The original nucleus of the collection consists of the gathering of the collection of the 16th century of naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi and finds of Cospi and Marsili, gathered during the 18th century in the Institute of Sciences.
In recent years the ethnological and malacological collections have been implemented and reorganized for scholars. Also exhibited are ornithological collections, african trophies, dioramas, systematic collections of the most important animal groups, and the Altobello collection including amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

A big sunfish (Mola mola) found on the Romagna coast in the first half of the 40s, welcomes the visitors in the great hall of the museum.

The museum of Zoology is part of Sistema Museale d'Ateneo Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna - SMA