The vertebrate teaching collection within the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources consists of roughly 15,000 specimens.  Nearly all of the specimens are used in conjunction with the teaching of our ecology and systematic courses (i.e., mammalogy, icthyology, ornithology, and herpetology).  These laboratory based courses give students an opportunity to learn to identify important species of North American vertebrates, with an emphasis on midwestern U.S. species.  Information regarding the ecology, natural history, and systematics is presented.  Through the use of a combination of preserved specimens, photographic images of selected species, field guides, and standard taxonomic keys, students have an opportunity to learn the characteristic features of some of the important North American vertebrates.  Our current collection houses nearly 3,500 bird study skins; 3,000 mammals skins and skulls; 2,000 wet amphibians and reptiles; and 7,000 wet fish specimens. 

Below are a few pictures of our teaching collection: