Do the Creatures You Give to Tom Nook Go Into the Museum in Animal Crossing? The Definitive Answer!
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Yes, the creatures (bugs and fish) you initially donate to Tom Nook DO eventually make their way into the museum, but not directly. These first five critters you hand over to the benevolent (yet ever-debt-demanding) Tom Nook are essential catalysts for getting Blathers to set up shop on your island. Think of them as foundational donations that unlock the entire museum experience. They don’t immediately appear on display, but they are the key to getting the museum built, after which you can start donating to Blathers, and those donations will be exhibited.
Understanding the Museum Unlocking Process
The early game in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is all about laying the groundwork for your island paradise. This involves gathering resources, crafting tools, and, most importantly, enticing new residents. Blathers, the owl curator of the museum, is a crucial addition, and getting him to your island requires a specific sequence of events that begins with Tom Nook.
The Initial Critter Collection
Tom Nook tasks you with finding five different bugs or fish to pique Blathers’ interest in establishing a museum branch on your island. These creatures are essential bait, showcasing the diverse wildlife your island has to offer. The species of bug or fish doesn’t matter; what matters is getting those five specimens into Tom Nook’s hands.
Blathers’ Arrival and the Museum Construction
Once Tom Nook has your critters, he’ll contact Blathers and provide you with a plot placement kit. Setting this kit down on your island is essentially reserving the real estate for Blathers’ future tent (and eventual museum). The very next day, Blathers will arrive in his tent, ready to accept further donations and assess the area’s suitability for a proper museum building. Then in two days, Blathers’ tent will be upgraded to a full museum.
The Real Donations Begin
After Blathers arrives, then the creatures you donate will be displayed. Now you donate directly to Blathers, bypassing Tom Nook altogether. These donations are the ones that will appear in the museum’s exhibits. So, while Tom Nook’s initial five creatures might not be individually visible, they were pivotal in making the museum a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Museum
Here’s a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions regarding the museum and creature donations in Animal Crossing: New Horizons:
1. How many creatures do I really need to donate to unlock the museum?
While you only directly donate five creatures to Tom Nook to start the process, consider them more as a “down payment.” You need to donate many more creatures, fossils, art pieces, and sea creatures to fully populate the museum’s various exhibits after Blathers arrives.
2. What happens if I accidentally sell my first five bugs/fish instead of giving them to Tom Nook?
Don’t panic! Just catch another five bugs or fish. Tom Nook will accept the next five you present to him, regardless of what happened to any previous catches.
3. Does it matter which five creatures I give to Tom Nook?
Nope! The species doesn’t matter. Any combination of five bugs and/or fish will do the trick. Focus on catching whatever is readily available on your island.
4. Can I donate sea creatures to Tom Nook for the initial five?
No, sea creatures obtained through diving are not eligible for the initial five donations to Tom Nook. You must stick to bugs caught with a net and fish caught with a fishing rod.
5. What happens if I try to donate a fake artwork to Blathers?
Blathers is a discerning curator and will immediately recognize a forgery. He will refuse to accept it, leaving you to decide whether to trash it, display it ironically in your home, or use it to decorate the island. The twins at Nook’s Cranny won’t buy it either.
6. Is it better to donate fossils or sell them?
Always donate fossils first to complete the museum exhibit. Once you’ve donated a particular fossil, subsequent finds can be sold for a decent price, providing valuable income.
7. How long does it take to fully complete the museum?
Completing the museum is a long-term endeavor that can take many months, even years, depending on your gameplay style. Some creatures and art pieces are seasonal or rare, requiring patience and persistence. The amount of real-world time it takes to fill the museum is part of the charm of the game.
8. What do I get for fully completing the museum?
Beyond the satisfaction of completing such a grand collection, you will receive a Museum Model from Blathers to commemorate your achievement. It’s a beautiful display piece to showcase your dedication.
9. Why does Blathers hate bugs so much?
Blathers suffers from entomophobia, a fear of insects. This is an amusing quirk of his character, given that a significant portion of the museum’s collection consists of bugs. He tolerates them for the sake of science and education!
10. Can I get a duplicate fossil from Blathers?
Yes, you can, and you will! Once you have already donated that particular fossil, Blathers will tell you that it’s already been donated and that he cannot accept it again. The twins at Nook’s Cranny will then buy it off you.
11. How do I get Tom Nook to introduce me to Lottie?
Tom Nook will call you after Resident Services has been upgraded from a tent to a building. He will ask you to visit the airport, where you will meet Lottie.
12. Why are there villager silhouettes in the museum’s fossil exhibit?
Those silhouettes aren’t meant to depict taxidermied villagers! They actually illustrate the evolutionary relationships between villagers and their prehistoric ancestors. It’s a clever way of connecting the present and the past.
13. Can I donate fish and bugs purchased from other players to the museum?
Yes, you can. As long as Blathers hasn’t already received that specific bug or fish, he’ll gladly accept it, regardless of where you obtained it. This can be a good strategy for filling your museum more quickly.
14. What is the rarest fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
Many consider the Coelacanth to be the rarest fish. It can only be caught in the ocean while it’s raining, making it a highly sought-after addition to the museum.
15. What is the point of the museum in Animal Crossing?
The museum serves several purposes. It’s a place to showcase your island’s biodiversity, a testament to your collecting prowess, and a valuable educational resource. More than that, though, the museum provides goals and accomplishments, and for a more formal and academic understanding of the learning that occurs through gaming, look no further than the Games Learning Society. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information. It adds depth and complexity to the game, encouraging players to explore and interact with their environment in meaningful ways.