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

1. The Field Museum in Chicago houses over 11 million fluid specimens, ranging from bonnethead sharks to Komodo dragons, all stored in its basement. Josh notes that there are 883 frogs among these specimens. The question arises: why retain such a vast collection, and why maintain them in a wet state? This preservation method can be likened to a library, where wet specimens retain their shape and, in certain instances, even their DNA. This approach allows researchers to maintain a semblance of a living zoo within their laboratories. Each jar serves as a volume from which researchers can extract knowledge, occasionally leading to the identification of entirely new species right from the shelves. However, it is not as simple as placing a Komodo dragon directly into an alcohol tank. The Field Museum must carefully acquire and prepare these specimens to ensure their preservation for future generations. Specimens are obtained through two primary methods: donations or through field research, where researchers may strategically euthanize specimens, such as the common water snake. It is important to note that these snakes can be quite aggressive if captured. Sara's research utilizes both new and historical specimens to analyze how habitat changes have impacted various species over time. Upon acquiring a new specimen, her initial step is to extract its DNA. This procedure is relatively recent, as the use of DNA in this manner only became prevalent in the 1990s. While it is feasible to obtain DNA, it is significantly easier to collect tissue samples from fresh specimens than from preserved ones.