Geology
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Geology Collection contains an excellent representation of the gemstones, minerals, and ore deposits of the state of North Carolina with approximately 7,500 specimens.
Herpetology
A collection of approximately 265,000 specimens of amphibians & reptiles dating back to the late 1800s, with strong representation of the Southeast U.S. (especially the Carolinas) and mainland Southeast Asia. The collection houses fluid-preserved specimens, skeletons, skins, tissues for molecular analyses, and supporting materials.
Ichthyology
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Ichthyology Collection contains approximately 1.3 million specimens. These collections span 42 countries and also represent one of the largest and most complete regional collections in the United States.
Invertebrate Paleontology
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Invertebrate Paleontology Collection contains approximately 56,000 specimens (11,000 lots) representing more than 1400 species. Founded in the late 1800s, the collection consists of approximately 80% North Carolina material, although a total of 40 states and 39 countries are represented.
Mammalogy
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Mammalogy Collection contains approximately 20,000 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.
Meteorites
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Meteorite Collection consists of a diverse array of samples that provide a comprehensive view of the early solar system and planet formation.
Mollusks
A collection of over half a million specimens that is comprised 83% freshwater species (mussels, fingernail clams and snails), 10% marine species and 7% terrestrial species (snails).
Non-molluscan Invertebrates
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Non-molluscan Invertebrates Collection houses well over 250,000 specimens representing more than 20 phyla. It includes one of the largest collections of freshwater crayfish in, and of the southeastern United States, and one of the largest and most historically important collections of marine invertebrates in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Ornithology
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Ornithology Collection is one of the three largest of its kind in the southeastern United States and is the only collection of significant size in North Carolina. Its 20,000 specimens represent 26 of 27 orders, 135 families, 598 genera, and 1,500 to 2,000 taxa.
Paleobotany
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Paleobotany Collection contains approximately 1600 specimens representing 109 genera. Founded in the early 1900s, the collection consists of approximately 21% North Carolina material as well as material from 25 other states and 13 countries.
Vertebrate Paleontology
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Vertebrate Paleontology Collection contains approximately 63,000 specimens representing more than 400 genera. Founded in the early 1900s, this collection consists of approximately 89% North Carolina material, although a total of 31 states and 21 countries are represented.