As any horror fan will tell you – from Dracula to this year’s Oscar-winner Sinners – the art of bloodsucking is all about stealth. But the real masters of the craft? You’ll find them at the Australian Museum’s fascinating new exhibition, Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires.
Opening on April 2, this showcase dives into the fascinating world of creatures that live on blood – think mosquitoes, ticks, leeches, fleas, bed bugs, vampire bats and even those strange-looking ancient fish called lampreys. In fact, around 30,000 species on Earth are hematophagous i.e. they rely on blood to survive. Wild, right?
Developed by the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada, this award-winning exhibition unpacks the science behind these often misunderstood creatures – and the myths they’ve inspired. Through immersive displays, you’ll discover how these animals have evolved to pierce, slice and slurp their way through the animal kingdom, plus the surprising role some play in modern medicine.
You can get hands-on with interactive installations, microscopes and even a mozzie swarm simulator (yikes!). And if you’re feeling squeamish, don’t stress – there are no live animals or real blood involved.
Equal parts creepy and captivating, it’s a must-see for curious minds aged eight and up. From April 2 to October 11, 2026 at the Australian Museum. Pre-booked tickets are priced lower than same-day bookings. Get all the details here.
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