When does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition starts on July 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM and runs until September 6, 2026, according to the museum.

What is the admission fee?

The regular admission for adults is 5 Euro. Discounts and free admissions are specified on the museum's website.

Are there tours for the exhibition?

Yes, on July 12, 2026, family tours will be offered. Participation costs the museum admission and requires pre-registration.

Is the museum accessible?

Yes, the Natural History Museum in Ottoneum has barrier-free access, including restrooms and changing tables.

Where is the museum located?

The Natural History Museum in Ottoneum is located at Steinweg 2 in 34117 Kassel.

What topics does the exhibition address?

The focus is on animals with a bad reputation, their ecological function, and the coexistence of humans and animals.

Pests!? presents animals in a new, clever, and surprising way at the Kassel Ottoneum

Name: Pests!? at the Natural History Museum in Ottoneum
Start: 2026-07-12T12:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-06T20:00:00+02:00
Location: Naturkundemuseum im Ottoneum

Pests!? at the Natural History Museum in Ottoneum: When Fear Meets Biodiversity

With the special exhibition Pests!?, the Natural History Museum in the historic Ottoneum in Kassel opens an entertaining yet educational look at animals that annoy, scare, or get humans into conflicts. The exhibition is designed as a special exhibit on the ground floor of the museum and runs until September 6, 2026; the museum itself showcases changing special exhibitions every six months. ([kassel.de](https://www.kassel.de/einrichtungen/naturkundemuseum/ausstellungen/sonderausstellung.php?sp%3Aout=easy))

Between Goosebumps and Insight

The exhibition presents mosquitoes, raccoons, snakes, and sharks not merely as scary figures but as part of complex ecological relationships. This perspective shift makes the art experience in a natural history museum so exciting: from defense comes observation, from prejudice comes knowledge. Those who embrace the presentation experience an exhibition that connects natural history, environmental education, and illustrative museum pedagogy. ([kassel.de](https://www.kassel.de/einrichtungen/naturkundemuseum/ausstellungen/sonderausstellung.php?sp%3Aout=easy))

A Museum with a Strong Collection Tradition

The Natural History Museum in Ottoneum belongs to the long-established institutions in the city of Kassel. It has around 785,000 collection items, publishes the scientific journal Philippia, and is anchored in natural history research. This authority is felt in the curation: the exhibition stands not for mere effect but for well-founded communication with a clear thematic line. ([kassel.de](https://www.kassel.de/einrichtungen/naturkundemuseum/museum/index.php))

Space, Light, and Communication

In Ottoneum, historical architecture meets a modern exhibition atmosphere. The special exhibition is staged on the ground floor, featuring models, illustrations, and interactive stations that, according to the museum, ensure a versatile experience. Additionally, there are tours and an educational program that particularly addresses families and children's groups. On July 12, 2026, family tours of the exhibition will take place; they cost the museum admission and require pre-registration. ([kassel.de](https://www.kassel.de/einrichtungen/naturkundemuseum/index.php?sp%3Aout=easy&utm_source=openai))

What the Exhibition Tells

Pests!? questions the causes of fear, the reputation of certain species, and the relationship between humans and animals at a time when biodiversity and habitats are under pressure. The exhibition makes clear that even disliked animal species fulfill ecological functions and are thus part of the living foundation on Earth. Thus, the museum visit becomes an aesthetic experience with attitude: informative, illustrative, and surprisingly reconciling. ([kassel.de](https://www.kassel.de/einrichtungen/naturkundemuseum/ausstellungen/sonderausstellung.php?sp%3Aout=easy))

Conclusion: Pests!? is more than an original animal exhibition. Here, natural history, educational mission, and sensory communication come together. Those who understand art and culture as a form of careful observation should experience this special exhibition live and recalibrate their view of nature's unloved sides. ([kassel.de](https://www.kassel.de/einrichtungen/naturkundemuseum/ausstellungen/sonderausstellung.php?sp%3Aout=easy))