Unique Finds at the Museum of Osteology

Humpback whales use their large baleens to trap food in their mouths. They travel in groups and have distinct markings on their tails, making them easy to identify to researchers. Humpback whales are an endangered species, with only about 10% of the original numbers remaining.

Komodo dragons use their sharp teeth to rip meat off. They can also swallow their prey whole. These animals use their tongue to do most of their sensing, as they have limited hearing and lack cone cells that support color vision. Amazingly, some can reproduce via parthenogenesis.

An endangered species of rhinoceros, with only about 80 existing in the wild. This female rhino was named Suci (Soo-Chee) and died of hemochromatosis, a condition characterized by excess iron in the body that leads to serious complications, a common disease in rhinos.

Unfortunately, rhinos are hunted aggressively for their horns, as some eastern medical practices believe they have powerful healing properties. Horns are made of keratin, the same protein in our hair and nails.

There are two members of the family Hippopotamidae, the common hippopotamus, and the pygmy hippopotamus.  The hippo skeleton has 219 bones, a number that was previously unknown to the scientific community. These animals are the most dangerous land mammals in Africa.

They are the 3rd largest land mammal and their name translates to "water horse". Despite their large canines, hippos are herbivores and only use their teeth to fight. These canines are ever-growing. Though they spend a lot of time in water, they can't swim or float!

This chimpanzee skull on display was donated by a NASA scientist and photographer. This chimpanzee was a member of the NASA space chimp program. Chimpanzees were used in the early days of space exploration to help determine if space travel was safe for humans.

Chimpanzees are a species of great ape that are found in Africa. They are known to use tools like sticks and rocks to get their food and even engage in hunting other primates. Chimps are also extremely intelligent, able to count and behave collaboratively.

Dermestes maculatus beetles and their larva are used to clean bones here at the museum. They only eat carrion, which is decomposing flesh. They do not harm the bone or living creatures. They are nature's cleaners!