Some mammals fly, others swim, run, walk, or climb; some mammals are big, others are very small; some mammals are herbivores, others are carnivores, omnivores, or insectivores - the diversity of mammals is remarkable, and the Burke Museum's mammalogy collection represents all 29 orders of mammals on the planet. Once a year, the public is invited to see, touch, and learn about the museum's collection of mammals at Meet the Mammals, a family-friendly event.

Meet the Mammals offers people of all ages a special opportunity to see and touch hundreds of specimens from the Burke Museum's mammalogy collection. Bones and pelts of mammals of all shapes and sizes will be on display all day long, and mammal experts will share their knowledge with visitors.

Other highlights of Meet the Mammals include:

• See fossils of prehistoric mammals from dinosaur times up through 10,000 years ago
• View art prints depicting marine mammals associated with Northwest Coastal Native cultures
• See objects from the Burke's archaeology and ethnology collections, illustrating the use of mammals as food, decoration, clothing, and tools in Native cultures
• Play mammal games and make mammal art
• See giant whale skulls and learn from experts from the Whale Museum
• Dress up like a mammal! Join a mammal costume contest for kids at 11 am and 1:30 pm. To be entered in the contest, please register at the front desk by providing your name and the name of your mammal. There is no fee to participate and ribbons will be awarded to all participants.

Meet the Mammals is presented by the mammalogy division of the Burke Museum. This event is included with museum admission and is free for Burke members.

View photos from last year's Meet the Mammals.

Watch a video about how Burke staff prepare for Meet the Mammals.