Museum of Osteology I

Several months ago I visited America's only skeleton museum, the Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City. A friend and Oklahoma City Zoo elephant handler was kind enough to take me to the location during my visit to the zoo. After touring the location's two-level showroom, we met the owner and were given a special behind-the-scenes tour of the facility.

Felidae Family, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

The Museum of Osteology, managed by Skulls Unlimited International, is fantastically informational and informative. Specimens of hundreds of species are displayed with others in their Family and Genus, giving the visitor a great understanding of how animals are related, similar and different from each other.

Primate Order, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

There are many elephant skulls and several skeletons on display. I was very interested in the history of these animals and Jay was happy to share their backgrounds. The largest skull belonged to a 13 foot tall African bull killed in Botswana by a sports hunter. The skull is on display but skeleton kept in storage in the back for reference. Its former owner donated the specimen to the Museum for educational purposes. The skeleton was too large to display mounted in the showroom because of the whales hanging above.

Botswana bull elephant skull, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

Botswana bull elephant skeleton, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

Botswana bull elephant skeleton, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

Killer Whale, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

Several other skulls were donated from private collections, acquired originally by unknown means (presumably hunting).

Female African elephant skull, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

Female Asian elephant skull, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

Two elephant specimens were acquired from a zoo origin. To be continued.

For more information or to plan a visit:
>> "Skulls Unlimited International"

>> "Museum of Osteology"