Collecting the World: Inside the Smithsonian

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has over 144 million different objects in its collections. A sample of these collections are on display to the public, but 99 percent of the Smithsonian’s treasures remain behind the scenes. Scientists work with these objects to study and decipher the world we live in, each specimen offering its own tiny clue to the natural world.

This story is a part of our Planet Earth series. From mammals to insects and birds to reptiles, we share this great big world with all manner of creatures, large and small. Come with us to faraway places as we explore our great big planet and meet some of its wildest inhabitants.

Great Big Story is a video network dedicated to the untold, overlooked & flat-out amazing. Humans are capable of incredible things & we're here to tell their stories. When a rocket lands in your backyard, you get in.

[TianWu]

Camera work in this video was awesome. Keep it up guys

[sarahlilley]

This made me smile. I currently work at this museum, for many years in the botany department. The collection is so massive, people have no idea what we have. And yes, it is so awesome to work there.

[Ambigant]

Imagine the time it takes to edit a video like this... jeez man.

[ellemitchell]

Nice job. A woman who works with birds with the last name "Dove"

[taviaaaa]

Never knew I wanted to know these things lol. Great video

[KPopsicleSNSD]

Imagine there's a hidden department headed by the Curator of Humans.

[iwanttogohome]

So fascinating! These people have really awesome jobs!

[kirkg]

Proud son of a marine biologist working at Smithsonian Institute in Panama :D

[elainewarren]

Amazing place...love to see it in person!

[fraggzbN]

"Jeff, u got another rock?"

"THEY´RE MINERALS, MARIE, GODDAMMIT!"

[pappanalab]

I almost cried, those collections are beautiful! I would do anything for an opportunity to look at their fossil collection.

[シリーン]

This deserves way more views and likes...like seriously this is just so fascinating you're giving us a look into the different departments and their curators (which we might not get the opportunity to do ourselves) and for free. Ya'll are the real heroes. Keep doing it because there people who fascinated by your videos like me. One day this channel will be huge!

[thefilmmaker]

I just viewed your channel in an online commercial, and I absolutely loved it. These are one of the channels who can make a difference in the world.😉

[allemik]

This Chanel content is amazingly good I don't understand how it doesn't have over 1 million subscribers

[j.t.]

It was oddly satisfying seeing everything all organized and categorized.

[Jay-lpvo]

wow it was like playing a video game and choosing which class i want to be

[musaadmohammed]

the mineralguy does he have kryptonite

[krstea_]

so i just realized i like knowing all sorts of stuff, but only if you guys tell them to me.

[WhistlesToAnimals]

Two things I love about America is its wildlife and the science community. Much respect for folks like these!

[fatoumata]

You guys easily became one of my favorite YouTube channels