The North Carolina State Museum of Natural Science's mammal collection, curated by Lisa Gatens, contains approximately 9,000 specimens and is one of the largest regional mammal collections in the southeast. The specimens are primarily from North Carolina and the Southeastern United States. The collection contains significant historical and recent holdings of all North American orders. Holdings are especially strong in Chiroptera, Rodentia, Carnivora, Cetacea, and Sirenia.

Collection materials include study skins, tanned hides, skulls, complete skeletons, and fluid-preserved material. A special collection, arranged by element (type of bone), is maintained to facilitate identification of mammal remains from zooarcheological and food habits studies. The collection contains some interesting articulated skeletons including a manatee and five great whales (Blue, Right, Humpback, Sperm and True's Beaked Whale) that are on exhibit. Our holdings of marine mammals include over 50 manatee skeletons, several species of Ziphiidae and many other whales and dolphins found in Atlantic waters.

Early acquisitions were by H.H. Brimley and C.S. Brimley, the Museum's cofounders and first curators. Although some specimens date to the early 20th century the collection really began to grow in the 1960s beginning with the efforts of David Adams. David Lee (current bird curator) and former museum director John Funderburg are responsible for considerable growth during the 1970s. The collection has grown steadily since the 1960s. Mary K. Clark was added to the staff as the first full-time mammal employee in 1980. Full-time collection manager and technician staff were added in the late 1990s.

Care of the collection is the responsibility of the permanent staff of the mammal unit, consisting of Curator Lisa Gatens and a Collection Manager. The permanent staff is often assisted by temporary staff, interns and volunteers. The mammal staff works closely with many universities, agencies and other institutions to acquire specimens for the collection.

The American Society of Mammologists - A "group dedicated to promoting interest in mammals throughout the world through research, education, and communication among scientists and the general public."

Mammal Species of the World - "contains the names of the 4,629 currently recognized species of mammals, in a taxonomic hierarchy that includes Order, Family, Subfamily, and Genus." From the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.

Bat Conservation International - Dedicated to the protection and restoration of bats and their habitats worldwide.

The Coalition of North American Bat Working Groups - A "diverse group of land managers, biologists, wildlife rehabilitators, and private citizens concerned with conserving bats and their habitats."

Cetacean Society International - "dedicated to the preservation and protection of all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and the marine environment on a global basis."

Manatee Information - Florida Marine Research Institute - News, photos, mortality statistics, "Manatee of the Month", and informative brochures.