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Summerasaurus Part V: The Badlands

Walking through the badlands is like walking through a western novel: canyons cut through the prairie, exposing layers of brown, gold, black and white sediment. Clichés keep popping up: tumbleweeds roll by, cactus pop out from unexpected places, and cattle skulls bleach in the sun. Scorpions hide

Summerasaurus Part IV: How to Find Dinosaurs

Mark Farmer recently returned from an expedition to the badlands of southern Alberta with Dr. David Evans, Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the ROM, in search of dinosaurs. Join us as Mark and Dr. Evans put up their notes from the field, detailing discoveries, how dinosaurs are found

Entomystery – why did the beetles go to camp?

Occasionally, I put on my entomological detective hat to investigate insect mysteries. This one was a beetle mystery at my son’s camp in a Toronto elementary school. My son reported a large number (hundreds!) of tiny beetles swarming the windows in his classroom and asked me to look at them. 

Summerasaurus Part III: The Jacketing Process

Mark Farmer recently returned from an expedition to the badlands of southern Alberta with Dr. David Evans, Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the ROM, in search of dinosaurs. Join us over the course of the next month as Mark and Dr. Evans put up their notes from the field, detailing

I found what looks like a tiny “caterpillar” in my home. What is it?

Let’s take a look at a common critter that share our space. Amazingly, over 500 species of arthropods have been recorded in houses! One of our most common household guests is the carpet beetle. The larvae look like tiny, furry, ‘caterpillars’.  Larva of a carpet beetle, family Dermestidae,

I think I have bedbugs, what should I do?

(Cimex lectularius) since the early 2000s, has resulted in heightened concern from people who find insects in their home. “Is it a bed bug?” is a common question posed to ROM entomologists. It may be helpful to know that there are many types of insects found in homes and most of them are not

ROM Infrastructure Announcement

A government of Canada and Ontario press conference was held this morning at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) to announce major infrastructure improvements, which include $1.4M in funding for the repair to the ROM’s roof. These renovations will enhance the visitor experience at the ROM, and

Virtual Collaboration: The whole story of ancient Roman amethyst gem

On August 30, 2012 I posted a blog on the rediscovery of a very striking and important ancient Roman amethyst gem engraved with the image of Victory writing on a shield, dating to about 50 BC to AD 25. I also mentioned that the gem was in the collection of Sir Francis Cook by 1903. The posting paid

Komodo Dragon Preparation, Step Two: To the Bug Cave! I mean, Bug ROOM

Komodo Dragon Preparation, Step Two: To the Bug Cave! I mean, Bug ROOM

Viewer discretion advised. Images depict a Komodo Dragon being dissected as it is prepared for the ROM's collections. Our Komodo Dragon, the newest addition to the Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is ready for the next stage in the process of becoming a museum specimen- the Bug

How to display the past......

Ever wondered what goes in to the display you see in a museum gallery? I’m exploring some behind-the-scenes issues that shape what you see. This is the first of a series of posts that tie into a new course I’m teaching for University of Toronto graduate students called Greece and Rome at the