Wet Specimen Care Instructions

All of our wet specimens are fixed in formalin (10% formaldehyde and 90% distilled water) and stored in 70% Iospropyl alcohol.

Wet Specimens are not toys and are not meant for children. Please use caution. All specimens should be handled in an well ventilated area and with gloves always. They have gone through the leaching process, however the chemicals used to preserve are dangerous and proper protection should be used.

Always store your wet specimen out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Sunlight and heat can cause the discoloration of the preservation liquid and degradation of the tissues. 70% alcohol is the standard preservation liquid for wet specimens and is very flammable. Do not store near open flame or heat sources.

Your specimen will arrive in a sealed bag with a moist alcohol pad. You will need to have 70% alcohol ready for it’s arrival. Using gloves and in a well ventilated area rinse your specimen with distilled water and fill the display with alcohol. Your specimen should last a lifetime. Always check your specimens periodically to evaluate for leaks or evaporation and top off alcohol as needed. The specimen should always be fully submerged to prevent drying out.

Over time the alcohol your specimen is stored in may discolor or become cloudy. While this is a normal process and can affect the specimen’s appearance, all efforts have been made to prevent this as much as possible. Please do not worry. This is normal due to lipids (fats and oils) naturally present in the tissues being pulled through osmosis. While museums consider this to be part of the specimen and do not change the fluid, feel free to rinse your specimen and replace the alcohol as needed.