Sign in

Natural History Museum, London

@nhm-london.bsky.social
16K followers 23 following 984 posts

We’re the museum looking deeper into the Earth’s past to shape a new future where both people and planet thrive. Protecting the planet, it’s in our nature. 🌍

PostsRepliesMedia
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
WWF’s Living Planet Report shows that monitored vertebrate populations have declined by 73% since 1970. 🌍 But there’s more to the story that museum collections can help unravel.
Photograph of seven glass specimen jars containing preserved animals in liquid, arranged against a dark, smoky background.
1379
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
A new penguin species has been named for the first time in 100 years! 🐧 Researchers studying the DNA of gentoo penguins have identified a previously unknown species, which they’ve called the southeastern gentoo.
Photograph of a gentoo penguin standing on snow in a polar coastal setting.
17213
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Museum collections are revealing how the genetic diversity of the moss carder bumblebee has changed over the past century! 🐝 Once widespread across Britain, these bees have declined in number and become increasingly isolated as suitable habitat has been lost.
Photograph of a moss carder bumblebee specimen on a grey background. The bee is orange-brown, showing dark markings, a hairy body, long legs and translucent, veined wings.
14511
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A reminder that the Museum will be closed on 9 October as we're hosting a charity gala. 🦖 We rarely close to the public, however, hosting events like this helps us to continue our vital work, including scientist research and finding solutions to the planetary emergency.
The Natural History Museum building from the outside with the gentle sunlight shining on the Museum gardens in the foreground.
0345
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Did you know that seaweed is older than dinosaurs? 😮🌿 Learn more about the fascinating world of seaweed our series, Natural History Museum Showstoppers!
27313
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Almost half of the world’s migratory bird species are in decline. 💔 The latest State of the World’s Birds report highlights cuckoos, turtle doves and Arctic terns among the migratory species facing increased extinction risk.
Photograph showing a Turtle dove perched on a mossy branch above still water.
24811
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Our new temporary exhibition, Nature and Us, is open! 🌿 Housed in a gallery closed to the public for over 80 years, this exhibition explores our changing relationship with nature. There's over 50 specimens to discover – would you like to learn more about them? 👇
A large, airy gallery with an arched ceiling and wooden floor. On the left, there’s a tall sign with white text saying ‘Nature and Us’. On the left, there’s a model inside a glass display case and a large ladybird model on top. A display case with two miniature dinosaur models inside. Behind the case, there are tall wooden cabinets.  A large, airy gallery with white arched ceilings and wooden floor. On either side, there are wooden cabinets.
0477
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🚨 Record-breaking amounts of plastic are being found in seabirds. A 16-year study of sable shearwaters on Australia’s Lord Howe Island has found a sharp rise in the amount of plastic in their stomachs.
Photograph of a dead sable shearwater on a black background next to a mosaic of varied coloured plastic fragments.
16024
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Did you know that some of the treasures in our collection were donated as gifts in wills? 🔬 This #RememberACharityWeek, why not help support scientific research and inspire the next generation by leaving a gift in your will? 🎓 Find out more: brnw.ch/21x5BKJ
A large gallery room filled with brown wooden cabinets containing different minerals.
0231
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The oldest amber has been discovered in China, and it’s around 385 million years old! 🌳 The discovery pushes the confirmed record of amber back by around 65 million years, showing that plants were producing resin much earlier than previously demonstrated.
Photograph of amber on a green background. The amber is small, irregularly shaped with a translucent amber-yellow centre surrounded by dark, rough outer edges.
181288289
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Dorothea Bate has been honoured with a Historic England blue plaque at the Natural History Museum in Tring! 🌟 Dorothea had no formal qualifications when she walked into the Museum in 1898 looking for a job. She went on to become a renowned palaeontologist, known for her fossil mammal discoveries.
Photograph of Dorothea Bate in profile facing left, showing short, wavy hair styled close to the head. The black-and-white portrait has a vintage appearance, likely from the early to mid-20th century.
213444
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Our T. rex needs regular check-ups to keep it roaring so it’ll be off display for maintenance from 7 to 25 September. 🦖 But don't worry, we have plenty of other dinosaurs to visit around the Museum, which one is your favourite? #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Dinosaur
1312
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
We're excited to share our new exhibition, Nature and Us! 🌱 Housed in a space closed to the public since World War II, this free temporary exhibition questions how our relationship with nature has changed over time through an eclectic mix of objects, tools and specimens.
A black and white archival photograph of a gallery. In the foreground, there's a large glass display case with taxidermy monkeys inside. In the background, there are other glass display cases. On the image, there's black text inside a white box saying, 'We're opening an exhibition in a gallery that’s been closed since World War II!' and 'Nature and Us opens 16 September'
25010
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Can you spot the difference? 👀 Although these photos were taken over 100 years apart, our Minerals Gallery is much the same - right down to the original oak display cabinets from 1881. Do you like the feel of the original Victorian gallery, or do you prefer something more modern?
Two half photos of a museum gallery with stone pillars and wooden display cases lined up to create a full picture. The left is a modern colour photo labelled 2025, the right is an old black and white photograph labelled 1923.
15908
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
We’re excited to share a first look at the 62nd Wildlife Photographer of the Year images! 😲 📸 Featuring 100 photographs awarded for their creativity and skill, get ready to explore the beauty of the natural world in our yearly exhibition! Which image is your favourite?
A polar bear looking into a seal breathing hole. It has white fur and a black nose. The polar bear is photographed from inside the hole and is slightly blurry as seen through ice.  A red-billed oxpecker resting on a Northern white rhino’s horn. It has light and dark green feathers and a red beak.
27218
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Whales are becoming a more regular sight off the east coast of Greenland as sea ice disappears! 🐋 A new study found an increase in sightings of fin whales, humpback whales and common minke whales from 1987 to 2025. These three species were once rarely seen off Greenland’s east coast.
Photograph showing a whale's tail fin emerging from dark blue ocean water with snow-covered mountains and a couple of icebergs in the background.
1303
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
This beautiful dictionary of colours found in nature dates back to more than a century before Pantone. 🎨 Werner's Nomenclature of Colour was an indispensable resource for Charles Darwin, helping him describe new species. We love these natural colours - which page do you like best?
A page of an old book titled “Blues” with a chart of different shades, naming each shade with an example of an animal, vegetable and mineral of that colour.Another page titled “Reds” with a chart various shades with an animal, vegetable and mineral for each.An old book page titled “Yellows” with a chart citing various shades of yellow with an animal, vegetable and mineral of each colour for reference.Another page titled “Greens” with a chart of various shades of green with an animal, vegetable and mineral of each shade.
8274109
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
There’s almost 150 years of history between these photos. 🏛️ These two photos were taken in the same spot, 145 years apart, facing the west balcony in Hintze Hall. What changes can you see? 👀
Two half photos of a balcony with arches lined up to create a seamless picture. The left half is in colour and labelled 2026, the right half is black and white and labelled 1881.The whole version of the black and white 1881 balcony picture, showing architectural arches, glass specimen cases and a glimpse of Hintze Hall off to the left.The whole version of the colour 2026 balcony picture, showing architectural arches, a Moa skeleton in a glass case in the foreground, and a glimpse of the blue whale skeleton hanging in Hintze Hall to the left.
16611
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A pioneering study shows how plastic pollution is affecting sable shearwater populations on Lord Howe Island. ⚠️ Parents can mistake plastic for food and feed it to their chicks. Once the young birds leave the nest, the amount of plastic they’ve consumed can affect their chances of surviving at sea.
Photograph showing a dead shearwater next to a mosaic of variously shaped and coloured small objects arranged in a grid pattern on right side.
23014
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
The light is shining through the stained glass of our Treasures gallery to frame Hope and Hintze Hall beautifully this morning. 🐋 From Hope and all of us here at the Natural History Museum: good morning, and have a fantastic start to the week! 🌞
A photo taken through a window of the empty main hall in the Natural History Museum, showing architectural arches, the front doors and a blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. The window is framed by red, green and white stained glass in intricate patterns.The empty main hall of the Natural History Museum in morning light, taken facing the main doors, showing the large empty floor, architectural arches and a blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling.
1496
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The air isn’t just for insects, bats and birds - did you know there are other airborne animals? ☁️ Here are four fantastic flyers that you might not expect to see when you look to the skies…
A flying fish, silver-blue with wide white fins patterned with dark brown spots coming out of either side and two smaller fins further down its body, credited to Harold Moses on Flickr.
541090
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
🗞️ Here’s a roundup of natural history news stories from July! First up, scientists estimate the true size of the ancient marine reptile Liopleurodon is about 6 metres. It was famously portrayed in the 1999 documentary Walking with Dinosaurs as reaching up to 25 metres long. (1/4)
An illustration of what Liopleurodon may have looked like. It is swimming in the ocean and has four flippers, a short tail and a long head with a row of sharp teeth.
3206
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
It’s #InternationalCatDay, and the ratings are in! 🐱 Come and celebrate with some of the undomesticated cats that have clawed their way into our hearts… 🐾
“Rating our favourite wild cats for International Cat Day* *in a totally biased and unscientific way” over a front view of a Pallas’s cat, an incredibly fluffy grey cat with green eyes, flat low-set ears and a stocky build.
626175
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
What do Dippy, Hope and George have in common? 🦕🐳🐘 They are or were the specimens that welcomed our visitors in Hintze Hall! Take a look at these stunning photos from our Library and Archives collection. 😍
A black and white photograph of Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum taken from the main staircase. In the centre of the room, we can see the back of a skeleton displayed. A black and white photograph of Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum taken close to the main entrance. A black and white photograph of a taxidermy African elephant at the Natural History Museum. It’s displayed on the plinth. On the left hand-side, there are multiple visitors.
13610
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Purple is relatively rare in nature - but there are some powerfully purple species across the globe! 💜 Let’s meet some of the purplest players seen in the natural world ⬇️
A vibrant purple toad with bright pink markings resting on a green leaf, credited to Nick Stacey @‌indicator_species
15634135
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Sea turtles are remarkable specimens of evolution - but how much do you really know about them? 🐢 Take a second to get to know these marine marvels with our top 5 sea turtle facts 🌊
A sea turtle underwater with one arm up to the side with text reading "5
fun facts about sea turtles".
23510
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
🦕 A new dinosaur species from the Late Triassic has been discovered in Zimbabwe! It’s thought to be an early relative of Diplodocus, although it walked on two legs instead of four. Find out what this fossil tells us about early dinosaurs from this region. 👇 www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
nhm.ac.uk
Musango: The new Zimbabwean dinosaur discovered from a boat | Natural History Museum
Musango matusadonaensis is the fifth dinosaur ever named from Zimbabwe.
03613
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
It’s going to be another scorcher few days in London! ☀️ If you're visiting us during this hot weather, please take extra care as our galleries can get quite warm and busy. Explore at your own pace, stay hydrated and speak to a member of staff if you need any help. 🦕
A bronze Diplodocus cast in the gardens.
0344
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Liopleurodon was a fearsome marine predator that lived during the Jurassic Period. 🌊 It was famously portrayed in the 1999 BBC series Walking with Dinosaurs as reaching lengths of up to 25 metres, but recent estimates suggest it was more likely around 6 metres long.
An illustration of what Liopleurodon may have looked like. It is swimming in the ocean and has four flippers, a short tail and a long head with a row of sharp teeth.
410920
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
What do ducks and camels have in common? 🦆🐪 The answer is ‘afoot’ in this week’s #SurprisingScience 😉
1233
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
The Museum will be closed on 9 October 2026 as we are hosting a charity gala. 🦖 We rarely close to the public however, hosting events like this helps us to continue our vital work, including our +350 scientists’ research. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
A large blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling. Under the whale, there’s text saying, ‘The Natural History Museum will be closed on 9 October 2026’. Behind the skeleton, there are three large arched windows and highly decorated architectural details.
0315
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Did you know that there’s a 1,300-year old tree slice in the Natural History Museum? 🌳 Find out more about the giant sequoia in our new series, Natural History Museum Showstoppers. 👇
29758125
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
In seahorses, it’s the male who becomes pregnant! Females transfer their eggs into a special brood pouch on the male’s body. The male then fertilises the eggs and carries them for around 25 days before giving birth to over 1000 young! Find out more ⬇️
17424
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Meet Coelophysis, one of the earliest known dinosaurs! 🦕😮 This small, slender meat-eater had sharp claws and teeth! Have you spotted it in our Dinosaurs gallery? Let us know in the comments! 👇
A dinosaur skeleton with a long neck and tail, displayed in a blue circle on a wall.
1739
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
A new study suggests that sturgeon once bred in the UK! 🐟 While sturgeon have been recorded in British waters for centuries, it has remained unclear whether they bred here or were simply passing through to feed. To investigate, researchers combed through newspaper archives and museum collections.
A curator with a sturgeon specimen in the Natural History Museum collection.
1253
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Even though you may have heard that camels store water in their humps, this isn’t technically true! 💦 In Surprising Science, we find out what these iconic adaptations are really used for!
2254
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Scientists have discovered a 518-million-year-old fossil that has the earliest known evidence of spiders’ fangs! 🕷️ Using X-ray analysis, researchers found two pincer-like limbs emerging just behind the animals’ eyes, which are thought to be precursors of the fangs used by modern spiders.
A fossil of a small arthropod with many sets of legs and small fangs at the head.
14310
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Have you ever spotted Sophie in the Museum? Discover more about Stegosaurus in our new series, Natural History Museum Showstoppers. 🦕🐋
1419
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
The pangolins’ iconic pinecone-shaped scales have made them targets of wildlife trafficking. New DNA analysis has revealed that populations of Chinese pangolins living in the Himalayan foothills are actually a separate species. This distinction could be vital in helping to stop illegal poaching!
A pangolin in a forest.
24811
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Just a moment of appreciation for our Minerals gallery! 😍💎 From sparkling gems to striking minerals from around the world, there’s so much to explore! Did you know that the specimens are displayed in original 19th century oak cabinets?
Two large dark wooden cabinets with many minerals inside. There are two large arched windows on the brick walls.  A wooden display cabinet with many minerals of different shapes and sizes inside. In the background, there are multiple other cabinets and columns.
17912
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
The first dinosaur fossil ever discovered in Antarctica is a titanosaur! 🦕 The fossil was collected during an expedition in 1985 and was initially thought to be a marine reptile. Now scientists have re-examined the specimen. Learn more 👇 www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
nhm.ac.uk
First ever dinosaur fossil discovered on Antarctica identified as a titanosaur | Natural History Museum
Antarctica was once a thriving, forested ecosystem filled with a diversity of dinosaur life.
06715
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
The smallest centipedes have 30 legs, while the largest ever discovered had 382 👀 🐛 Despite the name, no centipede with exactly 100 legs has ever been found. Surprising science explains why!
36820
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
It’s going to be another scorcher few days in London! ☀️ If you're visiting us during this hot weather, please take extra care as our galleries can get quite warm and busy. Explore at your own pace, stay hydrated and speak to a member of staff if you need any help. 🦕
The diplodocus bronze cast in the Natural History Museum gardens.
05111
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Have you ever noticed the minerals and rocks displayed along the Hintze Hall balconies? 🪨 Take a look at their colours and shapes during your next visit!
Various rocks and minerals of different sizes and colours displayed on grey metal plinths. In the background, there are tall arched windows.
2437
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Have you ever said hi to Charles Darwin in Hintze Hall? 😮 This 2.5 tonne marble statue was unveiled in 1885, only a year and a half after the Museum opened. After being moved to make way for a statue of Richard Owen, it took centre stage in Hintze Hall in 2008!
A marble statue of Charles Darwin. He has a long beard and wears a suit jacket and trousers. His legs are crosse and his hands rests on his lap. Behind him, there’s a brick wall.
4505
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
We love our beautiful 1930s blue whale model! 🐳 This is a particularly impressive model, as it was built at the time when living whales weren’t studied. To make it, its makers had to rely on images of carcasses stranded on beaches. Have you seen it before?
A large blue whale model suspended from the ceiling. Above it, there’s the skeleton of another way, also suspended from the ceiling.A large blue whale model suspended from the ceiling. Above it, there’s the skeleton of another way, also suspended from the ceiling.A large blue whale model suspended from the ceiling. On either side, there’s a whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. On the right-hand side, there’s multiple specimens displayed on white plinths.
1482
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Have you ever seen a red deer? What about a pink flamingo, or a blue shark? 🦩🦈 You can see them plus dozens of others in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition! Find out more and book your tickets: brnw.ch/21x3iO4 The exhibition is supported by Lead Corporate Sponsor, Nuveen.
A blue shark swimming in deep blue water. It has a light and dark body and fins on its back.  A close-up of a flamingo. It has light pink feathers and a vibrant pink beak. One of its legs is bent and pointing towards its head.  A deer stag bellowing with its mouth wide open. It has large, brown antlers and brown fur.
0183
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the Museum? Dig into the ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and other marine reptiles we look after ⬇️
From a portable lift, Dr Marc Jones takes a photo of a scale bar next to the skull of an Attenborosaurus specimen mounted on the wall of our Fossil Marine Reptile Gallery.
2408
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Did we miss any? 🌊 For #WorldOceansDay, we're highlighting the monsters of the deep that once swam in our oceans 😮💦 You can find more legends of Earth’s prehistoric oceans in our latest exhibition Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep.
4728
Natural History Museum, London @nhm-london.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Was the ancient reptile Eunotosaurus africanus an early turtle ancestor? 🐢 Scientists initially thought so because of its wide, flattened ribs resembling an early turtle shell. But new analysis of their fossils is reshaping the reptile family tree. Learn more 👇 www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
nhm.ac.uk
New fossil analysis rewrites the origin of turtles | Natural History Museum
An ancient reptile once thought to be an early turtle ancestor actually belonged to an entirely different group.
0176