Explore diverse wildlife at the Mammal Halls in the American Museum of Natural History

Explore wildlife native to North America, from the snowy habitats of Alaska to the deserts of the Southwest. Each diorama captures animals in moments of natural behavior: hunting, resting, or protecting their young. The backgrounds are based on real field research and locations, giving you a realistic look at North America's diverse landscapes.

• Featured exhibits: American bison and pronghorns, bighorn sheep, Alaskan moose

Named after explorer Carl Akeley, this hall houses some of the museum’s most famous displays. At its heart is a dramatic rotunda featuring a group of eight African elephants surrounded by murals and columns that reflect the African wilderness. The other displays include dioramas of lions, giraffes, gorillas, and more, all carefully curated and displayed in their natural habitats that range from the Serengeti to the Congo rainforest.

• Featured exhibits: African elephants, African lions, Water Hole diorama

See mammals from the vast and varied landscapes of Asia, from cold mountain zones to tropical forests, and how these species have adapted to their environments. The displays spotlight both familiar and rare animals in beautifully detailed dioramas that reflect the region’s biodiversity and environmental range.

• Featured exhibits: Asian elephants

This hall is focused on species found in the wilderness of New York. Dioramas recreate animals in seasonal settings like winter snow or autumn forests to show how they adapt to the region’s changing climate. Try to spot animals you might have seen in state parks, forests, or even your backyards!

• Featured exhibits: Coyote, lynx, porcupine, marten dioramas

Explore the world of non-human primates from around the world. See monkeys, apes, lemurs, and more, and explore their evolutionary traits, behaviors, and environments. Learn about their social structures, grooming habits, arboreal movement, and the ongoing conservation issues that threaten many of these species.

• Featured exhibits: Capuchin monkeys

This hall focuses on the world’s tiniest mammals and their massive ecological importance. From desert rodents to burrowing moles, these animals are shown in motion as they are digging, foraging, or climbing, to help you understand how their physical features and behaviors ensure survival in varied habitats.

• Featured exhibits: Northern flying squirrels, short-tailed weasel