Skin Exhibit Uncovers Secrets of Survival and Identity

On September 30, 2025, a new exhibit titled "Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity" opened at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. The exhibit is a deep dive into the human body's largest organ, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the incredible adaptations and functions of skin across the animal kingdom.

The exhibit features dozens of rare specimens, from feathered birds to armored reptiles, showcasing how skin helps all species survive and thrive in their environments. Caillean Kapoor, the museum's visitor experience manager, explains that as animals, including humans, have adapted to live in diverse habitats, their skin has evolved to help them cope with changing conditions. However, this also makes them vulnerable to the effects of climate change and habitat loss.

One striking example is the black rhinoceros, whose thick hide and keratin horn have helped it adapt for survival, yet the species remains endangered due to poaching. The exhibit also explores the microscopic world of face mites living on human skin, allowing visitors to see these creatures up close under a microscope.

Importantly, the exhibit addresses the complex role of skin color in shaping human history and identity. Kapoor notes that the exhibit's final section "ties really nicely into the 'Race: Are We So Different?' exhibit" next door, exploring how skin color has been used to separate and divide people, despite lacking any scientific basis.