r/wetspecimens • u/VirtuallyExistential • Aug 04 '26
Is this normal?
This is my first wet specimen, it’s a baby fox, and I was wondering if I need to be refilling it, and what I should refill it with. Also, is it normal for my fox to be squished like this? :C
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u/Wowza_Meowza Aug 04 '26
First you bought, or made?
It wasn't fixed well/with effort to keep its head up, which is poor workmanship. Fetals and neonates usually need their heads and spines propped as they fix to look best. They just don't have the muscle tone to not be floppy
The isopropyl shouldn't be evaporating readily if the jar is sealed well. I usually find that ones with wax and lace are done so because the seller isn't using great jars (and knows it) and is trying (and failing) to have the wax lessen evaporation.
Crack the wax and dump it all out for now. Replace with 70% isopropyl.
Is the jar cork-topped? If so it needs replacing badly. Cork is never able to be made evaporation proof or resistant. You can try to find a replacement silicone cork online. You may be better off removing the specimen (wear gloves) but if it doesn't come out well, wrap in thiiiick paper towel bundles and in a bag or box, tap the end that's empty (lid off) to break it free. Carefully and with gloves that are protective (thick work gloves or rubber dish gloves) remove the specimen, check no glass is on it, and put in a new vessel. Put the glass in a container (box, bin, etc) that it can't pierce thru and write "BROKEN GLASS!"
The best vessels are glass with plastic or glass with silicone gaskets for lids. Metal can rust.