The Museum of Zoology and Anthropology of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is a scientific museum devoted to animal diversity, the structure of organisms and the evolution of species. It is located on the Solbosch university campus in Ixelles, within the Brussels-Capital Region. Its collections have grown since the nineteenth century and support the study of zoology, biology and the history of scientific research.
Unlike the larger Institute of Natural Sciences on Rue Vautier, the ULB museum focuses primarily on comparing animals and explaining their evolutionary relationships. It holds thousands of specimens representing different zoological groups. Around one thousand are displayed permanently, allowing visitors to examine animal anatomy and adaptations.
Collections and animal diversity
The central aim of the exhibition is to present the diversity of animals and explain how different groups are related through evolution. The displays are arranged to help visitors follow these relationships and compare anatomical features. This approach reveals not just a collection of separate species, but a broader picture of how animal life developed.
The collections represent a range of animal groups, with displays highlighting their anatomical characteristics and adaptations to their environments. Digital materials help visitors examine details of some tiny or transparent organisms that are difficult to see with the naked eye. Relationship diagrams place each organism within the wider system of life.
Comparative anatomy and mammals
A comparative anatomy gallery features skeletons of mammals, birds and reptiles. Comparing bones and body proportions helps explain how animal structure relates to movement and lifestyle. Nearby displays of preserved mammals illustrate the diversity of animal shapes, sizes and physical features.
One notable specimen is a coelacanth caught in 1981. This ancient group of fish is known for retaining many distinctive characteristics over a very long evolutionary period. Coelacanths are often discussed in connection with vertebrate history and research into the origins of land animals, although they should not be described as the direct ancestors of modern terrestrial vertebrates.
Anthropology and human history
Alongside its zoological collections, the museum has an anthropology room devoted to human evolution. This section broadens the exhibition’s scope and considers humans within the context of biological development and the diversity of living organisms. Visitors can explore scientific approaches to human origins and humanity’s place in nature.
Planning a visit
The ULB Museum of Zoology and Anthropology will appeal to students, teachers, researchers, nature enthusiasts and anyone interested in understanding the animal kingdom. It is particularly suitable for visitors who enjoy scientific collections, comparative anatomy and evolutionary biology.
The museum is on the Solbosch campus of the Université libre de Bruxelles, at Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50, Building U, in Ixelles. Published visitor information states that self-guided visits are free and that regular access is available from Monday to Wednesday in the afternoon. Check the official museum website before travelling for the latest schedule and visitor conditions.
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