WELCOME

Our collection features a wide range of biological specimens and historical artifacts from various time periods on Utila. Take your time and immerse yourself in the rich history and beauty of nature.

Museum of Natural & Cultural History, Utila Island, Honduras

Our Virtual Museum Collections

Herpetofauna

A diverse array of frog, lizard, snake, turtle and crocodile specimens on Utila

Invertebrates

Dry pinned and wet specimens of insect, arachnids, crustaceans, and mollusk

Ornithology

Bats and Terrestrial Mammals

Terrestrial and flying mammals of Utila

Cetaceans

Skeletal specimens of Dolphins and Whale

Marine life

Pre-Columbian History

Collection of Bay Island artifacts dating from c. 600-1521 AD

Colonial History

Artifacts and relics dating from 16 - 19th century on Utila

Digital museum collections are crucial for preserving natural and cultural heritage and making it accessible to a wider audience

Herpetology Collections

Fifty wet preserved specimens of species on Utila, as well as various dry taxidermy, skulls, bones or voucher skins. Most our voucher specimens were found dead on roads (DOR); all were collected with permission of authorities, ICF. The collection offers insights into the diversity of species occuring on Utila, Honduras. A total of 46 species have been recorded on Utila to date.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Freshwater/Marine Turtles and Crocodile

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Mesoamerican Slider Turtle (Trachemys venusta)

Central American Snapping Turtle (Chelydra rossignoni)

Red-eared slider Turtle (Trachemys scripta)

Ornithology Collection

Twenty different species of birds are represented in our collections, of which, >75% are migratory species. Birds were collected opportunistically dead on road (DOR), or other circumstances, poor weather conditions, cats, exhaustion during migratory periods etc. Voucher material includes skulls, wet specimens, taxidermies and articulated skeletons, nests, eggs and feathers. Over 100 species are known to Utila.

Taxidermy Specimens

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Skulls and Skeletons

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Great Tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)

Turkey Vulture (Buitre americano cabecirrojo)

Bat Collection

Fourteen species of bats have also been registered on Utila, of which, we have 8 species vouchers in our collection.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Cetacean
Collections

Six different species of whale and dolphin are so far represented in our collection. Voucher material includes skulls, bones, teeth and articulated skeletons, collected with permissions during our study and attendance to various stranding events on Utila Island, including some materials of public donations.

False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens)

Skull of stranded newborn measuring 2.1 meters in body length. Skull showing teeth (non-erupted at time of death). Specimen recovered from the South Shore of Utila in July 2022.

False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens)

Skull of stranded newborn showing dorsal of skull maxillary bone. The stranding event was published in the Caribbean Journal of Science by Murcia et al. (2024)

Rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis)

Articulated skeleton of adult specimen from stranding event in Tradewinds, Utila, October 2023; measuring a total 2.3m body length.

Rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis)

Full lateral view of articulated skeleton on display at the museum. This stranding event was published in the Caribbean Journal of Science by Brown et al. (2024)

Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris)

Lateral view of skull. Specimen with part of spinal column, donated to museum in 2019, Jack Neils Beach, South Shore, Utila.

Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris)

Spinner dolphin skull (#2). Donated to the museum in 2021, from a stranded individual encountered on Sandy Cay, offshore Utila.

Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)

Lateral view of Pilot Whale skull. The skull belongs to 1 of 5 known pilot whales that stranded together at Airport Beach, Utila, 6 October 2008.

Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)

Dorsal view of skull.

Pilot whales can grow to 5.5 m in males and 3-7 m in females.

Dwarf Sperm Whale (Koiga sima)

The first record of this species on Utila, represented by a pregnant female specimen stranded at Paradise Regained on Utila, in June 2019. Case report published in Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals by Ramos et al. (2020)

Dwarf Sperm Whale (Koiga sima)

Articulated skeleton showing cranium and spinal cord. The stranded individual was buried for approximately 1 year before being exhumed. Due to conditions at the burial site, the skeletal remains exhibit advanced decomposition.

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Vertebrae of sperm whale recovered by divers on Utila Cays and donated to the museum in August 2024.

It is the largest of the toothed whales and the only living member of the genus Physeter and one of three extant species in the, including Koiga. Mature adults average 16 metres in length,

640x427-false-killer-whale-removebg-prev

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Marine Biodiversity

Over 50 Specimens

The Bay Islands is a renowned hotspot for marine biodiversity, and we must do all we can to protect it! Education plays an important role in fostering a connection with marine ecosystems. Our collection consists of specimens collected and preserved opportunistically. Sea Shells and Molluscs, Crustacreans, Corals, Fish, Shark, Cephalopods and much more are on display.

Pre-Columbian Collections

Manatee Ocarina

Globular-duct ocarina in the spiritual form of manatee. This finely crafted ceremonial instrument produces a series of tuneful notes. Dates to 800-1500 AD

Toad Applique

A decorative sherd of a Las Vegas Polychrome ceramic vessel in the form of a toad or frog.

Ear Tunnel

An ear tunnel, expander or stretcher carved from shell. This native adornment was found inside the Freshwater Cave, believed to date to at least 500 years old. Pierced ear flares were a common cultural practice among mesoamerican cultures, such as the Maya.

Incense Burner

A type of ceramic vessel identified as an incense burner, characterised by rows of spines protruding from around the rim, believed to represent the body of a celestial crocodile, or spines of the Ceiba "tree of life".

Obsidian Dagger

A well-worked, thinly knapped obsidian blade, likely forming part of a knife, dagger, or potential spear tip. Such items were important domestic tools for daily life, as well as roles in ceremony, sacrafice and offerings.

Round Mano

A round stone mano, a domestic tool used in grinding and beating of corn, yucca and other grains to produce flour. This example was recovered from a coastal archeological site, bearing marine encrustations.