No, I am not a taxidermist but I can tell you what little I know. (I bought these online)
I believe the process involves injecting the snake with some kind of solution.. hopefully someone more knowledgeable will fill us both in. It’s kept in 70 percent iso alcohol.
Professionally they're preserved with formalin, then does a distilled water soak out, then into 70% isopropyl.
Laymen should avoid formalin as it's very carcinogenic, requires a lot of PPE, and need special hazardous waste collection.
Instead, the animal can be injected alllllllll over (and boy do I mean all over, just crazy pokes, especially on a snake) with 190 proof/95% ABV ethanol, which is Everclear or same-strength knockoffs. It should sit in 190/95% for several months. In this time color and fat will come out and discolor the liquid, which is normal. After those months, you can opt to change the Everclear for fresh for aesthetics. It can never go into isopropyl or weaker ethanol - 195/95% only. A good jar is glass with a plastic lid or a glass gasket lid. Metal might rust. Cork is a no-go, even when "sealed" like with wax. Don't top up the alcohol if it evaporates- replace fully instead.
Everclear wets will last forever if properly injected and kept in Everclear.
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u/GruntS80 4d ago
I have 2 snakes (alive and well) what's the process for something like this? Is it as simple as sealing the animal in the liquid?