From prehistoric giant lizards and ancient raccoons to newly discovered spiders and heroic extinct dugongs, NHMLAC researchers had a busy year describing new species. Meet some of the coolest creatures our researchers described this year, along with other inspiring discoveries.

Conoce a uno de los dos nuevos curadores de Entomología del Museo de Historia Natural, NHM y explora con nosotros la biodiversidad de arácnidos secreta en las entrañas de la tierra.

Welcome one of NHM’s two new Entomology Curators and explore the secret biodiversity of arachnids deep below the Earth’s surface

Welcome one of NHM’s two new Entomology Curators and discover some of the secrets hiding in ant DNA

Join LA Nature Quest this October and discover and share biodiversity across Los Angeles

The new specimen highlights the crucial relationship zoos play in ensuring rare and endangered species are represented in museum collections.

Discover one of the 1600 species of native California bees and the intimate portraits in conservation photographer Krystle Hickman's forthcoming book, The ABCs of California Native Bees 

When Southern California (or other bat-heavy areas) sees waves of extreme heat, the second-largest order of mammals can be put at significant risk. But with a little community assistance, our nocturnal neighbors like this Yuma myotis can sleep safely during hot days in a comfortable bat box — which you can easily build and install yourself.

Romel Pascual | CicLAvia

The story of the most famous polar bear in our collections