Zoology
The Zoology Department of the Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ) is dedicated to studying, preserving, and promoting Jamaica’s unique wildlife. Our work supports conservation efforts, scientific research, and public education to ensure that future generations can appreciate and protect our island’s rich biodiversity.
WHat we do
Research and Species Identification
Biodiversity Conservation
Support Education and Public Awareness
A sneak peek in our collection
Specimen of American Crocodile
Specimen of Hawksbill Turtle
Specimen of Jamaican Coney
Did You Know
Jamaica is a bird paradise?
Jamaica has snoring frogs?
Jamaica has a giant butterfly?
The Museum’s zoology collection consists of over 110,000 specimens. It contains specimens from other countries in the Caribbean, and represents a wide variety of faunal classes including insects, spiders, mollusks, crustacea, amphibians, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. The collection houses two (2) specimens of the extinct Jamaican Petrel, Pterodroma Caribbean and several specimens of species classified as threatened, rare or endangered. The oldest specimens include a moth from 1879.
JAMAICAN BAT EXHIBITION
The Zoology Department of the Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ), in partnership with Bat Conservation International (BCI) and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), presents an exciting new exhibition on Jamaican Bats! This exhibition features several of Jamaica’s bat species, with a special focus on two critically endangered species that are found in only a few caves on the island. Visitors will learn about ongoing local and global conservation efforts aimed at protecting these species and the important role bats play in our ecosystems. The exhibition will also challenge negative misconceptions about bats and highlight their ecological significance.
Photo: Sherri and Brock Fenton
The Jamaican Flower Bat (Phyllonycteris aphylla) is a critically endangered species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is endemic to the country - only found in Jamaica.
Photo: Josh Hydeman
The St. Clair Cave in Linstead, St. Catherine is home to over 2 million bats from at least 10 different species. It is the only known home of the critically endangered Jamaican funnel-eared bat (Wildlife Jamaica, 2023).
(From left to right) John Flanders (BCI), Kevin Pierson (BCI), Michele Creed-Nelson (IOJ), Gillian Guthrie (MWECC) and Leonard Francis (NEPA)