The State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe is not only a favorite destination amongst Karlsruhe visitors: with its outstanding collections and research activities, it is also one of Germany’s largest natural history museums.
The permanent collections are exhibited in over 5,000 square metres of display space, presenting native and exotic wildlife from different regions of the world in natural-looking dioramas of their habitats. Live animals from the Vivarium are also integrated in the exhibitions. For example, the State Museum of Natural History’s “mascot,” the giant salamander Andrias, is a living fossil that helps to illustrate the history of our earth. The model of a pterosaur with its ten-metre wingspan was constructed in the museum and seems to soar through the air in the atrium. Rocks, fossils and minerals from the Upper Rhine region provide visitors with a unique view of the geological history of our region.
In addition to the permanent exhibitions, its temporary special exhibitions focus on a wide spectrum of topics.
The Vivarium is one of the special attractions of the State Museum of Natural History. In aquariums and terrariums that mimic natural habitats, visitors can admire exotic animals ranging from the poison dart frog to the rattle snake, Mediterranean Sea dwellers such as the octopus and the catshark, and a rainbow array of tropical fish.
The work done by the team of botanists, entomologists, geoscientists and zoologists not only makes important contributions to international research, but also directly effects wildlife protection and nature conservation. These scientists’ publications and expert knowledge facilitate the work of nature conservation authorities in Germany and abroad, providing a foundation of data and facts to support political decision-making on ecological and economic issues.
Adress
Erbprinzenstraße 13
76133 Karlsruhe
