Skin — it's deeper than you might think. Discover the shape-shifting, color-changing and ever-evolving nature of this complex organ in Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity. A media-rich, hands-on exhibition offered in both English and Spanish, Skin inspires wonder and curiosity about this uniquely complex organ and illustrates its many incredibly adaptive and evolving properties.

Explore the fascinating roles that feathers, furs, scutes, scales, hides and hairs play for different organisms across the globe through dozens of scientific specimens. Learn how evolution has shaped our own skin sensitivity and diversity — and how much scientists have yet to uncover about its underlying genetics. 

This exhibit will also help spark dialogue and reflection about skin’s role in shaping human culture and identity. Investigate the layers of meaning associated with skin color throughout history and discover skin’s influence on shifting ideas of race and culture in our modern world.

All exhibits are included with the purchase of a general admission ticket.

Awesome Armor: Reptile Encounters

Thursdays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m.
Free with admission

Dinosaurs may be the most famous reptiles to ever walk the planet, but we’ve got some pretty cool LIVE snakes, turtles and lizards right here at the Academy! Meet one of the Academy’s slithery, scaly or scute-y live animal ambassadors.

Exhibit Highlights

Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity was created by the California Academy of Sciences and modified for travel and distributed by the Science Museum of Minnesota. The exhibit is generously supported by Susan and Nicholas Pritzker and Family.