Really great selection of odd items and friendly staff. Will definitely be back when we are in town again.

Natural Selection is such a cool place with plants and taxidermy galore. Every time I visit, there's something new to see because they get frequent shipments, so it never feels the same twice. The owner posts frequently on Instagram so you can see what comes in. The owner is incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic. They let me fully nerd out over some skulls, which honestly made my day. You can tell there's real care and expertise behind everything in the shop. There was also a living dog and bearded dragon there that they let me pet. The plants are always healthy and beautiful, which isn't always easy to find in specialty spaces like this. The oddities themselves are high quality and thoughtfully curated. It can seem a little expensive at first, but the quality absolutely makes it worth it. I bought a heteropteryx bug today and it's stunning. Every visit makes me want more. My long-term goal is to fill my biology classroom with pieces like this, and this shop is pure inspiration. If you love natural history, oddities, or beautifully curated weird things, this place is a must. I love it here. read more

Natural Selection - Heteroptryx Taxidermy - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

What a beautiful store and lovely and friendly owner! Beautiful selection of natural oddities and plants. We bought a beautiful turtle shell and some puffer fish. The owner was very knowledgeable and helpful too! read more

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Great selection of plants! The employees are super helpful and even guided me on which succulents are safe for kitties. read more

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A pretty cool store, Natural Selection. They had some cool skulls of deceased animals, examples of taxidermy, small plants for sale. It was great to look at. read more

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I had heard about Natural Selection thanks to Atlas Obscura https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/natural-selection which accurately describes the business: "small space is filled to the brim with taxidermy, animal bones, succulents, and carnivorous plants." The collection of various bones, antlers, horns and such is unlike anything I've seen before. The walls are chock full with mounted deer, wolves, horses, goats and the like, looking down on shoppers. And the shelves are covered with a huge variety of potted plants of many different types. It's a unique shop and well worth a visit as a curiosity or perhaps you need a different gift for a special friend. [Review 17713 overall - 57 in Nevada - 1234 of 2022.] read more

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Step right up folks, and take a look at some of the finest plant species, animal specimens like never seen before, and a scene built from passion that's guaranteed to invoke feelings of excitement. Natural Selection is a vibe... an experience... a product of two wonderful women's love for all things natural.  If you're a nature enthusiast, maybe your next favorite store and/or addiction.    It's a place where curiosities arise and are met with open arms, information, and experience, and where the imagination awakens and takes you to another world.  This shop is carefully and thoughtfully decorated with handpicked vintage pieces of furniture,  serving as vessels for a variety of unique plants and animal specimens, contributing to the overall mood of the room. I remember my first visit to this amazing shop last year, feeling as if I were taken back to a 1930s Jungle Cruise/Bate's Motel.   I knew I had found one of my favorite stores ever to exist. Taxidermy is often associated with darkness and horror movies, but is seen by taxidermy/animal/nature enthusiasts as an art. From giving life new meaning to serving as educational tools, taxidermy has grown in popularity and is alive and well here at Natural Selection in Reno.  With handpicked plants from private nurseries that you can't find anywhere else, ethically sourced taxidermy pieces, and other complimenting items like beautiful pots, rad books, and more,  you'll find that Natural Selection makes for a fun, unique, and educational trip, and the perfect place to shop for house decor & unique gifts.  "You can't buy happiness, BUT YOU CAN BUY PLANTS... And that's pretty much the same thing." Note for 9/20/2022 They just got back from a trip to their nursery and are fully stocked with lots of plants.  Follow their Instagram as they post often with updates. read more

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Super fun, interesting shop with beautiful healthy plants and knowledgeable staff. Pricing is very fair and everything seems to be ethically sourced. I've even gotten free cuttings! Their displays are gorgeous and the store is well-organized. If I could spend a whole day in there I would! read more

Natural Selection is a rad store! They have a lot of plants and also a nice selection of oddities and taxidermy friends. My sis is super into that kind of thing and loved this store. We even found her a new fluffy lucky rabbit foot while we were here. The employees were super nice, even though it was extremely busy when we were in. I found some super cute cards and entered the raffle. Go check it out! read more

Natural Selection - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

Great selection of indoor plants. Friendly knowledgeable staff that is willing to answer any questions.

Such a wonderful array of bones, taxidermy, and succulents, all served up by a lovely and cheeky proprietor. She is knowledgable about succulent care and has succulents that you won't find elsewhere. I always find something when I'm there and love to browse around this lovely little shop. read more

One of my favorite plant stores in the Reno! Not only do they carry more rare plants and succulents but they also have the most helpful and kind staff including the owner. They can answer any question and I've just had nothing but great experiences. I also love when they have dogs in, they're so cute! read more

This place is amazing! It's a super cute shop and the staff is extremely helpful. They were very patient with me and took the time to answer my millions of questions on caring for the specific plants I bought. They were very knowledgeable and it made me feel way more comfortable about taking fancy plants home. It's also just a very interesting place to stop by! All the taxidermy animals were well made (I think??) and it was fun to see what crazyness you could find (like a snake with a cowboy hat!) The best part was that at the very back they have two axolotls (an albino and a black one) and they are VERY cute! Can't wait to go back! read more

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This store is so amazing!!! The decor, the people, the atmosphere. Everything was such good quality and there were items in all price ranges. Super awesome gifts. I got an insane raccoon cap too! Definitely a place to visit more than once. read more

Natural Selection - Giraffe - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

Natural selection is what I think heaven would look like. This store is absolutely beautiful for people who love plants, taxidermy and the likes. Everytime I go in and say "just gonna look" I leave with a purchase. It just is impossible not too. The items are all so unique and cool. Personally I collect skulls (and let's be honest, plants too) and love looking at all their inventory. It's constantly changing and expanding and never gets boring. The two women who run it are mom and daughter and they really pull the local business heartstring. There are times I can find a better deal on a skull online but still choose to come into natural selection because the service is great and knowledgeable and I want to support their business. My most recent visit I got a SUPER COOL snapping turtle skull. It is my first reptile and I was very excited. I especially thought it was cute due to a deformity in the jaw of the turtle but kept it to myself. Then as I was checking out, the cashier also pointed it out which was so cool that she is that into the product. You can tell they aren't just selling to make money, but because they have passion for the business, which is something that will always bring me back. I also got a super cool plant, nicknamed mothers tongue who I have named Liam and love very much. My only suggestion would be to add classes. Things like taxidermy or plant potting. Would get locals together and be a fun experience. read more

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Today was my first visit to Natural Selection and it definitely won't be my last. The space is cozy and filled with plants and other natural objects such as skeletons, taxidermy, books, cards and small items which make great gifts. They also have everything you could ever want to make your own terrarium. I was helped by Crystal who was extremely helpful and friendly. I'm so glad this store exists and can't wait to visit it again soon! read more

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Penis bones and puffer fish with hats. What more do you need? Seriously though, fantastic place to check out (unless being around animal parts bothers you). Just do it, even if only to see the taxidermied pole dancing rat. Definitely getting a puffer fish with a hat someday. read more

Natural Selection - Raccoon penis bones and selection of feet - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

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We were walking through the midtown Reno neighborhood on our way to lunch with fam. We were exploring and window shopping along the way. This shop caught our eyes. Through the window I can see taxidermy animals, succulents, and plants in a modern designed shopfront. It peaked my interest. The shop, Natural Selection, labels itself as "purveyors of all things odd and beautiful". What a gem of a shop. After lunch, I meandered on back to this shop. Right when I walked in, all the taxidermy small critters such as a flying bat and weasel were intriguing. Don't fret folks, the owners obtained these items at estate sales and surrenders. They are not commissioned. Plus they stock plants and flora; houseplants, succulents... all things to build a terrarium or buy one already made. The inventory is sure unique and rotates. You can buy $3 turkey feathers, $4+ geodes. The shop is small business owned by a daughter and mother duo. Luv that. Follow the shop on Instagram, Facebook, or their own website. Also to reference for folks not familiar with Reno but are familiar with Sactown, the shop is in a neighborhood that reminds me of midtown Sacramento. The neighborhood has a similar look, vibe, and collection of small businesses in an older neighborhood of homes. #naturalselectionreno read more

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Michael I. and I went on a midtown adventure and ended up at Natural Selection. Natural selection offers a variety of succulents, house plants and exotic taxidermy. OK...MAYBE NOT THE BEST PLACE TO TAKE SOMEONE WHO IS VEGAN! However after reading their About Us section on their website I found out that their animal products are sourced as leftovers from hunters, trappers,farms,private collectors and estates. That made me feel a lot better. Plus where else are you going to see a giant buffalo named Theodore? This place has lots of cool house plants. If you didn't know, house plants purify and filter the air in your home. So I highly recommend you purchase one for your place. Plant prices are similar to what you would find at home improvement stores. Natural Selection is one of a kind. I highly recommend checking it out! read more

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I love it!! Wasn't quite sure what this place was but we decided to go in one day and was blown away. They have an abundance amount of plants, really cool taxidermy stuff, fossils and so much more. My kids definitely love it here. The staff was also very friendly and answered any questions I had. I could spend all day here. Such a cute place. read more

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Do you have an interest for taxidermy? What about plants and succulents? Or how about both? Well, Natural Selection has its' shelves and walls stocked with mounts and skeletons from many different animals, reptiles, and insects. Scattered throughout those interesting curiosities they also have a variety of plants and terrariums. It definitely has a different vibe than most plant shops, and I absolutely love it! For our most recent visit, my room mate and I were looking for a gift for our friend. Our idea was to make our own terrariums for her. When we inquired about it, the employee managing the front desk explained everything we needed to know! All you need to do is start by picking the desired plants you want and then choose your your glass container. After we had everything we needed, she took us to the back of the shop where there was a countertop. There was all sorts of things to decorate your terrarium with. Soil, sand, rocks of different sizes and colors, moss, and so much more. At first it felt overwhelming to pick which items. But after inspecting everything, we had a better idea and it all fell into place. With such oddities, you'd probably do a couple doubly takes while scouting the shelves and walls. But it's this exact feature that makes Natural Selection uniquely stand out. Their service couldn't have been better as we had all of our questions answered. Building your own terrarium from scratch was also a fun activity. If you're looking to add to your plant collection, get in touch with your creative side and create your own terrarium, or just want to pop your head in to view the animal displays, Natural Selections has it all. read more

Natural Selection - Terrarium workshop area. We were hard at work. - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

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What a cute lil spot in Midtown, Reno! If you're on the hunt for taxidermy and plants --this is the place! This business has social distancing in place so you can shop safely. I ended up buying some of their candles! I cant wait to return so I can get some taxidermy and maybe some plants too. Excited to come back! read more

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Great store! Lots of really interesting stuff and really good customer service. (I just wish the parking in midtown was better!!) read more

You have to see it to believe it. This store doesn't look like it from the outside but it is such a treasure. They are not very big but they are big in character. They're so many fun and interesting things to find in here. It's really hard to explain but this place is quite unique. Go look inside!! read more

I received a Christmas gift from this store and just had to visit. Upon entering the store I was overwhelmed by the beauty of all of the plants and containers. The selection of books and unique gift ideas is incredible. I decided I needed some succulents and a cute container and was pleasantly surprised when the young woman at the counter offered to plant them for me and teach me how I can care for them at home. She also encouraged me to add stones, glass, beads etc as little extras for a finished look. The staff here is wonderful and very helpful. Overall, my experience was great and I cannot wait to bring friends to this gem of a store! read more

Natural Selection - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

Natural Selection is one of my favorite stores in all of Midtown Reno. Just ask my boyfriend and he can confirm that I try to sneak a visit to this shop every time we pass by. Keep in mind that they don't open until noon, so plan your visit accordingly. Atmosphere: Walking in feels like stepping into the study of an old eccentric professor. From the ceiling hangs a variety of trailing indoor plants. The displays are filled with all manner of small complete animal skeletons, individual bones, and all kinds of other preserved animal parts (quills, teeth, alligator hands). Smaller house plants and succulents are tucked into every available corner, giving the whole shop a very wild overgrown feel to it. Animal Oddities: They have the best selection of animal bones, quills, skeletons, taxidermy, etc that I've ever seen in a shop in person. Every time I go back they have new specimens and new plants in stock. If you are interested they have a great Instagram page you can follow to stay up to date on all the new things coming in. Plants: I love how helpful the staff is here when buying a new plant. They are very knowledgeable on how to take care of each plant so that you have the best possible start. read more

Great customer service and inventory. Recently moved down the street and fell in love with this place. Everyone there is very knowledgeable and kind. 10/10 would recommend this place to anyone. read more

Natural Selection - Air plants - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

I am so happy I was finally able to go into this fun little shop! Every person that works here is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about all things plants. It is so apparent how much love and passion they all share and each person was amazing about teaching me everything that I need to know about how to take care of my plants the right way. This is this the perfect place to find the perfect gift or to add some life into your home. read more

One of my favorite places in Reno. These small businesses are the true gems of our area. Follow them on social media and they are there to ask any questions, provide help and guidance, and just generally be awesome. I found them randomly once on Instagram and followed their quirky, fun, and unique selection. I am not a squeamish woman and find this store fascinating. Its a new world when you step inside and surrounded by greenery, taxidermied animals, pretty minerals and animal body parts. They have amazing knowledge about all sorts of plants, succulents, tropical, rare and unique ones too. That's for me my favorite thing, but i do find myself picking up their smaller fun animal parts. The porcupine quills are fun decorations, seashells, feathers of all kinds. On my last visit i learned they had expanded and really opened the place up, they have a sweet potting station in the back so i was able to bring in a pot i had i from sierra water gardens that had one lone cactus surviving in it, and they helped (ie did all the work lol) me pack it full of more succulents. See picture. I also brought in another one i was worried about but then added more to that pot too. I didn't ask the name of who helped me, but she was so informative, friendly and personable. I will be back for more. Such a great store. read more

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If I could describe my experience in one word, it would be PHENOMENAL! When I first stepped into Natural Selection, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the vast assortment of succulents, house plants, tropical plants, flowers, etc. I do not have a green thumb, but I had the pleasure of meeting Nina, one of the staff, who went out of her way to answer all of my questions and assist me with my purchases. Nina's passion for her work is contagious, and I was truly impressed by both her knowledge and professionalism. Another pleasant surprise was Natural Selection's potting station, which includes everything a newbie could ask for when purchasing succulents. Nina helped to arrange and design my succulents in a way that I could not have done by myself. I ended up purchasing several succulents, bamboo, air plants, pottery, and other knickknacks, which I'm super excited to display in my home. I am including a few pictures of some of the finished products to illustrate the beauty of Natural Selection's products. I highly recommend to plant lovers with no knowledge or skill, to those who are experts. Thank you for a wonderful experience! read more

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Decided to pop in to take a peek at this shop while on a birthday trip and OMG I can't wait to go back!!! It was so much fun looking at everything, and I of course had to take a few things home with me. Such a unique shop with more to see than you'd ever expect from the outside! The taxidermy is incredible, and all of the plants are clearly well taken care of and are gorgeous as well. You could spend forever in here and still discover something nee that you hadn't noticed before! Definitely stop by if you're in (or anywhere near) Reno, you won't regret it!! read more

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The store is cute and fun. It's a great idea and something different. Some things seem way overpriced, but given the location I'm not surprised. The energy in here was off and customer service was lacking. Maybe I came in on an off day, but I won't be back again anytime soon. read more

Such a cool little curio shop! The owners were very friendly and welcoming, and enthusiastic about sharing their passion for plants and taxidermy. read more

Do not miss this amazing store. They carry tons of plants and have a make your own terrarium or pot your own plant station. But it also has the most unique and awesome selection of inventory. It's like nothing else in town and absolutely worth a visit. My favorite place in town to buy unique gifts that my friends always love. read more

As humans, our interest in the odd and obscure is undeniable. We've been marveling and gawking at "Freak Shows" for years, and today that practice still continues in various forms around the world. Things outside the norm immediately draw our attention and spark our curiosity, and as I've learned, just beneath the surface of most great cities, lies a subculture that honors, respects, reveres everything out of the ordinary. The TV show "Oddities" brought this community of collectors to light in my eyes, and ever since I've been fascinated with these curiosities and the people who collect them. I think my love for these stems from their provenance, places in history, the stories they have to tell, and the fact that each piece is so unique. They're all things that make you scratch you do a double take, scratch your head and say "huh" or make you feel like you're staring at the proverbial train wreck from which you can't seem to look away. They're simply fascinating, and Natural Selection is store full of just these things! One glance around the store and you can tell that Emily, the owner, is a big fan of taxidermy. You'll find mounts of all types from mammals to magnificent butterflies and beetles, as well as skeletons and even dioramas. I happen to like this stuff a lot, and the collection on display at Natural Selection has some very interesting pieces, many of which have some apparent age to them. These older pieces all have their own stories to tell, and Emily is happy to share them all with you. I was particularly interested in the Eurasian Woodpeckers, a specimen that pre-dates the endangered species act, which she acquired from a European museum collection! Next on my list of questions is to ask about the big burmese python that guards the entry way, and maybe pick up a collection of the funny squirrels around the shop! Shhh... don't tell Ashley. One thing Ash and I did fall in love with collectively was a ball of living algae. Yes. A ball of green fuzzy plant matter from Japan called a Marimo. I don't know what fascinated us so much, but this floating green ball in a jar has been on our minds ever since we laid eyes on it. These things naturally occur in rivers in Japan, and are now being cultivated in captivity. They're alive, and they grow 5 mm a year. I'm pretty sure there will be a marimo on my desk in the next week or so. And maybe a carnivorous plant (venus fly trap or pitcher plant) and succulent terrarium too! Natural Selection has something for everyone. You probably don't know what that something is yet, and you may not even know it exists, but once you visit, you'll know it when you see it. Who knows, it may literally jump off the shelf at you! read more

Natural Selection - Meet Mr. Marmo! He's a 20 year old algae ball and could be your pet! - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

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I love this store. From the first time I walked by and met Marcie she was so nice. She always remembers my name and my family members' names. Marcie and Emily treat everyone so great. Emily is so knowledgeable about all of the animals and plants in the shop. She has so many stories and information to share. This store is filled with so many beautiful plants that you can't find just anywhere. They will tell you how to care for them as you checkout at the register. You can also find some interesting animals and animal parts to stock your house with too if you are into that! Marcie and Emily's 2 employees are very nice as well. read more

This was my first time visiting, and I loved the area it was in. The store itself was roomy and a good temperature, and pricing was just right. I was looking for an air plant (my first air plant actually, I have a perfect little pot and stand for one), and had been seeing their posts on Facebook for a few months. I also picked up a rabbit's foot keychain. I do wish the parking situation was a little better, as I had to park a few blocks away. Just worth noting that you may have to walk a bit, but the weather was lovely so I did not mind. That's pretty common in the midtown area too. Overall a wonderful business and I'll be back! read more

Natural Selection - Storefront - Taxidermy Near Me - Reno, Nevada

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This store is so fun and while it feels like it would be for a niche market, I actually feel like you'd have to be a pretty boring person to not find something here that doesn't entice you. The owner is sweet as pie and incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about her products. She can tell you, in detail, everything there is to know about everything in her store. I so enjoy listening to her share. This is definitely the store to visit for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift. They have carnivorous plants, taxidermy, specimens in jars, fossils, bones, and other "natural" items. It's highly entertaining to take a walk through here and hard to walk out without buying something. read more

Natural Selection is one of the most unique and amazing locations in the city of Reno. If you have ever listened to the podcast adventure The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium, this place would absolutely remind you of the wacky adventures through exotic flora and fauna that the podcast conveys. The first thing you notice is the taxidermy. There are heads, feet, bones, quills, hands, and pretty much any other appendage (that are safe for work) of all types of animals. My girlfriend loves using skeletons to decorate, and I support her through every decision she makes. We recently saw coyote jaw bones there, and were really tempted. We decided on some porcupine quills instead though. The plants are also really cool. They specialize in hanging decorative plants, but also have a great selection of succulents and pretty flowers. Every employee there is an expert in how to take care of everything as well. They know how much water and sunlight each plant prefers. It's amazing! I would recommend this store to anyone looking to kill a few minutes in midtown! read more

Owner operator was so knowledgeable! Answered all my terrarium jar needs. I could spend hours checking out the selection of carnivorous plants air ferns and yes small collection of taxidermy. Are you out of porcupine quills and Venus flytraps? That's what I bought as well as all of her moss she had in stock and a gift certificate for a gift. Eclectic, amazing, and it looks like she does do to demos! read more