Identification enquiries
A flower crab spider, Misumena vatia - one of many types of British spider that our enquiry service is frequently asked to identify.
Whether you find a strange creature in your bath, a new plant in your garden, an unusual object on the beach, a fascinating fossil or beautiful mineral, our dedicated staff will help identify it for you. We run an Identification and Advisory Service through the Centre. We are open for drop in enquiries Monday to Friday, and the first Saturday and Sunday of the month (the second after bank holidays).
The Centre for UK Biodiversity only handles identification enquiries. If you have an enquiry about the Museum's collections, or a commercial enquiry, please visit the science consulting pages.
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Identification enquiries
If you've found an animal, plant, fossil or mineral that you can't identify then send your enquiry to our experts using this form.
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Identification guides and keys
How do you tell a hairy-footed flower bee from a red-tailed bumblebee, or a chestnut worm from a compost worm? Find out in the Museum's identification guides.
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Bug forum
Ask questions and share identification tips about all types of British bugs, from bees to beetles and wasps to woodlice. Museum insect-experts are on hand to answer your questions.
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About the Centre for UK Biodiversity
Find out how to visit the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity and what facilities you can find there.
Toolbox
Until 1938 whale carcasses were buried in the Museum grounds so that their flesh would decay leaving only the skeletons.
