Okay, before you start to ask too many questions, see this thread, it will explain A LOT!
Okay, now that we've passed that little bit of info, here's what I'm looking for. Complete, undamaged skeletons of fish, reptiles and amphibians. I don't want any wild animals, as these might be illegal. Now, I'm not looking for guppies here. Any fish that small is liable to be eaten whole by the beetles. I probably could make it work, but for now, I'll stick to bigger stuff. Things at least 6 inches long, and not super skinny should be good, fish-wise. As far as amphibians and reptiles, any size is fine (except maybe those tiny african dwarf frogs), as they have tougher skeletons than fish.
Specimens do need certain data with them. At a very minimum, I need to know the species (scientific name, not just common) and month of death. I also would like to know the location of origin (Petstore? What state? Wild caught? If so, where?), gender (if you can tell), age (if you know, or approximate), cause of death (age? disease?) and any other info you think might be relevant.
What about shipping? Well, you had better be willing to get a little bit dirty, depending on what it is. If it is a fish, let it sit out in the sun a bit till it dries, but please keep the flies OFF of it. I really don't like maggots... Then chuck it in the freezer. If you have a dehydrater, even better. Just turn it into fish jerky. Be careful not to dry it out too much, think jerky, not mummy. Beetles won't touch mummies. If it is a reptile or amphibian, you have to gut it. Carefully open up the abdomen. Don't cut up too high or you will cut the ribs. Remove as many organs as possible. Dry them out a bit, then freeze. After freezer, wrap it in a ton of newspaper to absorb any "drainage", and put it in several plastic grocery bags and a couple of sealed ziploc type bags. Put it in a box with a little more newspaper padding, and ship it to me! It'll be a little rank when it arrives, but the beetles like that anyway, so not a problem.
Okay, just PM me if you have anything you'd be interested in donating. I will pay shipping, but I'd prefer that specimens be donations. I'm in college, and I don't have that much money
. I will PM you back to tell you if I'm interested or not. I won't guarentee that it is something I will want for the collection. It will depend on a lot of factors (rarity, whether I already have one, size of specimen, etc).
In return for donated specimens that I do want, I am willing to take before, during and after photos. After all, who wouldn't wanted to see an iguana, arowana or lionfish skeleton? You'll also have the satifaction of helping us grow our university skeleton collection, and the satisfaction of imagining me holding back the bile in my thoat when I open a package that's been in the mail for a week with dead fish.
Feel free to PM and post questions and/or offers!
Okay, now that we've passed that little bit of info, here's what I'm looking for. Complete, undamaged skeletons of fish, reptiles and amphibians. I don't want any wild animals, as these might be illegal. Now, I'm not looking for guppies here. Any fish that small is liable to be eaten whole by the beetles. I probably could make it work, but for now, I'll stick to bigger stuff. Things at least 6 inches long, and not super skinny should be good, fish-wise. As far as amphibians and reptiles, any size is fine (except maybe those tiny african dwarf frogs), as they have tougher skeletons than fish.
Specimens do need certain data with them. At a very minimum, I need to know the species (scientific name, not just common) and month of death. I also would like to know the location of origin (Petstore? What state? Wild caught? If so, where?), gender (if you can tell), age (if you know, or approximate), cause of death (age? disease?) and any other info you think might be relevant.
What about shipping? Well, you had better be willing to get a little bit dirty, depending on what it is. If it is a fish, let it sit out in the sun a bit till it dries, but please keep the flies OFF of it. I really don't like maggots... Then chuck it in the freezer. If you have a dehydrater, even better. Just turn it into fish jerky. Be careful not to dry it out too much, think jerky, not mummy. Beetles won't touch mummies. If it is a reptile or amphibian, you have to gut it. Carefully open up the abdomen. Don't cut up too high or you will cut the ribs. Remove as many organs as possible. Dry them out a bit, then freeze. After freezer, wrap it in a ton of newspaper to absorb any "drainage", and put it in several plastic grocery bags and a couple of sealed ziploc type bags. Put it in a box with a little more newspaper padding, and ship it to me! It'll be a little rank when it arrives, but the beetles like that anyway, so not a problem.
Okay, just PM me if you have anything you'd be interested in donating. I will pay shipping, but I'd prefer that specimens be donations. I'm in college, and I don't have that much money
. I will PM you back to tell you if I'm interested or not. I won't guarentee that it is something I will want for the collection. It will depend on a lot of factors (rarity, whether I already have one, size of specimen, etc).In return for donated specimens that I do want, I am willing to take before, during and after photos. After all, who wouldn't wanted to see an iguana, arowana or lionfish skeleton? You'll also have the satifaction of helping us grow our university skeleton collection, and the satisfaction of imagining me holding back the bile in my thoat when I open a package that's been in the mail for a week with dead fish.
Feel free to PM and post questions and/or offers!
