Provides a short summary of some of the problems commonly faced in anthropological and natural history collections that contain protein. While stored in spaces which are generally not conducive to microbiological attack on proteinaceous materials, museum specimens may face local conditions that can support degradation by molds and fungi. The museum environment is, however, ideal for the support of most insect pests. Microbial attack of proteins is briefly reviewed, and several examples of insect attack of bone, baleen, antler, and skin are presented to illustrate the general problem.