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Humpback whale © Maria Teresa LarA.
PLUNGE DEEPER INTO THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF WHALES
Visitors can dive through one of the most compelling
evolutionary journeys in the new family exhibition, Whales, at
the Natural History Museum which complements the blue
whale skeleton taking centre stage in the Museum’s Hintze
Hall this summer.
More than 100 specimens from the
Museum’s research collection have been
brought out from behind-the-scenes for
the first time to show the huge diversity of
whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Complete skeletons reveal the secret to
swimming like a whale and skulls, flippers
and jaw bones uncover how they move,
breathe, feed and sense their surroundings.
Get up close to the variety of different
species, from the vast sperm whale, the
largest toothed predator on Earth that is
similar in length to a double decker bus,
through to the compact 1.5 metre long
harbour porpoise, one of the smallest
cetaceans. Explore their remarkable
adaptations to ocean living yet how they
are surprisingly much more like us than
you might expect.
See that, like humans, whales today
are sociable mammals that communicate
across vast distances and adopt popular
behavioural trends. Hear the sounds and
songs many species use to attract
potential mates and explore how their
complex brains enable them to
experience a range of emotions.
Sir Michael Dixon, Director of the
Natural History Museum adds: ‘The
specimens on show are part of the
world’s greatest resource for
understanding the ecology and
behaviour of whales. Scientists are
researching our cetacean collection to
uncover the mysteries of these
enigmatic creatures and monitor and
predict changes in their habitats. Oceans
are Earth’s largest natural resource but
are under huge pressure from human
activities such as over-fishing and
pollution. We must protect our oceans
for the benefit of future generations.’
Whales begins an extended season of
events at the Museum, exploring the
awesome power of nature and our
responsibility to protect our oceans.
Through its unique collection and
unrivalled expertise, it is tackling the
biggest challenges facing the world today.
It helps enable food security, eradicate
disease and manage resource scarcity.
t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e