Under his leadership and through the efforts of his graduate students, the taxonomy, ecology, and distribution of many Alabama mammals have been determined. Each skin and skull is labeled,and the collection is systematically stored in protective steel cabinets. Computerization of data makes it possible for researchers to determine the exact location of each specimen in the collection, its collection date, the place where it was collected, measurements, and other important ecological information. By studying this important storehouse of information, scientists are able to make an inventory of distribution and habitat trends of mammals. Research in this collection makes it possible to develop management strategies essential to protect our native Alabama mammals.
Specimens are available by loan to qualified scientists.
Dr. Dan C. Holliman, Ada Rittenhouse Snavely Professor of Biology at Birmingham-Southern College, is Curator of Mammalogy.