When can I visit the special exhibition?

The exhibition starts on 16.04.2026 at 10:00 AM and runs until 06.09.2026.

How much is the admission fee?

The regular admission for adults is 5 euros. Discounts are available.

Is the exhibition suitable for families?

Yes, the exhibition is particularly suitable for families, school classes, and curious nature enthusiasts.

Is there barrier-free access?

Yes, the Natural History Museum offers barrier-free access as well as restrooms and changing tables.

What are the opening hours of the museum?

Tuesday to Saturday, the museum is usually open from 10 AM to 5 PM, Wednesday until 8 PM, Sunday until 6 PM.

Can I book guided tours?

Yes, guided tours and educational offerings can be booked via the museum's info and registration phone.

Nasty Creatures!? transforms the Ottoneum into a place full of wonder and insight

Name: Nasty Creatures!? in the Natural History Museum at the Ottoneum
Start: 2026-04-16T12:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-06T19:00:00+02:00
Location: Naturkundemuseum im Ottoneum

Nasty Creatures!? in the Ottoneum: An exhibition between goosebumps and insight

In the Natural History Museum at the Ottoneum in Kassel, the special exhibition Nasty Creatures!? opens the view on animals that are often only considered annoying, dangerous, or repulsive. However, behind mosquito, raccoon, anaconda, and great white shark lies much more than a bad reputation: The exhibition combines natural science precision with cultural education and makes visible how closely species diversity, habitats, and human perception are intertwined.

When Prejudices Meet Science

The exhibition not only asks why certain species trigger uncertainty or disgust but also what role these animals play in ecological contexts. Particularly in the contemplation of the exhibits, a lively exhibition atmosphere emerges: Models, interactive stations, and vivid mediation turn scientific facts into an immediate artistic experience of insight. The museum thus relies on a form of museum education that intertwines knowledge, curiosity, and aesthetic experience.

From the Tiger Mosquito to the Shark: A Journey through the Animal Conflict

The exhibition examines different animal groups and shows how quickly individual experiences lead to entire species becoming scapegoats. Mosquitoes, raccoons, snakes, and sharks are presented not merely as frightening figures but as part of complex material cycles and ecological systems. This is where the strength of the curation lies: The presentation tells not only of fear but also of relationships that are indispensable for understanding our environment.

A Museum as a Place of Dialogue

The Natural History Museum in the historical Ottoneum is one of the defining cultural places of Kassel. Its permanent exhibition, the tumultuous natural history of the region, and the special exhibitions create a framework in which scientific education and public debate come together. The exhibition Nasty Creatures!? fits ideally into this context because it does not instruct but invites careful observation. Families, school classes, and all the curious will experience a comprehensible yet demanding offering of mediation here.

Conclusion: Seeing Unpleasant Animals Differently

Nasty Creatures!? promises a clever, sensory, and entertaining museum visit. Those who engage with this exhibition will discover animal species beyond their clichés and gain a new perspective on biodiversity and coexistence on Earth. A visit to the Natural History Museum at the Ottoneum is worthwhile for anyone who wants not just to look at nature but really understand it.