Varanus pransinus (Emerald monitor); accessed from Florida Museum
Are you an artist interested in drawing animals? An animal enthusiast who wants to learn more about the anatomies of the thousands of species on our planet? If you’re even remotely interested in the topic of animal morphology, then there’s good news for you. This year, scientists from almost 20 different institutions released a project that includes the CT reconstructions of 13,000 vertebrate animals. The 3D models can be accessible online through oVert, a Florida Museum online exhibit.
Not only are these models accurate, they’re also interactive. You can drag, rotate, and zoom in on specific anatomical features, and even download them for future reference. Most renderings only include the skeletal structures due to CT’s limitations, but some also have soft tissue components that make the models cohesive. For scientists and artists, this is a breakthrough that makes lives easier. For those who simply have too much free time, this is a pretty comprehensive boredom cure that I highly suggest giving a visit.
References:
Network, G. N. (2024, March 16). Scientists Have 3D-Scanned Thousands of Creatures Creating Incredibly Intricate Images Anyone Can Access for Free. Good News Network. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/overt-offers-3d-reconstructions-of-thousands-of-vertebrate/
Scientists CT scanned thousands of natural history specimens, which you can access for free. (2024, March 6). Research News. https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/scientists-ct-scanned-thousands-of-natural-history-specimens-which-you-can-access-for-free/
