Vertebrate collections
The vertebrate collections comprise around 1.4 million specimens.
Attention
Following a serious cyberattack on our servers, some of our websites are currently unavailable for an indefinite period. Our teams are working flat out to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Our collection databases remain available for consultation.
Natural History Collections
- The Museum’s collections portal is once again accessible. Last updated: 01/04/2026
Documentary Collections
- Catalogue of archives, manuscripts, iconographic documents, works of art and Calames collection items
- Printed Works Catalogue
For any requests regarding access to the MNHN’s collections (loans, sampling, images, visits), please refer to the procedure outlined on the page for the collection relevant to your request.
Contact
Scientific Officer
Géraldine Veron
Head of Conservation Service
Anne Previato
Amphibian collection
The Muséum’s amphibian collection is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Bird collection
Birds are part of the theropod dinosaur group. While birds have many special characteristics such as a keratinised beak, feathers...
Comparative anatomy collection
Comparative anatomy allows to compare the anatomical characters of series of species, and thus to compare their shapes and...
Fish and ichthyology collection
Ichthyology, the study of fishes, concerns at least six groups of vertebrates: two groups of agnathans ( Myxini + Petromyzonti )...
Mammal collection
The mammal collection of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle comprises over 130,000 specimens, including over 1,500 types...
Reptile collection
The reptiles include five phylogenetic groups of amniote vertebrates: turtles, sphenodontians, squamates (snakes, amphisbaenians...