Missouri’s natural hazards include venomous snakes and toxic plants, but the risks vary by species and setting. That broader subject will be explored in “Death by Natural Causes,” which opens March 20, 2027, at the Saint Louis Science Center’s Boeing Hall. The center says the St. Louis engagement will launch the exhibition’s North American tour; tickets go on sale January 8.
The exhibition was created by the Houston Museum of Natural Science with Stage 9 Exhibits, and is planned to travel to museums and science centers across North America for multiple years, according to First Alert 4 and the Saint Louis Science Center. The center lists three sections: Malevolent Minerals, Poisonous Plants and Fearsome Fauna.
Missouri hazards in context
The exhibit’s themes have counterparts in Missouri, though the state’s safety guidance is separate from the exhibition. The Missouri Department of Conservation lists five venomous snake species native to the state and identifies the copperhead as the most common. The department also notes that snakes, including venomous species, help control rodents and other pests.
Plant risks depend on exposure and setting, too. MU Extension’s guidance on poisonous plants affecting livestock notes that such plants occur throughout Missouri, including in pastures. The extension service also identifies poison hemlock as a plant that can threaten people and livestock.
For actual exposure concerns, the Missouri Poison Center says it provides free, confidential help around the clock. The center’s guidance is a practical local resource, not a description of what visitors will encounter in the exhibition.
