Prehistory of Florida Gallery

The Museum of Arts & Sciences dedicates an entire gallery to the prehistoric natural history of Florida, showcasing everything from preserved insects and butterflies to shells, ancient teeth, and the dramatic remains of a giant ground sloth, mastodon, and glyptodont—many of which were unearthed right here in the Daytona Beach area. Visitors can explore an extensive collection of preserved bugs, including beetles, cockroaches, grasshoppers, and crickets, accompanied by a helpful guide identifying all 67 species. The butterfly displays add a vibrant contrast, featuring specimens in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes.

 

The Prehistory of Florida Gallery contains a striking case of beautifully preserved mollusks illustrates the remarkable diversity of these ancient invertebrates. With more than 85,000 known species living in both freshwater and saltwater environments—and origins dating back 550 million years—mollusks remain one of the most varied groups of organisms on the planet.

 

The gallery’s star attractions are its large prehistoric mammals. The giant ground sloth, discovered just three miles south of the Museum and excavated over two and a half years, is the most complete specimen of its kind ever found. Nearby stands the mastodon, uncovered at a Daytona Beach construction site only a few years ago. Completing this remarkable trio is the glyptodont, a heavily armored, car-sized relative of the armadillo that lived nearly two million years ago. Discovered at Reed Canal Park in 1975, its thick osteoderm shell and stout legs offer a powerful glimpse into Florida’s Ice Age past.