Question

Where and how do we preserve skeletons of animals, dry specimens etc.

Answer 1

The entire organism can be preserved by using formalin, alcohol (70-90%) or by freezing. But to preserve the skeleton of animals or dry specimen the following method is used:

• Removal of soft tissues: surplus soft tissues from bones was removed by cutting them. The bones were then transferred to 10% NaOH solution and then boiled.

• Removal of fatty tissues: by immersing bones in chloroform.

• Bleaching: the dried bones were transferred to Hydrogen peroxide for bleaching.  

• Theses bones are then dried and can be preserved for a long time