NEWS

  The largest terrestrial leech in the South, Haemopis septagon, has terrifying eating habits. Yet, its presence in pristine ecosystems indicates that it might be beneficial in a way yet to be discovered. “A wise tinker saves all the pieces,” says NC Museum of Natural Sciences Emeritus Curator Alvin Braswell, “It’s a little dangerous to… Read More >

Our state is a hotspot for discovering fossilized shark teeth. We talked to an expert to learn why — and get some tips on how to find them. by Emma Deal, Nelie Tahssili & Eliza Martin Shark in the water. Photo: Joshua Steadman. Among our bragging rights here in Raleigh, we like to remind folks… Read More >

Eastern glass lizard with full tail. Photo: Jeff Beane/NCMNS. The Ocracoke Observer recently highlighted the glass lizard, and interviewed Museum Collections Manager of Herpetology Jeff Beane. Glass lizards, also known as legless lizards, got their name because their tails easily break (sometimes into several pieces like glass) when grabbed by a predator. People often confuse… Read More >

 Video: Aleksandr Ivanov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. (Trimmed) By Rachel L. Smith, Head, Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab and Curator, Meteorites Let’s take a moment to marvel at our asteroids, ancient relics from planet formation about 4.6 million years ago! Most of these primitive rocky leftovers reside in the asteroid belt between… Read More >

Sagebrush, meadows and hills at sunset in Lamar Valley. Photo: Melissa Dowland/NCMNS. Twelve North Carolina educators recently returned from Yellowstone National Park on one of the Museum’s Educators of Excellence Institutes. They spent ten days exploring the ecology and geology of our first national park, learning from experts and getting ideas and information to bring… Read More >