How to Preserve a Snake in a Jar

Place the snake inside the specimen jar. Position the snake so that the head and body is visible. If the body has any unusual characteristics, be sure they can be seen as well.

Commercial formalin is a 40% formula. Dilute this with enough water to make it a 4% solution. Using seawater requires a 2% solution. Pour the solution in the jar, being sure to completely cover the snake. Alternatively, you can use ethyl alcohol as a preservative. Make sure it is at least a 70% solution. Formalin penetrates the body tissues quicker, and preserves the internal organs better then alcohol. Add a teaspoon of glycerine per quart of alcohol to preserve colors better. When using alcohol, watch for evaporation and change the solution every 6 months to a year.

Label the jar with the habitat and locality the snake was found in, the date, identification of the specimen and your initials. The label may be taped to the side of the jar or placed inside with the preservative. To put it inside, write the label on a stiff white card with either a lead pencil or Indian ink. Don't use an indelible pencil, and if using Indian ink, soak the card in a 3 percent solution of acetic acid for a few minutes to set the ink.