Reptiles
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of approximately 1,600 reptile specimens. These date from the early 19th century to the present. This collection comprises species from all over the world. It covers all orders of reptiles, including turtles (Chelonia), tuatara (Sphenodonta), snakes and lizards (Squamata), and crocodiles and alligators (Crocodylia). The majority of specimens in the collection are preserved in spirit, but there are about 80 specimens of snakes, lizards, crocodiles and turtles that have been mounted and some lizards and slow-worms that have been freeze-dried. There are about 20 snakeskins, a few osteological specimens – such as skeletons and skulls – and about 20 turtle shells (carapaces and plastrons). The collection includes examples of some rare and endangered species and also several old specimens, many of which were originally in the Anderson’s College Collection and are potentially of great importance. A small number of specimens are in the form of casts, such as the Gila Monster and Leathery Turtle, while other items include examples of reptile eggs and objects confiscated by HM Customs and Excise, such as snakeskins and crocodile-skin belts and handbags.
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