On February 1st, the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina will mark its 136th anniversary.
Among the planned activities, a notable event is the unveiling of the new permanent exhibition titled “Amphibians and Reptiles of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” which will be presented to the public on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 6:00 PM. This marks the first time in the 136-year history of the Museum that all discovered species of herpetofauna in their natural habitats are showcased in one place.
Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a center of diversity for European herpetofauna, comprising at least 53 native species: 9 reptiles, 13 frogs, 14 snakes, 4 turtles, and 13 lizards. Almost half of these species (40%) exhibit a certain level of endemism, with Dinaric or southern Balkan Peninsula endemics being the most common. Bosnia and Herzegovina stands out as a region of special importance for venomous snakes (Important Viper Areas – IVA), lizard petrophilic communities, and as a habitat for evolutionarily unique species such as the human fish.
The exhibition “Amphibians and Reptiles of Bosnia and Herzegovina” showcases all species discovered within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina until 2024. The species are presented in a completely realistic manner, including variations and sexual dimorphism within the same species. The majority (75%) of the exhibited species were created through 3D scanning, modeling, and printing, while the rest are represented by preserved animals.
The exhibition’s author is Mr. Sc. Adnan Zimić.
The realization of the exhibition was supported by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Sarajevo Canton, the Municipality of Centar Sarajevo, and UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina. Special thanks are owed to the partners at FabLab B&H, who played a crucial role in designing and producing the models used in the exhibition.
