Media – Research & Collections

Summer Cicada Surge Could Make for a Tasty Treat

February 2, 2024

In Alabama, the sound of cicadas often signals the beginning of summer. This year, their signature seasonal signal is expected to be a little louder. Every year, the annual cicadas emerge in broods in different locations all around the United States. They have a greenish to dark gray colored body and black eyes. However, this year in Alabama, two broods of periodical cicadas are set to emerge at the same time. These insects have red eyes. Brood XIII and Brood XIX are expected to […]

Fish’s big mistake preserved an unusual fossil for us

September 20, 2023

The fish in question, with the ammonite located just below its spine.

Some extinct species left copious fossil remnants of their existence. Ammonites—an extinct type of cephalopod—are one such example.

The Legacy of Labels

August 29, 2023

University of Alabama undergraduate student Maddy Dissinger is majoring in Biology and she is also enrolled in the Blount Scholars Program.

Fossil trackways, invertebrates and plants to be displayed in UA’s Smith Hall on Saturday

April 7, 2023

This weekend is a chance to see fossil trackways, fossil invertebrates and fossil plants found in mines and other places from Alabama’s Coal Age up close and personal.

Hodges Meteorite Anniversary

November 30, 2022

Today marks the 68th Anniversary of the Hodges Meteorite.

Bug Out (Southern Science)

June 14, 2022

When trying to study changes in insect populations, researchers are hindered by one big problem: We don’t know as much about bugs as we need to. “We know almost nothing,” said Kendra Abbott, entomologist and museums research and outreach coordinator at the University of Alabama.

Fossil of prehistoric lobster likened to beef jerky after discovery in Alabama creek

April 6, 2022

The remains of a 70-million-year-old carnivorous lobster have been found in Alabama, and the fossil is so well preserved it resembles well-cooked bacon.

Woolly mammoths, sabertooth cats and more roamed Alabama in the last Ice Age

December 15, 2021

This story is part 11 of the AL.com series “Ancient Alabama,” examining the natural forces that made Alabama what it is over the past 500 million years, and how those forces still shape the state today.

Alabama Black Belt among world’s top sites to find ancient sea monsters

December 9, 2021

This story is part 10 of the AL.com series “Ancient Alabama,” examining the natural forces that made Alabama what it is over the past 500 million years, and how those forces still shape the state today.

Alabama’s ancient coal swamps were a hot, sticky mess of giant trees and massive insects

December 3, 2021

This story is part eight of the AL.com series “Ancient Alabama,” examining the natural forces that made Alabama what it is over the past 500 million years, and how those forces still shape the state today.

Research & Collections

University of Alabama Museums

Category: Media