The permanent exhibition is divided into three categories of habitat: human settlements, forests, and water and wetlands. The focus is on specimens of mammals and birds native to Germany, showcased in true-to-life settings.
Widespread human settlement, intensive agriculture and forestry and the draining of wetlands have led to the destruction of many species’ original habitats. Some animals have adapted to the new living conditions. For example, forest dwellers (such as blackbirds and pigeons) and cliff and cave dwellers (such as many bat species) have become synanthropes, moving into areas developed by humans to find better living conditions. Many other species have not been able to adapt, however, or are now endangered synanthropes.
Settlements
Here in the museum visitors can take a close-up look at dioramas of storks feeding their young in nests, house mice, black and common rats, barn owls in a church tower, hedgehogs, moles and many other species.
Forests
Different diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, great spotted woodpeckers, pine martins and wild boars are only a few of the forest inhabitants that visitors can learn about in the museum.
Water and wetlands
Here visitors can enjoy dioramas featuring beavers, muskrats, river otters, waterfowl, native fish species and much more.
