Auckland Museum's creepy critters are crawling out of the Weird and Wonderful zone.

The museum says it's not part of its core business to keep live creatures.

And there have been comments from some members of the public about their welfare.

Bugs including weta, skinks, geckos and giant cockroaches will be removed, and a large crayfish and eel in other galleries have already been moved.

Museum director Roy Clare says all of the live animals, insects and fish will be gone by the middle of next year.