Museum of Osteology

The Museum of Osteology, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S., is a private museum devoted to the study of bones and skeletons (osteology). This museum displays over 450 skeletons of animal species from all over the world. With another 7,000 specimens as part of the collection, but not on display, this is the largest privately held collection of osteological specimens in the world. The museum is an entity of its parent company, Skulls Unlimited International. The museum focuses on the form and function of the skeletal system with numerous educational and taxonomic displays featuring all five vertebrate classes. The collections housed by the Museum of Osteology are the result of over 40 years of collecting by Jay Villemarette. Currently, the collections consist of approximately 7,000 specimens representing over 1,800 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. The museum hosts a multitude of fun educational opportunities and events for all ages. According to the website, one of the main goals of these programs is to make people excited about the natural world and inspire conservation efforts. There are also many opportunities for museum guests to touch real bone and take pictures with fully articulated skeletons. Since its opening, over 500,000 guests from all over the world have come to the museum to see the displays, fill out scavenger hunts, explore the collection for research papers, and pick up commemorative items from the gift shop. The museum does not support or condone poaching or any other illegal hunting practice. All the specimens are ethically sourced. The Museum of Osteology partners with zoos, aquariums, wildlife centers, nature preserves, sportsmen, and private donators to make sure the animals are treated with respect and are properly taken care of after death. The museum also receives donations from human donor programs. Jay Villemarette, founder of the company Skulls Unlimited International, Inc., established the museum alongside his family.