The Biological Collections – The museum's treasure trove
As part of its specialized mission, the German Oceanographic Museum stores significant scientific collections of marine biology, fishing, oceanography and marine geology.
By German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Deutsches Meeresmuseum, Stiftung Deutsches Meeresmuseum
Hidden Treasures
The German Oceanographic Museum is home to a very special treasure. The museum's most valuable possessions are its collections. What makes them so special is how many of the 44,000 items are related to marine science. In a way, they are the visible story-tellers in these exhibitions about humans and the oceans.
Among these collections you’ll find exceptional pieces such as the famous leatherback turtle 'Marlene', the face mask of the elephant seal 'Roland' and the 15-metre-long fin whale skeleton in the 'Katharinenhalle' hall. These collections offer visitors a wonderful insight into a mysterious world which visitors seldom have an opportunity to experience. One of greatest challenges involves preserving our rarest, irreplaceable exhibits in optimal conditions.
Compartment with eggsGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
These cases store around 3,000 eggs from sea and coastal birds, all valuable specimens. No two eggs are the same.
The albatross drinks sea water and eliminates the salt through two nasal tubes in its beak.German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
This stately female plays a key role for the sponsorship campaign.German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Northern gannets are large and fairly heavy sea birds, with a long beak and conspicuously marked webbed feet.German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Gannets are large and relatively heavy seabirds with long beaks and conspicuously marked, webbed feet.
Specimen of a male snowy owl in the collection of the German Oceanographic MuseumGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Historical objects provide information about the range of species in times past.German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Historical objects give an insight into the spectrum of species from throughout the ages.
Krabbentaucher (Alle alle)German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
A velvet scoter and common scoter specimen is part of the German Oceanographic Museum collectionsGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Riesenammonit by Kreuzgang and Deutsches Meeresmuseum, DeutschlandGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
This is a reproduction of the biggest ammonite in the world, which sits in the Natural History Museum of Münster. The original was discovered in the Münster region in 1895.
When the nautilus grows, it moves to a new living chamber.German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
The pretty shells of cone snails are very popular among collectors.German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
The pretty shells of the cone snail are very popular among collectors.
ClamGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Giant isopodGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Sea spider in jarGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Goose barnacles (Lepas anatifera) on a fishing ropeGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
A composition of several specimensGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Seeteufel eingelegtGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
TiefseefischeGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Einblick in die FischsammlungGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Haie (Flüssigpröparat)German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
The ghost pipefish is perfectly camouflaged between algae.German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
Carved hornsGerman Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
German Oceanographic Museum, Foundation German Oceanographic Museum
