University Museum of Zoology

The University Museum of Zoology (UMZC) is a museum located in Cambridge, England, and is part of the University of Cambridge. The museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and display of zoological specimens and artefacts. The museum’s collection includes a wide variety of animals from all over the world, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. The collection is focused on the study of the diversity and evolution of life, and it is used for research, teaching and public engagement.

Items you may see on display include:

• Specimens of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates, including many rare and extinct species
• Skeletons, skulls, and other bones
• Stuffed animals and mounts
• Specimens preserved in jars and bottles
• Fossils and cast replicas
• A collection of over 3 million insects, including many species from tropical regions
• A large collection of bird eggs and nests
• An extensive collection of British and Irish mammals, including many extinct species

The University Museum of Zoology (UMZC) has a vast collection of many important and interesting specimens and artefacts, some of which are considered to be famous and well-known pieces. However, as the collection is mainly used for research, not all the specimens are on display for the public. Some of the most famous and well-known pieces in the collection include:

• The “Darwin’s Beetle” a specimen of the beetle Calosoma sycophanta, collected by Charles Darwin during his voyage on HMS Beagle.
• The “Great Auk” a specimen of the extinct flightless bird, also known as “pinguinus impennis”.
• The “Tring Lion” a specimen of the extinct Barbary lion, Panthera leo leo, which was discovered in the Tring area.
• The “Thylacine” or Tasmanian Tiger, an extinct marsupial from Australia
• The “Quagga” an extinct subspecies of the plains zebra
• The “Goral” an extinct species of goat-antelope from the Himalayas

These are just some examples, and the UMZC has a vast collection of many other important and interesting specimens and artefacts. It’s worth visiting the museum’s website or calling ahead to check what is currently on display, and what are the most recent research findings that are being studied.