWildifeSpotlight#SpeciesAtRisk #AtlanticWhiteFish. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
November 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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#AtlanticWhitefish are ENDANGERED. The only Wild Atlantic Whitefish population in the WORLD can be found in 3 freshwater lakes in the Petite Rivière watershed in Lunenburg County. As a member of the Salmonidae family, Atlantic Whitefish were once an anadromous fish. novascotia.ca/natr/wildlif...
Title page: Nova Scotia Wildlife Spotlight. Species at risk. Five coloured circles from left to right: Yellow is for endangered, orange is for threatened, pink is for vulnerable, violet is for extirpated, navy blue is for extinct. Image of the sky looking through trees from below. A weekly post spotlighting a different species currently at risk in Nova Scotia. #NSWildlifeSpotlight. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
November 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
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There are just two Wee Wild Ones programs left for the fall! Join us on November 25th and December 2nd 10-11am with your little one to learn about nature and connect with community at your Museum.
Taxidermy owl, brown and tan in colour
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 AM
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Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and visitors for ongoing efforts to foster a safe and inclusive space for all. Let's keep working!
Rainbow image made from images of nature like flowers, lichen, and the ocean.
November 21, 2025 at 9:03 PM
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We're happy to share some exciting news! On Friday, November 14th, the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) presented the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History (MNH) with the 2025 CQCC Rainbow Registered Prism Award. (1/3)
Profile image of Gus the gopher tortoise on black background with white text reading "Be Proud" and a rainbow line along the bottom of the image.
November 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
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Visitor Notice: Water Safety

Please be advised that the water in our museum facilities is NOT drinkable (non-potable). This includes all faucets and fountains.

We encourage all visitors to bring their own bottled water. Thank you for your cooperation.
Photo description: green background with white water bottle graphic and white text reading "water safety advisory"
November 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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During the 2020-21 NS survey, 529 martens were observed in #CapeBreton and mainland #NovaScotia. Martens are tree-dwelling carnivores that prefer #OldGrowthForests. Learn more about the importance of Old Growth Forests. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6f26...
#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #Marten
Left image is of a marten standing on its hind legs resting among the branches of a tree, looking forward. Upper central image is of a marten with its mouth open and arching it’s back while sitting in the snow. Most of the coat of fur is a deep orange, there is white along the side of the face and around the moth. Bottom central image is a map of Nova Scotia highlighting marten populations in Cape Breton and southern Nova Scotia. Top right is and image of an old growth forest in Lone Shieling Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Bottom right image is of an old growth forest in Kejimkujik Nation Park. Text: Martens are tree-dwelling carnivores that prefer Old Growth Forests. They are solitary creatures seeking out the opposite sex only during the mating season. #NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #Marten. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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Martens are very territorial, needing 3.5 km (40 football fields) of personal space. This solitary creature only seeks out the opposite sex during the mating season. Learn about the #Marten: www.hww.ca/wildlife/mam...
novascotia.ca/natr/wildlif...
Image of a Marten looking directly forward among tree bark and leaves. Small head pointed ears, with a pointed nose. The colour of the fur on the head is light brown and turns darker around the mouth and nose. Along the slender neck the fur is more orange. Text: American Marten. Yellow circle Endangered Species at Risk. Martens are members of the weasel family, and are the size of a house cat. Martens are very territorial, needing 3.5km (40 football fields) of personal space. #NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #Marten. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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The American #Marten is ENDANGERED in NS. Members of the weasel family, Martens are the size of a house cat. Marten’s have a slender body, bushy tail, and a pointed face. During winter, their fur coat is a dark brown with a bright orange throat patch.
#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk
Title page: Nova Scotia Wildlife Spotlight. Species at risk. Five coloured circles from left to right: Yellow is for endangered, orange is for threatened, pink is for vulnerable, violet is for extirpated, navy blue is for extinct. Image of the sky looking through trees from below. A weekly post spotlighting a different species currently at risk in Nova Scotia. #NSWildlifeSpotlight. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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A moment with a sea star's tube feet.

Tube feet are like little suction cups on strings. Within each arm, the tube feet use the pressure of the water to move. The tube feet also provide strong suction for pulling apart shells to eat the animal inside!
November 16, 2025 at 5:55 PM
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IT'S TIIIIIIIIIIIIME!!!

...to visit your Museum, look for hidden red Lego bricks, and enjoy Bricks By The Sea!

The Museum is open daily 9:30am to 4:30pm. It is a busy weekend for Halifax, with a parade, a game (Go Moose!) and more. Plan your visit and travel accordingly!
Brick/Lego built Woody the talking Christmas tree Red Lego brick hidden in a display with a bird Red Lego brick hidden with moss Red Lego brick hidden with wooden structure
November 14, 2025 at 8:40 PM
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Not a baby owl, but a northern saw-whet owl. An uncommon observation, these teeny owls love to eat mice.

The average size:
Length: 7.1-8.3 in (18-21 cm)
Weight: 2.3-5.3 oz (65-151 g)
Wingspan: 16.5-18.9 in (42-48 cm)

#Owl #NovaScotia #Nature
Taxidermy saw-whet owl perched on branch.
November 13, 2025 at 11:06 PM
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On this Thursday, we're looking at snake skin.

In one photo, we have dried, preserved scales and skin from a black garter snake. In the other photo, a piece of shed garter snake skin.
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM