Natural Science Research Laboratory of the Museum at Texas Tech University

09/23/2026

NSRL staff and students from Dr. Cox’s "Range, Forest, and Wetland Vegetation and Plant Identification in North America" class spent the day giving back to our campus community! As part of Ag Week Service Day, students helped clean and maintain the native plants in the “Arroyo” area in front of the Museum at Texas Tech. Their hard work helps keep this native plant space healthy and welcoming for students, visitors, and wildlife.
Thank you to everyone who helped make a difference in our campus landscape!

09/22/2026

Happy First Day of Fall!
Fall has officially arrived! As the leaves begin to change and temperatures cool down, it’s a great time to get outside and observe the seasonal changes happening all around us. From migrating birds and changing plant communities to mammals preparing for the cooler months. Share your favorite fall wildlife or nature sightings in the comments! 🍂

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from the NSRL!
Today, we’re celebrating the hard work and dedication of the people who make a difference in our communities, our universities, and the world of wildlife conservation. From researchers and students to educators, field technicians, and museum staff, so much goes into understanding and protecting the incredible biodiversity around us.

09/01/2026

With the completion of our backyard biodiversity project, we would like to highlight some of the observations our members had! The top species observed was Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and we had observations all over the country! Thank you to all those that joined in the project.

09/01/2026

With the completion of our backyard biodiversity project, we would like to highlight some of the observations our members had! The top species observed was Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and we had observations all over the country! Thank you to all those that joined in the project. 

08/25/2026

As we head back to campus, don’t forget that you’re sharing Texas Tech with more than just your classmates! The TTU campus is home to a variety of wildlife and plants, from birds and insects to squirrels, reptiles, and native plants.
Take a moment between classes to look around and see what you can find!

📸 Have you spotted wildlife on campus? Drop your favorite campus wildlife photo in the comments below!

08/19/2026

Dr. Jorge Salazar, our Assistant Curator of Mammals, recently collaborated with researchers at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH) and the Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (IBIOAH) on research focused on tropical mammals and parasitology.
Fieldwork at Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park (PANACAM) provided valuable specimens and tissue samples that are now supporting ongoing research projects. These collaborations also provide students with hands-on field experience while contributing to our understanding and conservation of Honduras’ incredible biodiversity.

08/10/2026

08/05/2026

Texas is home to more exotic mammal species than anywhere else in the United States. But how did they get here? Are they helping or harming our ecosystems? And what does the future hold?
Following their feature in the popular article Strange and Amazing Animals You Might Encounter on a Texas Road Trip, https://www.statesman.com/story/news/history/2024/09/09/texas-exotic-wildlife-animals-list-see-during-road-trip/74503760007/ by Michael Barnes, we sat down with Dr. David J. Schmidly and Dr. Robert D. Bradley to discuss the presence of exotic mammals across Texas, the science behind their management, and the role they play in conservation and private land stewardship.

Dr. David J. Schmidly is an internationally recognized mammalogist, author, and educator. He served as president of Texas Tech University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of New Mexico while making lasting contributions to the study of mammals in Texas, the southwestern United States, and Mexico. Through his extensive field research and numerous books and publications, Dr. Schmidly has advanced the science of mammalogy and inspired future generations of naturalists.

Dr. Robert D. Bradley has dedicated his career to advancing our understanding of mammalian evolution, genetics, and biodiversity. As Director Emeritus and Curator Emeritus of Mammals at the Natural Science Research Laboratory and Professor Emeritus at Texas Tech University, his research has shaped the fields of systematics, phylogenetics, and mammalian genomics.

They hope readers come away from Strange and Amazing Animals You Might Encounter on a Texas Road Trip by Michael Barnes with a sense of curiosity about the “majestic exotic animals found across Texas” and that these encounters inspire people to become better stewards of the land. Because exotic species are here to stay, we should take the opportunity to appreciate and learn about them.

07/27/2026

A little recap of our bug hotel workshop we had on Saturday. It was a blast! Thank you for everyone that came out! 🐞🐌🐛🐜