Preservation of Herps

[Montezuma]

Hey guys, I was kinda wondering if any of you do preservation of herps. I'm a herpetologist and we've always learned to use cheap old Isopropyl...Was wondering if any of you guys have used other techniques such as skinning, mounting or even liquid preservation. Thanks.

Here are a few of mine I have preserved at the house, they are preserved with Isopropyl.

From left to right: T.s.sirtalis (Eastern Garter Snake), T.s.sirtalis (Eastern Gater Snake), A.c.mokasen (Northern Copperhead), A.c.mokasen (Northen Copperhead), L.g.getula (Eastern Kingsnake), O.ventralis (Eastern Glass Lizard), N.s.sipedon (Northern Water Snake) and C.j.xantholophus (Jackson's Chameleon)

Those xantho. are actually 7 fertile and 7 infertile babies from my female that recently died, I was disappointed none the less.

 

[pohchunyee]

Isopropanol + dead animal = VERY WEIRD SMELL.... smell like morgue!! I just bury mine, preserving them makes me sad... after awhile of soaking...they will look very scary. I prefer to bury them!

 

[Chris Anderson]

Coming from a scientific background, my opinion is that if they die, might as well make use of them. As a result, I have a rather large group of preserved specimens from my own collection and other individual's/importers. I primarily preserve my specimens in 95% isopropyl but I do have a couple skeletal preparations. With them, the majority of the tissue was removed and they were then soaked in alcohol for a few days to remove any left over water content. They then were placed in a dermestid bettle colony at the Cornell Museum until they were appropriately cleaned. I would think this wouldn't be very difficult to replicate on your own.

Chris