New Temporary Exhibit at Museum of the Earth Dives into the Secret World of Shells
New Temporary Exhibit at Museum of the Earth Dives into the Secret World of Shells
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2025
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PRI Marketing Dept.
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Phone: 607-273-6623 ext. 111
(ITHACA, NY– June 2, 2025)
Ever heard of a vampire squid or a banana slug? Ever wondered where pearls come from, or why your garden is full of slugs? Have you savored oysters, slurped clam chowder, or collected seashells on the beach and asked yourself what stories those shells could tell?
Discover the answers—and uncover even more fascinating secrets—at the Museum of the Earth’s newest temporary exhibit: “Marvelous Mollusks: The Secret World of Shells,” opening Friday, June 6, 2025.
Mollusks are one of the most diverse and widespread groups of animals on the planet. From deep-sea octopuses to backyard snails, from tiny freshwater clams to the largest invertebrates ever to roam the Earth, mollusks have evolved into a dazzling array of forms and functions. They live in oceans, rivers, lakes, forests, and even mountaintops. And they’ve been around a long time, the fossil record of mollusks stretches back hundreds of millions of years, including right here in New York State.
Humans have long been connected to mollusks. We eat them, wear them, use them in medicines, and admire their beauty in art and culture. But many mollusk species today face serious threats—from habitat loss to climate change.
This exhibit features:
Life-sized models of giant squid and other cephalopods
Hands-on stations where visitors can examine real shells, both fossil and modern
Live land snails from central New York—including the Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail, one of the most endangered mollusks in the world
Rare specimens from the Paleontological Research Institution’s world-renowned collection of over one million fossil and modern mollusks
“Marvelous Mollusks” offers an eye-opening look at these extraordinary creatures and the vital roles they play in ecosystems and human life.
The exhibit is made possible with support from the National Science Foundation and the Tompkins County Tourism Program.
About the Paleontological Research Institution
The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) pursues and integrates education and research, and interprets the history and systems of the Earth and its life, to increase knowledge, educate society, and encourage wise stewardship of the Earth. PRI and its two public venues for education, the Museum of the Earth and the Cayuga Nature Center, are separate from, but formally affiliated with Cornell University, and interact closely with numerous University departments in research, teaching, and public outreach.
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