Category Archives: Animals

The teething of the shrew

Posted on March 7, 2018 by

How do you tell apart Canada’s 19 species of shrews? Elliot Schmidt says it’s a no-brainer: Look at the teeth. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Collections, Mammals, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Small pond holds big fish diversity, and drama

Posted on November 29, 2017 by

It’s a small pond at the Canadian Museum of Nature’s research facility, but there’s big fish drama swimming in it. Museum summer student Francesco Janzen reveals a diverse world of finned deception, conflict and even a fish that uses electricity to catch its prey – all under the surface of a little pond. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Nature Inspiration, Water | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Going Hunting in Texas

Posted on November 29, 2016 by

Search for an elusive insect with museum entomologist Robert Anderson. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Fieldwork, Species Discovery and Change | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Arachnophilia: Spiders of the Museum Research Campus

Posted on October 28, 2016 by

Two students don’t have to wait for Halloween to get to know mysterious beasts. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Collections, Fieldwork, Research | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How Did Those Mussels Get to the Museum’s Pond?

Posted on August 29, 2016 by

The surprising voyage taken by mussel larvae—which are attached to fish—to reach and colonize one of our ponds. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Fieldwork, Research | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Searching for Pearly Mussels in the Rideau River during the Hottest Days of Summer

Posted on July 25, 2016 by

Sixteen years after the first study, what is the state of native mussels in Ontario’s Rideau River? Research scientist André Martel and team will be diving all summer to find out. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Fieldwork, Research, Species Discovery and Change | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Setting Up House: Acquiring and Caring for Live Beetles

Posted on June 2, 2016 by

What’s involved in getting the live beetles into the museum for exhibition? Overseas shipping, custom housing and a gentle touch are just some of the requirements outlined by animal-care technician Stuart Baatnes. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Animals in Our Galleries, Exhibitions, Live animals at the museum, Tools of the trade | Tagged | 2 Comments

Dinos of Canada stamps Stampede into Canada Post Outlets

Posted on May 26, 2016 by

It’s not every day a palaeontologist introduces a new dinosaur species to the world! Jordan Mallon tells the story of “Judith”, the new horned dinosaur that he recently identified at the museum with colleagues. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Fossils | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Cave Weevils in North America

Posted on April 5, 2016 by

Caves are known for their magnificent geologic structures, but the richness of their biodiversity is emerging into the light. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Fieldwork, Research, Species Discovery and Change | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Museum of Nature as a rare species hub

Posted on March 15, 2016 by

Endangered? Threatened? Not at Risk? Jennifer Doubt shares some roles the museum plays in COSEWIC, the national committee that assesses the extinction risk of plants and animals in Canada. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Collections, Fieldwork | Tagged , , | 2 Comments