Comparing shells
Look beyond colour and size to the coiling, aperture and ribs. Features like these reveal how different molluscs build up hard protection, and they help to tell species apart.
The Wunderkammer
The cabinet of curiosities also shows gifts brought back from travels, including the stuffed little monkey Kabouter. Read provenance information critically: a curious object tells you about nature as well as about collecting and presenting.
A library behind the display cases
If you want to study shells in more detail, you can consult the specialised library by appointment. This shows that identifying and documenting require a different pace from looking around the gallery.
Before you go
The season runs from mid-April to early November. Temporary extended summer hours are mentioned elsewhere; check the visitor page for your date.
Sources
This information has been compiled from public sources. Not everything has been confirmed by the museum itself; please check opening hours and prices on the museum's website.