The Florida Museum’s Vertebrate Paleontology collections provide the most complete basis available for study of Cenozoic vertebrate life and evolution in the eastern United States and the circum-Caribbean Basin area.

Combined, the five separate collections total about 1,000,000 fossil specimens, of which more than 720,000 are catalogued and on a searchable online database. Holotypes number about 275 specimens. Learn more about the collections…

Special Message for Visiting Researchers

As of December 1, 2020, visiting researchers are allowed to work in the vertebrate paleontology collections of the Florida Museum of Natural History. All visitors must follow CDC protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including optional use of mask-wearing that covers the mouth and nose. Visiting researchers must arrange an appointment with either one of the curators or the senior collection manager.

All About Montbrook
fossil dig site

For the latest news about the Montbrook fossil site, about both the field and the museum collection, check out the Montbrook Fossil Dig blog.

Recent Research News From Our Collections

More research news…

TV Interview with Curator Dr. Jonathan Bloch

Recorded April 27 2022. https://www.news4jax.com/river-city-live/2022/04/27/digging-deep-into-floridas-fossil-history/

Alachua County bans fossil collecting in Gainesville creeks

On August 12, 2019 Alachua County issued a press release stating that digging for fossils is prohibited in creeks within the boundaries of the county, which includes the well known fossil-rich Gainesville Creeks. Residents of Alachua County are welcome to contact their county commissioner to voice support or opposition to this ruling. A 2021 news article on this issue can be found online.

Encyclopedia of Fossil Vertebrates of Florida

New additions to the species accounts are the rhino Teleoceras proterum, the vampire bat Desmodus stocki, and the muskrat Neofiber alleni. New additions to the descriptions of fossil sites are Gunn Farm Mine, Ichetucknee River, and the Montbrook Site. Let us know if there are any special species or fossil sites you want us to add.