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All the United States New Mexico Santa Fe The Harrell House Bug Museum
AO Edited

The Harrell House Bug Museum

Thousands of mounted insects, and some live ones, hide within an otherwise ordinary shopping mall.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Added By
Larissa Hayden
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Beautifully pinned insects   Larissa Hayden
Meet blue death-feigning beetles!   Larissa Hayden
Harmless termites   Larissa Hayden
A slew of spiders   Larissa Hayden
Come face-to-face with an axolotl   Larissa Hayden
Safely meet a scorpion   Larissa Hayden
The dynamic displays   Larissa Hayden
Scorpion   Julio Torres / Atlas Obscura User
  mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
Noodle the blue-tongued skink enjoys a nap   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
  icatsstaci / Atlas Obscura User
  mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Originally housed in a mall kiosk, Wade Harrell's collection grew and grew and now boasts thousands of bugs, 200 live animals, and 5,000 mounted insects from around the world. The exhibit offers opportunities to see poison spiders, huge beetles, an array of scorpions, axolotls, and even two-foot-long spiders.

Harrell has rescued some of the living creatures in his collection from their previous owners, and he encourages pet owners to be conscious and thoughtful of the animals that they adopt throughout the exhibit. Other animals in the museum, like Dumpy the tree frog, who hitchhiked from Florida to Santa Fe on a Home Depot plant, were accidentally discovered and found new homes with Harrell.

Adults and children alike will marvel at the natural world, either viewed safely behind glass or through the chance to hold a bug yourself. Flashlights, UV lights, and magnifying glasses are provided for those wanting to get a closer look. Be sure to check the collection's website for their schedule of feedings, as well.

Related Tags

Insects Museums Museums And Collections

Know Before You Go

The museum is located in the Santa Fe Fashion Outlets Mall. Entry is $8 for adults, and $4 for children.

Community Contributors

Added By

larissahayden

Edited By

mikewalker, michellerothrock, icatsstaci, Julio Torres

  • mikewalker
  • michellerothrock
  • icatsstaci
  • Julio Torres

Published

January 8, 2020

Updated

November 4, 2024

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Sources
  • www.bugandreptile.org
  • https://www.krqe.com/news/business/harrell-house-bug-museum-forced-to-close/
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60958-d4570589-Reviews-The_Harrell_House_Bug_Museum-Santa_Fe_New_Mexico.html
The Harrell House Bug Museum
8380 Cerrillos Rd
Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87507
United States
35.610586, -106.031598
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