'A zoological treasure at every turn'
★★★★ The Telegraph

‘A carnival of curious fish and fantastic beasts’
★★★★ The Guardian

‘Perfectly paced, science-based and historically laced’
★★★★★ Londonist 

We’ve travelled across deserts and rainforests, deep into the oceans, and up in the skies to understand them. Now, in a major new exhibition, you can see how documenting the animal world has resulted in some of humankind’s most awe-inspiring art, science and sound recordings.

It can take years of research to unlock the secrets of a single species. Did you know that the first photograph of a live giant squid was published in 2005? That bats were first described as birds, and sharks referred to as dogs?

Follow this centuries-long journey through sound recordings, manuscripts and artworks, and learn some fun facts along the way.

The winding path of animal discovery has led to some amusing misunderstandings.

• Read the first scientific description of a duck-billed platypus, once thought to be so bizarre it must be a hoax.
• Learn why Europeans once thought birds of paradise lived in a constant state of flight and survived on dew and sunlight alone.
• See the 16th-century drawing of a monkfish that looks like, well, a monk.

Yet it is the steadfast dedication of these naturalists, artists and sound recordists that allows us to hear the sound of extinct animals and marvel at the beauty of the most miniscule species. Experiences that remind us to treasure the natural world. 

• Listen to the mournful song of the last living Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, recorded in 1983 and declared extinct in 2000.
• Taken with a microscopic lens, wonder at the iridescent kaleidoscope of colours in Levon Biss’ photographs of beetles; a level of detail not otherwise visible to the naked eye. 

We all understand that recording animals is more vital than ever. Whether venturing far afield or simply stepping into your garden, get inspired to play your part in this enduring journey of discovery.

A large print guide of the exhibition text is available to download (PDF).

Visiting with children?

Navigate the exhibition with our Animals Family Trail, developed for families and groups to creatively explore. Pick up a copy from the Information Desk when you arrive.

Ticket prices and concessions

	Mon – Weds*	Thurs-Sun**
Full price	£16	£16
Member Ticket	£0.00	£0.00
Member Free Guest (limit to 1 ticket)	£0.00	£0.00
Senior 60+	£9.00	£16.00
Registered unemployed	£8.00	£14.00
Young person 18-25	£8.00	£14.00
Student	£8.00	£14.00
Disabled	£8.00	£8.00
Disabled Carer	£0.00	£0.00
Child (0-11)	£0.00	£0.00
Child (12-17)	£8.00	£8.00
National Art Pass	£8.00	£8.00

*Excludes bank holidays and school holidays.

** Also includes bank holidays and school holidays.

Please note you may be asked for proof of concession on arrival.

Pay what you can days

On the following dates we’re inviting you to pay what you can for entry into Animals: Art, Science and Sound, which means the amount you pay for your tickets is completely up to you:

• Sunday 30 April
• Tuesday 30 May
• Sunday 2 July
• Saturday 8 July
• Tuesday 25 July
• Sunday 30 July 
• Thursday 3 August
• Tuesday 8 August
• Sunday 13 August

There will be a limited number of tickets available at the Library on the day so we would strongly advise pre-booking to avoid disappointment. Simply add the tickets to your basket for your chosen date and select the amount you would like to pay (minimum £1) when you check out.

Supported by

     

 

The American Trust for the British Library and The B.H. Breslauer Fund of the American Trust for the British Library

 

Audio soundscapes created by Greg Green with support from the Unlocking our Sound Heritage project

Scientific advice provided by