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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 19h

Catch a glimpse of spiders big and 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘭 at our annual #SpiderPavilion, on view now through December 6!

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 12/10/2026

There’s a chance orcas are far more emotional than we are. Amanda Killian, Assistant Collection Manager, shares the emotional depth of these beautiful marine mammals. Dive deeper with our new exhibition “Orcas: Our Shared Future”, now on view at NHM.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 10/10/2026

Curious to see more behind-the-scenes footage from Maggie West's shoots for #NightTales? We've got you covered. "This November all of these photos (plus a lot more) will be turned into massive, after-dark installations." — 🧵

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 08/10/2026

⚾️ We LOVE our dinosaurs and now we have the jersey to prove it! Root for the home team with our brand-new NHM baseball t-shirts: go.nhm.org/nhm-baseball... go.nhm.org/nhm-baseball...

A blue shirt with "Dinosaurs" in a classic baseball script with "NHM LA" in the back.

A black shirt with "Dinosaurs" in a classic baseball script with "NHM LA" in the back.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 07/10/2026

From their presence in pop culture to the world of cuting-edge orca science, dive deeper with our new exhibition, now on view.

Vintage orca film posters on display at NHM's Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibit, a joint venture between and produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada, and MuseumsPartner in Austria.

Free Willy film poster on display at NHM's Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibit, a joint venture between and produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada, and MuseumsPartner in Austria.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 07/10/2026

From being feared as "killer whales" to being known as intelligent, social, and deeply connected marine mammals, media has helped spotlight orcas, making them a symbol of activism and an inspiration to millions around the world.

Orca activism pins on display at NHM's Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibit, a joint venture between and produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada, and MuseumsPartner in Austria.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 07/10/2026

Through "Orcas: Our Shared Future", we learn that the perception of whales dramatically changed as humans encountered individual orcas.

Blackfish film poster and Sealand sweater on display at NHM's Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibit, a joint venture between and produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada, and MuseumsPartner in Austria.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 07/10/2026

BE ADVISED 🕷 ***UPDATE*** Due to the continuing heat advisory, our Spider Pavilion will be closed again today, October 7. For inquiries or to reschedule your visit, please email info@nhm.org. We apologize for the inconvenience!

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 06/10/2026

🪶 Made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation, NHM's Ornithology Department recently installed new cabinets to house and better care for the collections for decades to come. Dr. Allison Shultz (Associate Curator, Ornithology) shares more about the exciting upgrade!

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 05/10/2026

Serrated bite marks from their teeth have been found on fossil bones of marine mammals. 📍 Age of Mammals (Upper Floor), Level 1

Tooth of 𝘖𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘯 on display at NHM's Age of Mammals exhibition.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 05/10/2026

Would you believe this tooth is from one of the largest sharks that ever lived? 𝘖𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘯 (previously classified as 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘯) could grow to more than 60 feet long, cementing its place as the largest predatory shark in Earth's history.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 04/10/2026

"Apparently this particular specimen used to be mounted in the museum with a dead monkey clutched in its talons, but was taken down and hidden in the back until he was ready for his neon debut."

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 04/10/2026

"I also learned a lot of weird bird facts. For example, Harpy Eagles, like the one pictured [below], are the largest species of eagle and are known to prey on monkeys."

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 04/10/2026

“For NightTales, I interviewed Dr. Allison Shultz, Associate Curator of Ornithology, about the birds featured in the show. We talked about the conservation and research happening within the Ornithology department and how scientists use specimens to better understand environmental changes."

This slide features a Turquoise-browed Motmot, one of the colorful Central and South American species selected to be photographed. Allison explained that the museum has a particularly strong collection of birds from this region, and as someone who studies color, she was naturally drawn to the incredible variety of colorful tropical species.

By photographing the specimens with colored light, some of these colors are obscured but if you look closely you can still see the natural colors and patterns shine through.

Art by Maggie West.

Burrowing owls are unusual little owls that spend much of their time on the ground and are active during the day. They take over burrows made by animals like ground squirrels and even lay their eggs underground.

Art by Maggie West.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 04/10/2026

Observing ornithology collections in a whole new light. Hear from #NightTales featured artist Maggie West about capturing these exquisite specimens for our new activation starting next month. — go.nhm.org/maggie-west

When I was interviewing Allison, I had to ask: do more people like birdwatching now or am I just getting old?

Allison told me birdwatching really has become more popular, especially among younger people. She saw a huge increase during COVID, when people began paying more attention to the birds in their own backyards. She also thinks its popularity reflects a desire to disconnect from screens and social media and reconnect with the natural world.

By the way, the above slide is a Grey-winged Trumpeter and you are not likely to see it in your back yard. Unless your back yard is in a tropical rainforest in South America.

Art by Maggie West.

One of the most fascinating things I learned is how different museum departments collaborate on environmental research. Allison showed me historic house finch specimens whose feathers still hold soot from LA’s air pollution. By analyzing that soot with the Mineral Sciences department, researchers can study changes in pollution over time and even identify sources like coal burning, automobile exhaust, diesel fuel and wildfire smoke.

By visiting the museum, you’re not only having a great time, you’re also supporting important research that helps us better understand our environment ✨

Courtesy of Maggie West.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 03/10/2026

BE ADVISED 🕷 Due to a heat advisory, Spider Pavilion will be closed today, October 3, and Sunday, October 4. For questions or to reschedule your visit, please email info@nhm.org. Apologies for the inconvenience!

A family observes free-roaming spiders in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Spider Pavilion.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 02/10/2026

Did you know that dripping water can grow minerals? These malachite specimens all formed from water flowing underground! Water absorbs chemicals from surrounding rocks as it trickles through cracks. New minerals grow with each drip once it seeps out into a cave. 📍 Unearthed: Raw Beauty, Level 1

Malachite specimen on display at NHM's Unearthed: Raw Beauty exhibit.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 01/10/2026

🔎 Friday, October 16, join us at NHM to celebrate @blackmammalogists.bsky.social with a special one-day, hands-on event honoring the incredible contributions of Black scientists and conservationists in the field of mammalogy! Free with admission. View full event details: go.nhm.org/black-mammal...

A variety of taxidermy mammals from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County diorama halls bathed in a cool, violet hue with text, "Black Mammalogists Week Celebration / Oct 16" with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and Black Mammalogists logos.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 30/09/2026

Every intrepid inquiry, whether it be far afield or in L.A., offers the chance for our museums to become better stewards of our natural and cultural worlds. From islands off the Southern California coast to the mountains of Antarctica, see what wonders we’ve found: go.nhm.org/our-global-f...

Screenshot of the Our Global Footprint interactive map featuring numerous expeditions, fieldwork, findings, and more from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 28/09/2026

👻 Calling all ghouls and ghosts… Haunted Museum is just two weeks away! Saturday, October 10, satisfy your thirst and sip on brews, dance the night away to monster-mashing tunes, and grab a bite of delicious sweet treats from local food trucks, all after hours at the Museum! nhm.org/hauntedmuseum

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 26/09/2026

💙🦋 Don’t miss #NightTales select evenings beginning November 12! nhm.org/nighttales

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 26/09/2026

Interrupting your doomscroll to bring you more stunning NHM specimens courtesy of featured #NightTales artist Maggie West. instagram.com/maggiewest

Amethyst Quartz Scepters from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County collections. Artwork by Maggie West.

A peacock feather from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County collections. Artwork by Maggie West.

Zinna from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Edible Garden. Artwork by Maggie West.

A longhorn beetle from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County collections. Artwork by Maggie West.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 26/09/2026

🫱 Did you know all mammals, including killer whales, have the same bones humans have in our forearms and hands? Amanda Killian, Assistant Collection Manager, shares just one of many fascinating things about orcas. Dive deeper with our new exhibition “Orcas: Our Shared Future”, now on view at NHM.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 25/09/2026

Thursday, October 1, uncover the compelling stories behind the featured objects in our special exhibition, “The Declaration in Progress”, and see how individual actions have continually shaped our nation's history in a fascinating virtual conversation—Free to RSVP: go.nhm.org/declaration-...

Digital scan of a portion of a draft copy of the Declaration of Independence, courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 25/09/2026

We honor the thriving, diverse Native American tribes that call Los Angeles home and proudly celebrate their living cultures, history, resilience, and leadership through storytelling and programs with community partners. go.nhm.org/native-ameri...

Exterior view of NHM Commons at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County with native plants and a commemorative plaque acknowledging the Native American and Indigenous peoples of Los Angeles.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 25/09/2026

Today, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County recognizes the 59th annual California Native American Day, a statewide observance honoring California Native peoples. californianativeamericanday.com

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 23/09/2026

This embryo fossil from 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 provides us with the most reliable evidence of the identity of the eggs and the dinosaur that laid them. 📍 Dinosaur Hall, Level 1

Close-up of the embryo of 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 23/09/2026

Would you believe these eggs are from a dinosaur that lived approximately 200 million years ago? Although identifying which species of dinosaur laid a particular egg is quite difficult, the surest way is to find an embryo inside an unhatched fossilized egg, which is a rare find.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 22/09/2026

We’re pleased to offer special discounts of $5 off General Admission for Adults and $3 off General Admission for Children, Students, and Seniors. Simply show your Lucas Museum ticket to on-site staff to save.* *Valid within 30 days of your visit. Offer ends December 31, 2026.

An exterior shot from Exposition Park featuring NHM Commons at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, South LA Cafe, and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 22/09/2026

👋 Hello there, #LucasMuseum! Extending a warm welcome to our new neighbors across the way at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art! Featuring galleries celebrating visual storytelling, NHM is happy to share common threads of stories, community, and imagination with a fellow cultural institution.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 21/09/2026

Final weeks! Don't miss the October 1 deadline for the NHM Student Collections Study Awards, open to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited degree-granting program. Apply today: go.nhm.org/student-coll...

Students work on a jacketed fossil in the Dinosaur Institute at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 20/09/2026

An experience inspired by our collections and the natural world, #NightTales is more than a light show, sparking curiosity and delight at every turn. Artist Maggie West shares more of her work, noting, “So thrilled I got to photograph this rare black jaguar before it went on display in the museum.”

A taxidermy black jaguar from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's collections. Photography/Artwork by Maggie West.

Artist Maggie West poses for a photo with a taxidermy black jaguar from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's collections. Photography/Artwork by Maggie West.

Live blooms from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's collections. Photography/Artwork by Maggie West.

Textured minerals from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's collections. Photography/Artwork by Maggie West.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 20/09/2026

⚡ Ground Control to Major Tom... To celebrate the opening of our annual Spider Pavilion, we need your help naming our newest resident: a David Bowie Huntsman spider! With a lot of star power, Heteropoda davidbowie deserves a stage-worthy name! Drop your suggestions in the comments below. — 🧵

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 19/09/2026

Educators! Next Saturday, join us for our Educator Open House where you'll hear about our School Programs offerings for 2026 - 2027, enjoy table displays and activities, and enter to win fabulous prizes—including a bus scholarship for a trip to NHM! Register for free today: go.nhm.org/eoh-0926

Education professionals enjoy a round of laughs at a Natural History Museum Workshop/Open House.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 19/09/2026

This Sunday, September 20, join us for the 12th Annual #BobBakerDay at L.A. State Historic Park! Snap a photo with our adorable P-22 puppet, greet the NHM Performing Arts Team, and enjoy a free all-day festival of fun, puppetry, music, and more! RSVP required: go.nhm.org/bob-baker-day

Illustrated art featuring various puppets upon a train with text, "12th Annual Bob Baker Day / Sunday September 20th 10am - 5pm FREE all day Carnival".

Performing Artist Oscar Nava brings life to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's P-22 marionette puppet.

A P-22 mountain lion cut out beside the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's marionette puppet P-22.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 19/09/2026

⚠️ Early Closure Advisory: Today, Saturday, September 19, the Natural History Museum will close at 3pm due to nearby events and road closures in Exposition Park. nhm.org

A variety of visitors enjoy "Orcas: Our Shared Future" at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 18/09/2026

Porteous' rockfish was a shallow-water fish related to the rockfishes commonly found along the Pacific Coast today. Near-complete skeletons of 𝘚𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪 can reveal important details about the extinct fish, such as numbers of vertebrae, scale patterns, and fin shapes.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 16/09/2026

🎬 Next month, join us for “Movies Under the Microscope”, a special series of screenings featuring expert-led discussions, lively pre-screening receptions, and a fun look at what 80s sci-fi got both right and hilariously wrong! go.nhm.org/movies

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 15/09/2026

Saturday, October 10, join us for our annual Haunted Museum—our after-hours, Member-exclusive event that transforms NHM into a world of thrilling experiences with nocturnal animals, hidden curiosities, and wonders of the natural world! Become a Member and save your spot today: nhm.org/hauntedmuseum

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 13/09/2026

Using shovels, scrapers, sieves, nets, and their bare hands, our scientists have been sampling tide pools for the California Intertidal Biodiversity DNA Barcode Library Project—a "biolibrary" that helps identify inhabitants of the coast's precious ecosystems: nhm.org/stories/barc...

This gorgeous snail, Simnia vidleri, lives by eating the polyps of gorgonians, and is quite likely to turn up in the near-intertidal under floating docks in Southern California. Courtesy of Amanda Bemis and Eve Moore.

Tiny ostracods like this Leuroleberis sharpei, just a few millimeters long, are among the (literally) thousands of species swimming around, usually unnoticed, in California’s intertidal zone. Courtesy of Amanda Bemis and Eve Moore.

This cute “Globe Crab” lives just below the water on sandy beaches, burrowing in the sand for protection, launching out to forage for food. Courtesy of Amanda Bemis and Eve Moore.

The shockingly pink Corynactis corals live in cold water on the California coast. Closely related to the reef-building corals, these have no hard skeleton. Courtesy of Amanda Bemis and Eve Moore.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 12/09/2026

"The specimen pictured [here] is a tiger moth. They often have brightly colored hind wings in shades of red. When startled by a predator, tiger moths flash these vivid wings, creating a sudden burst of color intended to surprise or scare away whatever is trying to eat them." — 🧵

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 12/09/2026

"I spoke with Assistant Curators of Entomology Megan Barkdull and Rodrigo Monjaraz Ruedas and asked them questions about butterflies, moths and the work the museum does in research and conservation." — 🧵

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 12/09/2026

"As part of #NightTales, I worked with the NHM Entomology Department to photograph specimens from the museum’s collection, using colored light to transform them into images for the show," says Featured Artist Maggie West. — 🧵

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 11/09/2026

⛏️ 2026 marks a milestone at Ghost Ranch’s Hayden Quarry: two decades of ongoing exploration! See how the team dug deep into the origins of dinosaurs and their close relatives, all while equipping the next generation for even more discovery: go.nhm.org/ghost-ranch

The Ghost Ranch paleontological crew 2026. Photo by Tyler Hayden.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 09/09/2026

🎨 Friday, September 25, experience an intimate evening of conversation and creativity with Chicana artist Barbara Carrasco and her landmark mural, “L.A. History: A Mexican Perspective”! Free with advance registration and space is very limited: go.nhm.org/painting-la

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 09/09/2026

Beginning Sunday, September 20, walk among spiders and their unbeweavable webs in our seasonal #SpiderPavilion, an open-air experience that gives you a rare glimpse into the secret life of spiders—from hundreds of orb weavers and their webs to enclosed habitats housing tarantulas: nhm.org/spiders

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 06/09/2026

Considering spending the rest of your #LaborDay weekend with us? Browse featured experiences and save your spot before your visit—we’ll be open Monday, September 7, too! nhm.org/calendar 📍 Orcas: Our Shared Future, Ground Level

A couple explores "Orcas: Our Shared Future", a joint venture between and produced by the Royal BC Museum and MuseumsPartner.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 06/09/2026

Meet prehistoric high-flyer 𝘙𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪! This pterosaur was abundant in the islands that dotted an ancient tropical sea in what is now Central Europe. 𝘙𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴' sharp teeth may have been used to catch fish along the islands it inhabited. 📍 Dinosaur Hall (Upper Floor), Level 1

Skeleton cast of 𝘙𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪 displayed in NHM's Dino Hall.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 05/09/2026

Voyage alongside Dr. Tania Pineda-Enriquez, Collections Manager of Echinoderms, who recently returned from an epic expedition to document sea creatures inhabiting one of the most remote places on Earth—Antarctica: go.nhm.org/antarctic-ex...

Dr. Tania Pineda-Enriquez, Collections Manager of Echinoderms, photographed on a 2026 expedition in Antarctica.

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 04/09/2026

⚠️ Today, September 4, the Natural History Museum will close early at 3pm due to the USC game at the Coliseum. Expect street closures, traffic, and limited parking in Exposition Park. Visitors are strongly encouraged to take the Metro E Line to the Expo Park/USC station.

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