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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
@mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
270 followers 33 following 310 posts
Museum of Natural History located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Part of the Nova Scotia Museum family, sharing Nova Scotian natural and cultural history.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · Jan 27
Welcome to the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. We love (and love to share about) the amazing natural world around us and the unique cultural groups in our province.
Mink frog on white background. Eastern painted turtle on white background.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 19h
What's your favourite Gus Halloween costume?
Gus the gopher tortoise on white background with photoshopped black spider legs coming out of his shell and black and white eye masks on his face. Gus on white background with photoshopped black bat wings coming out of his shell. Gus the gopher tortoise on white background with his shell photoshopped as an orange pumpkin and the stem above his head.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 3d
The Museum of Natural History is open regular hours this long weekend, including Monday. We are open 9:30am - 4:30pm daily.
Gus the gopher tortoise facing the camera, on white background. His shell has been photoshopped to look like an orange pumpkin.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 5d
quillwork pop up with Melissa Peter Paul. October 18, 2025, 4:30-6:00pm and 7:00-8:30pm. Chat with Melissa and learn about her practice while she demonstrates quillwork and sells her work. Free admission, everyone welcome. 1747 Summer Street, Pjila'si Gallery. White background, image of quillwork with eight pointed star, and museum logo.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 5d
A little #Museum #ASMR for you.

Sound on for gentle brushing sounds.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 6d
The Mi’kmaq have a deep relationship with Kataq (Eels). To read more - www.uinr.ca/wp-content/u...

#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #Mikmaq #Kataq
Right image is a photo of an American Eel on red sand. Left image is a close-up illustration of a soft brown and yellow adult eels. The eel is haloed by soft white- yellow colour and a teal colour background. There are smaller images of the different life stages of eel around the edges. Text: Kataq (Eels) are significant to the Mi’kmaq culture. Learn more - https://www.uinr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/eel-poster-website-1.pdf Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 6d
#Kataq live in unique ecosystems like the #SargassoSea, #NovaScotia and other waterways along the Atlantic coastline. Kataq and their habitats are susceptible to environmental disasters, #ClimateChange, manmade obstructions and unsustainable harvesting. species-registry.canada.ca/index-en.htm...
Left image is of a map locating the Sargasso Sea within the Atlantic Ocean. The land masses are black, the ocean water is teal, the currents surrounding the Sea are marked as pink arrows and a white circular area identifies the Sargasso Sea. Inset image of eels swimming shot from below photo by Mathieu Foulquie Biosphoto, Minden Pictures. Central image of the Cabot Trail, Bras d'Or lookout, photo by Megan Hirons Mahon. Right image is an aerial photo over Shubenacadie, photo by Megan Hirons Mahon. Text: Kataq live in various habitats throughout their life from the Sargasso Sea to inland estuaries and coastal waterways. These ecosystems can be affected by environmental hazards, climate change and human activities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL2JMRNV7cw. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 6d
#Kataq hatch as Larva and live in the #SargassoSea until they migrate inland to freshwater. Between juvenile yellow stage to adult silver stage, Kataq live in #NovaScotia for over 20 years before returning to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. Learn more- www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvW...
Central image is a curved, silver bellied eel facing the left corner with a tapered mouth and small fins behind its gills. Text: American Eel. Orange circle, Threatened Species at Risk. As a migratory fish, American Eels (Kataq) live in saltwater and freshwater during different stages of their life cycle. Once adult size Kataq can measure 1 meter. #AmericanEels #NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #Mi’kmaq #Kataq. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 6d
American Eels (Kataq) are THREATENED. They are a migratory fish that lives in saltwater and freshwater at different stages of their life cycle. Once reaching adult size Kataq can measure 1 meter.
www.hww.ca/wildlife/fis...

#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #Mikmaq #Kataq
Alt text: Title page: Nova Scotia Wildlife Spotlight. Species at risk. Five coloured circles from left to right: Yellow is for endangered, orange is for threatened, pink is for vulnerable, violet is for extirpated, navy blue is for extinct. Image of the sky looking through trees from below. A weekly post spotlighting a different species currently at risk in Nova Scotia. #NSWildlifeSpotlight. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 7d
Hahaha it was a challenge (and fun!) to write!
mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 7d
We're inviting people to #draw in the #museum this #Nocturne (Saturday, October 18th!). Here are some staff drawings - we listen and we don't judge.
Pencil drawing of a yellow spotted salamander. It is very well done and realistic. Pencil drawing of a yellow spotted salamander. It is a bit more childlike but not bad. Pencil drawing of a yellow spotted salamander. It is...a very quick drawing. Pencil drawing of a yellow spotted salamander. The salamander is quite thick around the middle and the eyes are expressive.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 10d
In two weeks, it will be #Nocturne in #Halifax. A chance to enjoy art at night across the city, including at your #Museum!

We will be open until midnight on #Saturday, #October 18th, with free admission in the evening.
Exterior of the museum, a three storey brick building. Lights are on inside the building, as well as exterior street lights. The photo was taken at night.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 12d
Edit. #Wiskoq are important for basketmaking and other wood crafts due to the flexible quality of the wood.
mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 13d
This program is included with museum admission and not designed for schools or daycares. Wee Wild Ones runs on select Tuesday mornings in the fall, winter and spring, 10:00-11:00am. No registration is required.

#Halifax #Museum #NovaScotia #ThingsToDo #NaturalHistory
Green text reading "Wee Wild Ones" with a green salamander silhouette.
mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 13d
Wee Wild Ones is a drop in program for children between 0-5 years old and their parents/caregivers. It is part learning with museum specimens and exhibit adventures and part play with community.
A green fern in the forest.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 13d
We're less than a week away from the first Wee Wild Ones of the fall! Join us on Tuesday, October 7th at 10:00am to learn about forest animals.
An autumn forest
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 13d
A Mi’kmaw creation story has Kluscap create people by taking up his great bow and shotting arrows into the trunks of ash trees. In Mi’kmaw culture, #Wiskoq are important for basketmaking and other wood crafts due to the soft, porous quality of the wood.
#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk #Mi’kmaq
Upper left corner image of a young black ash tree. Upper center image of 9 green leaflets on a central stem. Upper middle image of a closeup of a young black ash tree struck. Right side image is of a purple dyed porcupine style Black Ash Mi’kmaw basket with lid containing four soft pink wooden flowers and circular top. Lower image is a closeup of how Black Ash wood separates along growth rings and can be split for basket making. Text, Wiskoq (Black Ash) is important to the Mi’kmaw culture. This hardwood tree can be split and bent into various baskets and other crafts. Traditional knowledge is used to identify which trees are right for basketmaking.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 13d
#NSWildifeSpotlight
#Wiskoq grow along swampy woodland stream and riverbanks with moving water. The loss of habitat and the alteration to wetlands is the primary threat to Wiskoq in Nova Scotia. Currently 1000 known specimens of Black Ash exit in #NovaScotia. For more info see: wisqoq.ca
Central image of a closeup of Black Ash tree bark. Overlapping image of 9 green leaflets on a stem and a small Black Ash basket with dark rim. Text, Black Ash Tree. Orange circle, Threatened Species at Risk. Habitat loss and changes to the wetland areas have impacted the number of Wiskoq (Black Ash) in Nova Scotia. To learn more about conserving Black Ash go to http://wisqoq.ca #NSWildlifeSpolight #Black Ash #SpeciesAtRisk #Mi’kmaq #Wiskoq. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 13d
The Black Ash tree ( #Wiskoq in #Mi’kmaq ) is THREATENED in NS. Black Ash is a broad-leaved hardwood growing to 15 to 20 m in height and 30 to 50 cm in diameter. The leaves consist of 7- 13 green leaflets feathering outward from a central stem. novascotia.ca/natr/wildlif...
Title page: Nova Scotia Wildlife Spotlight. Species at risk. Five coloured circles from left to right: Yellow is for endangered, orange is for threatened, pink is for vulnerable, violet is for extirpated, navy blue is for extinct. Image of the sky looking through trees from below. A weekly post spotlighting a different species currently at risk in Nova Scotia. #NSWildlifeSpotlight. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 18d
Porcupines are famous for their sharp quills that offer protection from predators. For hundreds of years, the Mi'kmaq have turned these quills into beautiful artwork.

Visit to learn more. The Museum is open 9:30am-4:30pm daily, including September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Quill-work boxes on display in the museum's Pjila'si exhibit. The boxes are different colours, shapes and sizes. A beaded red and white pillow is partially visible in the foreground.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 20d
#BlueFeltLichen exists because of symbiosis between fungal & cyanobacterium partners. Structure is provided by the fungous and the cyanobacterium produces photosynthesis for nutrients. Either would not survive without the other.
novascotia.ca/natr/wildlif...
#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk
Text: Blue Felt Lichens. Text bubble left: Do you want to make an alliance with me? I will build the home. Text bubble right: Yes, and I will make all the meals. Two stick-figures; one holding a hammer named Fungus and the other wearing a chief’s hat stirring named cyanobacterium. A relationship of symbiosis. Image top right, Blue Felt Lichen growing on tree bark. Central image, Lichens cross section diagram. Upper Cortex. Aigal zone. Medulla. Lower cortex. Rhizines. Light brown and beige colour illustrating pathways through the structure of the fungal layer and green circles illustrating the photosynthesis layer of the bacterium/ algae. Image to the lower right is a map of Nova Scotia pointing out areas Blue Felt Lichen grows. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 20d
#BlueFeltLichen is part of a group of lichens known as cyanolichens. Appearing as a large, blue-grey, scallop-like leafy shape growing on tree bark. Growing up to 10 cm in diameter. #Cyanolichens, are sensitive to air pollution, change in moisture and acid rain.
Text: Blue Felt Lichens. Pink circle, Vulnerable Species at risk. Nova Scotia’s provincial lichen since 2022. The Blue Felt Lichen is part if a group of lichens known as cyanolichens. #NSWildlifeSpolight #BlueFeltLichens #SpeciesAtRisk. Central image is a closeup of Blue Felt Lichen, appearing light blue grey with scalloped leafy edges and red-brown dots on top. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 20d
#BlueFeltLichen is VULNERABLE in NS.
Our Provincial Lichen can be found in high humidity, old growth forests and swampy areas. A Vulnerable species is one at a high risk of becoming Endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
www.canada.ca/en/environme...

#NSWildifeSpotlight #SpeciesAtRisk
Alt text: Title page: Nova Scotia Wildlife Spotlight. Species at risk. Five coloured circles from left to right: Yellow is for endangered, orange is for threatened, pink is for vulnerable, violet is for extirpated, navy blue is for extinct. Image of the sky looking through trees from below. A weekly post spotlighting a different species currently at risk in Nova Scotia. #NSWildlifeSpotlight. Logo: Museum of Natural History a part of the NSM.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 22d
Words from the wood turtle - don't be trashy, pick up litter.

#Halifax #Turtle #Litter
Close up of wood turtle, view from the front. Top view of wood turtle walking on grass. There is a fast food bag and bottle cap next to the turtle.
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mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 24d
Explore more about earth, space, and beyond with Science on a Sphere at your Museum. Data is provided by NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And then get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

#NovaScotia #GetOutside
Leaf covered path and lawns in the Halifax Public Gardens
mnhnovascotia.bsky.social
Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History @mnhnovascotia.bsky.social · 24d
During an equinox, the sun is shining equally on the northern and southern hemispheres - this makes it the only time of year when both the northern and southern poles are lit by sunlight at the same time!
Mersey River with the trees along the bank changing colour from green to red
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