Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science At MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, meet native reptiles, fishes, & amphibians in aquariums! Walk the Dinosaur Trail.

See Zygorhiza, Mosasaurus, & a giant Sloth. Explore trails in natural habitats. Play at LeFleur’s Bluff Playground. MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is located in Jackson, MS, - tucked within the hills of Lefleur’s Bluff State Park – and is an ideal location for a museum whose mission is focused on the promotion and protection of Mississippi’s natural landscape and its inhabitants. www.twitter.com/MSScienceMuseum
www.instagram.com/mssciencemuseum
http://www.mdwfp.com/museum

Science Fest is almost here, and we need volunteers to help make these three days of hands-on science and learning a suc...
08/30/2026

Science Fest is almost here, and we need volunteers to help make these three days of hands-on science and learning a success!

Tinker Tuesday, Field Trip Friday, and MS Science Fest are all looking for volunteers. There are opportunities throughout the week, so find the day that works for you. Sign up for one day or all three!

🔗 Sign up and find all the details:
https://www.mdwfp.com/museum-natural-science/volunteer-museum

✨️Museum Staff Spotlight: Maeve Ireland!If you’ve visited the museum recently, you may have been greeted by Maeve at our...
08/29/2026

✨️Museum Staff Spotlight: Maeve Ireland!

If you’ve visited the museum recently, you may have been greeted by Maeve at our front desk! As a Customer Service Representative, Maeve helps welcome guests and prepare for the school groups and families who visit throughout the week.

Born and raised in Mississippi, Maeve grew up visiting the museum and has always had a love for wildlife. She even kept leopard geckos and a corn snake as a kid!

One of Maeve’s favorite parts of the job is seeing young visitors get excited to see and learn about Mississippi wildlife here at the museum.

Read the full Spotlight and learn more about Maeve’s journey to the museum on our Foundation page:
https://mmnsfoundation.org/news/maeveirelandspotlight

How do geckos stick to walls and ceilings? Their adhesive toe pads are an incredible example of biological nanotechnolog...
08/29/2026

How do geckos stick to walls and ceilings? Their adhesive toe pads are an incredible example of biological nanotechnology.

Join us Tuesday, September 1, as Dr. Travis J. Hagey, Associate Professor of Biology, explores the ecology and origins of the gecko adhesive system. Using live specimens, lab and field data, and high-resolution imaging, Dr. Hagey will examine patterns of trait development, biomechanics, and ecological morphology.

Learn more at https://www.mdwfp.com/events/september-2026-noon-lecture

We’re excited to welcome a selection of Mustard Seed items to the Dragonfly Gift Shop! 🎉 We look forward to continuing o...
08/28/2026

We’re excited to welcome a selection of Mustard Seed items to the Dragonfly Gift Shop! 🎉 We look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with the Mustard Seed and sharing their work with our visitors.

The Mustard Seed is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving adults with developmental disabilities. Their products include uniquely created ceramic pieces and items featuring artwork created through their program.

Purchasing Mustard Seed items helps support the organization and the individuals they serve.

Learn more about the Dragonfly Gift Shop at https://www.mdwfp.com/museum/dragonfly-shop

Our two headed rat snake is celebrating her birthday this month!🎂 At 23 years old, she is believed to be the oldest reco...
08/27/2026

Our two headed rat snake is celebrating her birthday this month!🎂 At 23 years old, she is believed to be the oldest recorded two headed snake in captivity.

In 2003, a family in Lawrence County, Mississippi, discovered this unusual eight inch long hatchling and donated her to the museum.

Both heads eat and drink, but the right head appears to have more control of the body. Despite her unusual anatomy, she has lived a remarkably long life.

Happy birthday to one of the museum’s most unique residents! 🎉

We loved having the STRIVE crew visit the museum!STRIVE helps students build vocational skills through community-based w...
08/26/2026

We loved having the STRIVE crew visit the museum!

STRIVE helps students build vocational skills through community-based work experiences. We’re glad to be part of that experience. Thanks for spending the day with us and learning more about the museum!

📸 It's Monday, show us something you've seen in nature.Featuring an Asian Horntail captured by Ada Elizabeth Byrd.The As...
08/24/2026

📸 It's Monday, show us something you've seen in nature.

Featuring an Asian Horntail captured by Ada Elizabeth Byrd.

The Asian Horntail is a type of wood wasp. Native to Asia, it was accidentally introduced to North America in the 1970s and is now found throughout the Southeast, including Mississippi.

Asian Horntails use dead and dying hardwoods, including oak, hickory, and sweetgum, where their larvae develop inside the wood. Fortunately, they are not considered a threat to southern forests.

Share your nature photos in the comments for a chance to be featured in our Nature Series! 📸

Wildlife is everywhere! Sometimes, wildlife shows up in the most unexpected places. This bird decided a toilet paper rol...
08/23/2026

Wildlife is everywhere!

Sometimes, wildlife shows up in the most unexpected places. This bird decided a toilet paper roll was the perfect place to build a nest!

What’s the most unexpected place you’ve ever seen a bird nest?

📸Jennifer Jerrolds

On weekends, you may catch our educators having our animal care room open to the public! The animal care room has 11 dif...
08/22/2026

On weekends, you may catch our educators having our animal care room open to the public!

The animal care room has 11 different species of ambassador animals that are used for educating the public on Mississippi’s native wildlife. The animal care room also has coloring sheets for little ones to draw and dedicate to their favorite ambassador animal. Check out a couple of our favorites!

Address

2148 Riverside Dr
Jackson, MS
39202

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+16015766000

Website

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