Biology

Biology is the study of life and living organisms and their physical structure, function, development, and evolution. Our mounted and osteological specimens will encourage visitors to explore and compare physical structures, shapes, and scale of various vertebrates.

Many of the specimens on display are native to Louisiana. They include skull samples of raccoon, beaver, bobcat, fox, deer, alligator, dolphin, turtle, pelican, and more. Additionally, visitors will see mounted specimens including a grizzly bear, bobcat, and beaver.

High resolution, magnified images of insects and plants made with a scanning electron microscope allow us to learn about distinct features of insects and to see plant structures up close. See internal structures of a plant’s vascular system to learn how nutrients are transported to tissues. Compare and find differences between the structures of various plant species. Explore more images of insects and arachnids to learn about features that simply cannot be seen with the naked eye. Take for instance, the compound eye of a fly, the coiled proboscis of a moth or mosquito, and the hairs that trap pollen on a bee’s leg.

From docile and solitary to powerful pods of predators, Earth’s oceans are home to a variety of very large aquatic mammals – whales. Large format images encourage students to learn about various whale species, including Right whales, Orcas, Humpback whales, Sperm whales, and the largest animal inhabiting Earth – the Blue whale.

View the skull of Sei whale, a baleen whale that can grow to more than 50 feet in length and typically lives 50-70 years. The skull on display is a juvenile, female Sei whale, approximately 18 months old. She was recovered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries beached on Marsh Island on Louisiana’s coast.

Developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Ocean Today is an exciting, multimedia kiosk that features videos on all aspects of the ocean realm – exploration and discoveries, marine life and science, and research. Learn about weather patterns, hurricanes, storm surge, ocean temperatures, sea ice, fisheries, marine debris and pollution, the deep ocean, arctic exploration, whales, and more.