Did you know that freshwater mussels can filter between 8 and 15 gallons of water per day? Or that an octopus is a type of mollusk? Join us at Mollusk Research Day to learn more about mollusks: clams, oysters, mussels, cephalopods, snails, slugs, chitons and more. Mollusk experts from the Museum and beyond are excited to offer you their pearls of wisdom about these fantastic creatures.
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is a research-based museum with Museum staff who conduct novel research and steward our collections. Our Research Highlight Days feature these researchers and their fields of study. These events are held on the first floor of the Nature Research Center.
Activities
Take a close look at specimens from our Museum’s Mollusk Research Collection and marvel at the impressive diversity of mollusks in North Carolina. Learn how mollusk research happens from the experts themselves—our own staff of molluscan researchers.
Dive into the fascinating world of freshwater mussels! Watch incredible videos that reveal how these aquatic creatures ‘fish’ for survival in their underwater homes. Get up close with real shells from native species found in nearby streams, and feel the texture of these river gems. Meet professional biologists from NC State University who are working to protect these rare and vital species, and learn how you can help in the fight for their conservation.
More information coming soon!