Zoology
TMAG is the state repository of Tasmanian zoological and palaeontological specimens.
These represent more than 150 years of museum acquisitions, consistent with TMAG’s origins in the Royal Society of Tasmania.
We continue to add to the collections, through donations and participation in expeditions and research voyages.
Our Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology collections aim to represent the fauna of Tasmania in all its diversity – from sea floor to mountain top, and from tiny snails to mighty whales.
Our Palaeontology collections aim to extend that coverage back in time by millions of years.
These are working collections, maintained to advance knowledge of the fauna through specimen-based research, often in collaboration with mainland Australian or overseas institutions.
Examples include publishing descriptions of new species; publishing species checklists; working out what lives (or lived) where around the state; and exploring animal diets, population genetics and physiological responses to a changing environment.
Please Note:
TMAG has suspended public intake of bird and mammal specimens as a precaution against H5 Bird Flu risk. Members of the public are asked not to bring dead birds or mammals to TMAG for the State Collection.
The decision to suspend the intake of bird and mammal specimens is a precautionary one and will remain in place until further notice.
**Members of the public can report sick or dead animal and bird discoveries to the Tasmanian Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888 or through the online reporting form on the NRE website. More information is available on the NRE website via this link.
