Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Hurray! Join us on Sunday, August 10th to celebrate 103 years of Gus the Gopher Tortoise.

Morning celebrations begin at 10am with crafts, scavenger hunts, and special guests.

Enjoy Gus storytime at 10:30am, followed by singing Happy Hatchday to Gus and official Gus walk at 11am. After this, cupcakes and lemonade will be available to visitors.



Then we do it again in the afternoon! Special Gus storytime starts at 1:30pm, with singing and official Gus walk at 2:00pm.



Throughout the day, we will have special programs and guests like the Canadian Sea Turtle Network, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, CARP, Coastal Action, and HalifACT.


Celebrations are included with Museum admission. And remember, the Museum is part of the Canada Strong Pass this summer, which means it is free to visit for youth under 17 years old, and discounted admission for young adults between 18-24 years old!



#MNH #Museum #Museums #Gus #GusMNH #Hatchday #Birthday #Celebrate #Party #BirthdayParty #August #GopherTortoise #Tortoise #Halifax #NovaScotia #VisitNovaScotia #ThingsToDo #HalifaxNS #Summer #Celebration

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 4

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Museum is now participating in the Canada Strong Pass Program from June 20 to September 2, 2025.
The Pass includes:
✅Free admission for children and teens aged 17 and under
✅ A 50% discount for young adults aged 18 to 24
We hope to see you on August 10th for our Hatchday Celebrations for Gus the Gopher Tortoise!

#GusMNH #CanadaStrongPass #Canada #Museum #NovaScotia

2 months ago | [YT] | 1

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

A Rare Amelanistic Redback Salamander!

In 2011, this unusual juvenile Amelanistic Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, was found in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, Nova Scotia, by Saint Mary’s University students and the late John Gilhen, Curator Emeritus from the Museum. Amelanistic salamanders lack melanin but preserve other pigments and therefore retain more coloration than an albino. Coloration anomalies, like amelanism, are more likely to occur in genetically isolated populations such as the one in Point Pleasant Park.


The Eastern Red-backed Salamanders is the most common and widespread salamander in Nova Scotia and can be found under logs and rocks in the forest. Amelanistic salamanders are uncommon, however red-back salamander have three different color variations: red-back, lead-back, and erythristic or all red. The red-back and lead-back colour morphs are more common throughout Nova Scotia.


Throughout his life, John Gilhen contributed many usual specimens to the Museum’s collection and records. His work greatly aided our understanding of local amphibians and reptiles. He hosted the annual Salamander Meander for many years. Sadly, John passed away this month.


Watch for more Super Salamander Facts this month!
Celebrating 50 years of Salamander Meanders with a Salute to Salamanders!


#salute2salamnders #supersalamanders #mnhmeander #salamanders #amphibians #naturefacts #springtime #april #rarefind #unusualamphibian

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4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Red-spotted Newts spend 2 to 7 years of their life in the Red Eft stage before returning to the pond and transforming into their aquatic adult form. They can be found throughout Nova Scotian wetlands.


Watch for more Super Salamander Facts this month!

Celebrating 50 years of Salamander Meanders with a Salute to Salamanders!


#salute2salamnders #supersalamanders #mnhmeander #salamanders #amphibians #naturefacts #springtime #april #newts

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4 months ago | [YT] | 2

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

According to mythology, salamanders are born from fire, therefore have a resistance to fire and even may be able to create fire. 🔥


Where does this myth come from?


Salamanders can often be found inside logs and if these logs were thrown on a fire the salamanders would run out of the logs. Their cool wet bodies would possibly protect them from the flames.


So, salamanders can't create fire!😊


Real Fire salamanders live in the damp forests of southern and central Europe and prefer water over fire!


Watch for more Super Salamander Facts this month!

Celebrating 50 years of Salamander Meanders with a Salute to Salamanders!


#salute2salamnders #supersalamanders #mnhmeander #salamanders #amphibians #naturefacts #springtime #april #mythbusting #mythology #myth

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4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Salamanders can regenerate several different body parts. Which one of these body parts can’t they regenerate?

Leg? Tail? Head? Organs?



Salamanders can regenerate all those body parts!

Amazingly, salamanders can regenerate their legs, tail, part of their head and vital organs such as the heart, jaw, and parts of the spinal cord. It may only take weeks to replace their missing part without any sign of a scar!


Watch for more Super Salamander Facts this month!


This year marks 50 years of Salamander Meanders! To celebrate we are doing a Salute to Salamanders!
• Join us for a Wee Wild Ones Salamander Program on Tuesday, April 8th at 10:00 AM.
• Watch the Salamander videos on our YouTube Channel!
• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for Super Salamander Facts
• You can visit the Salamanders at the Museum


#salute2salamnders #supersalamanders #mnhmeander #salamanders #amphibians #naturefacts #springtime #april

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4 months ago | [YT] | 2

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

A glimpse into Pjila'si, a new exhibit at your Museum.


Pjila'si means "welcome" in Mi'kmaw. This is not just an exhibit, but an interactive space that celebrates Mi'kmaw culture. It brings to life the knowledge, skills, and adaptability of the Mi'kmaw people throughout history and to this day.


Pjila'si will fully open to the public starting on Friday, March 7th. This beautiful exhibit will live on at the Museum and we welcome you to come in and sit down.


#MNH #Pjilasi #Kjipuktuk #Mikmaki #Halifax #NovaScotia #Museum #Museums #Exhibit #March #NewExhibit #History #Heritage

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5 months ago | [YT] | 1

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Past and present collide in Monsters of the Abyss. Explore the biggest, most famous and feared aquatic predators through time with this all new exhibit.


Visitors will dive into the history of amazing prehistoric and modern day aquatic predators and learn about their ecology and why they were so feared.


Learn about extinction level events, marvel at massive models, and see the "monsters" in our own oceans, rivers and lakes that are still around today!


Monsters of the Abyss opens February 14th, 2025. 💚


#MNH #MOTA #MonstersOfTheAbyss #NewExhibition #NewExhibit #ComingSoon #OpeningSoon #Halifax #NovaScotia #NaturalHistory #NaturalHistoryMuseum #ValentinesDay #New #Feburary #Monster #Predator #Aquatic #Museum

7 months ago | [YT] | 1

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History is thrilled to introduce the opening of a new exhibit on March 6th, 2025.

Pjila'si, meaning "welcome" in Mi'kmaw, is not just a gallery. It's an interactive space that celebrates Mi'kmaw culture. It brings to life the knowledge, skills, and adaptability of the Mi'kmaw people throughout history and to this day. It's a place to engage, learn, and reflect.


Pjila'si—We can't wait to welcome you.


#MNH #Mikmaki #Kjipuktuk #Halifax #NovaScotia #Museums

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8 months ago | [YT] | 1

Museum of Natural History - Halifax, Nova Scotia

Are Lego and Bricks taking over the Museum?

.... The answer is a resounding YES! (This was Gus the Brick Tortoise's attempt to get started).

Fantastic creations and a holiday village will return to your Museum, starting on Saturday November 16th.

Build up to your holiday season with a Museum visit. The displays will be on view until early 2025.

@maritimelug @hfxbrx @bricksbythesea
#MNH #BricksByTheSea #Lego #Bricks #Halifax #NovaScotia #ComingSoon #November #December #Holidays #HalifaxLocal #HalifaxNS

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9 months ago | [YT] | 3