Why 11 Million Embalmed Specimens Are Stored In The Field Museum's Basement | Colossal Collections

The Field Museum in Chicago preserves everything from fish and snakes to frogs and Komodo dragons in their basement.

These 11 million fluid specimens are preserved in jars or tanks. Preparing and storing them is a centuries-long commitment, so why do it? This method effectively keeps their shape and, in some cases, even DNA. Not only that, but it has helped researchers do groundbreaking work, like developing new techniques for getting old DNA and discovering new species right among the shelves.

We went to the Field Museum to see how new specimens are added to the ever-growing collection.

0:00 - Intro
0:53 - Acquisition
1:15 - Water Snake
3:40 - Catfish
4:19 - Komodo dragon
4:56 - Diaphonized Fish
6:40 - Spider-Tailed Horned Viper
7:45 - Frogs

MORE SCIENCE INSIDER VIDEOS
Why Over 600,000 Bird Specimens Are Preserved At The Smithsonian | Colossal Collections
   • Why Over 600,000 Bird Specimens Are P...  
How 4 Million Fossils Are Excavated At La Brea Tar Pits | Colossal Collections | Science Insider
   • How 4 Million Fossils Are Extracted F...  
Dermatologists Debunk 8 Body-Odor Myths | Debunked | Science Insider
   • Dermatologists Debunk 8 Body-Odor Myt...  

------------------------------------------------------

#WetSpecimen #ColossalCollections #ScienceInsider

Science Insider tells you all you need to know about science: space, medicine, biotech, physiology, and more.

Visit us at: https://www.businessinsider.com
Science Insider on Facebook:   / businessinsi.  .
Science Insider on Instagram:   / science_ins.  .
Business Insider on Twitter:   / businessinsider  
Tech Insider on Twitter:   / techinsider  

Why 11 Million Embalmed Specimens Are Stored In The Field Museum's Basement | Colossal Collections