Why 11 Million Embalmed Specimens Are Stored In The Field Museum's Basement

Why 11 Million Embalmed Specimens Are Stored In The Field Museum's Basement | Colossal Collections

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Күн бұрын

The Field Museum in Chicago preserves everything from fish and snakes to frogs and Komodo dragons in their basement.
These 11 million fluid specimens are preserved in jars or tanks. Preparing and storing them is a centuries-long commitment, so why do it? This method effectively keeps their shape and, in some cases, even DNA. Not only that, but it has helped researchers do groundbreaking work, like developing new techniques for getting old DNA and discovering new species right among the shelves.
We went to the Field Museum to see how new specimens are added to the ever-growing collection.
0:00 - Intro
0:53 - Acquisition
1:15 - Water Snake
3:40 - Catfish
4:19 - Komodo dragon
4:56 - Diaphonized Fish
6:40 - Spider-Tailed Horned Viper
7:45 - Frogs
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Why 11 Million Embalmed Specimens Are Stored In The Field Museum's Basement | Colossal Collections

Пікірлер: 2 000

@moammilzafar Жыл бұрын

McDonald's tray?? so that's where the meat comes from...

@mateuszcielas3362 Жыл бұрын

which minute?

@Gorrgrim Жыл бұрын

They stole it...

@ernemller6428 Жыл бұрын

Like fr lol mcds ??? Lol

@Stephan905 Жыл бұрын

@Mateusz Cielas 1:03

@Knownsky Жыл бұрын

*taco bell bong sound affect*

@andrewhartmangunsmith2755 Жыл бұрын

A Lizard collected in 1838! Wow that's amazing. You guys are what the future generations will depend upon. So all the best from Dallas. Very informative video.

@scoobkwtsou2463 Жыл бұрын

biology bachelor then masters in that field

@bearbones4347 Жыл бұрын

They made presidency

@josephsalcido1639 Жыл бұрын

I preserved my sand boa like this. Now he is with me forever. Its been over a year and he still looks like the day I injected the formalin. Amazing

@alainapristine3305 Жыл бұрын

Just like my mother☺️

@PostTraumaticSwagDisorder Жыл бұрын

wow

@kly8105 Жыл бұрын

Do they move around like Rowdy?

@mr.p1814 Ай бұрын

@@alainapristine3305make sure to change the jar often for change of air😊

@danielbazarnik00 7 ай бұрын

i feel like the mcdonalds tray at 1:20 shows how much gets invested into our museums

@ahmadahadyar5738 Жыл бұрын

Their work is so valuable for science.

@k-noori08 Жыл бұрын

Atta

@fynkozari9271 Жыл бұрын

Why did they steal McD tray? Not enough budget?

@MERIDIAN2251 Жыл бұрын

@@fynkozari9271 someone’s gotta eat

@cant.fall.without.jumping2143 Жыл бұрын

@@fynkozari9271 i mean, a trays a tray, it was probably needed for budget at the time and then just kept , or various places also donate tools and stuff to science research centers so youll see dental tools, old artist brushes and sculpting tools etc a mcdonalds tray isnt too farfetched

@alessiobaley1792 Жыл бұрын

says the one who destroyed the twin towers

@danomeral Жыл бұрын

Woah, cool to see how the Spidertail viper was identified. Ive seen videos of it, they live up high on cliff faces using the little tail to behave like a spider to attract birds to eat. Its cool! Also, seeing that poor water snake on a mcdonalds tray made me laugh. I love snakes, didnt expect youtube to recommend something like this to me lol!!

@thegaynomad Жыл бұрын

Just thought I'd let everyone know since I missed everything that was said in this video after having muzzled out by the sound of my hacking and gasping for air throughout the whole video

@danomeral Жыл бұрын

@@thegaynomad based on this comment i can only assume they were trying to petrify u too

@cagneybillingsley2165 Жыл бұрын

peta dorks: omg i love science. also peta dorks: animals are killed in the process of scientific research?

@OfficiallySnek Жыл бұрын

Snek

@mfik4196 Жыл бұрын

I'm just thinking if they preserve large animal such as cow

@alexsander_at 9 ай бұрын

As a biologist, I can say that I can smell the formaldehyde from here 😂

@littlecreatureslife7118 5 ай бұрын

😄😄

@InesElm-dj9tn 4 ай бұрын

They stole mcdonald's tray 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@jx995 Жыл бұрын

I would definitely like a part 2 to this

@Your_average_filipino Жыл бұрын

Ikr it’s so interesting

@taskmastersnowyang4315 Жыл бұрын

A whole series going through each and every specimen would be amazing

@IntrepidFraidyCat Жыл бұрын

Yes! We need some deep dives into this topic. I especially love the clear fish.

@ICEDOUTv9 Жыл бұрын

comment section drained?

@jx995 Жыл бұрын

@@ICEDOUTv9 In the sewer all alone 💎

@alphasky03 Жыл бұрын

I wouldn't be able to walk thru this museum. I would feel creeped out by everything. Feeling like it would jump up and grab me at any point. Props to all of these folks who do this.

@RCDRONE1010 Жыл бұрын

You should really check it out if you have the chance, also don’t forget to check out Sue!

@renderuntocaesarwhatiscaes2300 Жыл бұрын

I’m with you Dan. They could actually make a show out of that 2 guys scared and creepy out in the field Museum lol I wonder is there a market for that.

@antonioramos8804 Жыл бұрын

Maybe but the rest of the "Field" is beautifully laid out with great panoramas. You'll need at least three days. As a kid growing up in Chicago, I loved this place. Go when its cool. Watch out for California's tourists, super rude. You'll be taking a picture of something and they'll step into your "frame". Good luck

@greensky01 9 ай бұрын

HAHA, don't worry, you won't see them. As stated at the beginning of the video, these specimens are kept in the basement. The main museum constantly presents new exhibits and most often does not include these for the public.

@lefty9419 7 ай бұрын

The Field Museum is so amazing. Went there on my first and only trip to Chicago. Wish there had been a tour for something like this. The dinosaur collection was worth the visit. Hope more people get the chance to go there

@lmfaolol78 Жыл бұрын

imagine you died just to become a display and specimen for centuries

@Loafyloop Жыл бұрын

Just sad as hell

@fooxling Жыл бұрын

i’d be honoured to be honest. someone looked at me and thought i was good enough to be displayed and used to help science! that’s pretty good if you ask me

@tigris115 Жыл бұрын

Honestly, that'd be pretty cool

@lmfaolol78 Жыл бұрын

@@fooxling if thats an honor to you that sounds horror to me

@ResasRandomStuff 3 ай бұрын

There are people who donate their body for that reason.

@JaiShreeRam_901 Жыл бұрын

*Takes a pickle out of the jar and eats it* Everyone in The Field Museum's Basement- 😨😨😨😨

@broskiblue726 Жыл бұрын

"Nooooo we didn't examine it, that was the last Cucumberous Vinegarous "

@gliscornumber151 Жыл бұрын

"you fool! That was a sea cucumber not a regular cucumber!"

@bensophin Жыл бұрын

“MY AUNT!!!!!! NO!!!!!”

@e_is_for_existential_crisis Жыл бұрын

*multiple diseases joined the chat*

@stevedenis8292 Жыл бұрын

Series finally of Rick and Morty. Roll credits not out bumper.

@wandahastings8470 Жыл бұрын

We were at the field museum in Chicago just a few months ago. That place is huge and so much to see.

@robertbartosik8339 5 ай бұрын

They use a tray from McDonald's lol.

@MylotheZooLovingScientist Жыл бұрын

Ah! The spider-tailed viper! Such an amazing, incredible species! So unbelievable apparently that the Field Museum had one and couldn't tell its lure was actually an insane appendage and not an anomaly. So, so cool to hear this story and see this species spotlighted in this video. The entire video, of course, is brilliant, but the viper was definitely an unexpected treat. Ugh, museum collections never fail to impress me.

@HannahBanana126 Жыл бұрын

I love videos like this where we get to look at animal or rock museums that involve the process of collecting and admiring them all! 😍

@freezaphreeze4298 Жыл бұрын

there's a nature for that

@MrShanester117 Жыл бұрын

Admiring the thing you slaughtered to stick in a jar? Wow, such admiration

@freezaphreeze4298 Жыл бұрын

Would that make institution a people zoo?

@HannahBanana126 Жыл бұрын

@@MrShanester117 Dude, it's for research and to understand evolution in animals for the future to look back on. We are not looking at cruelty and abuse to dead animals. We are seeing their beauty, and to help understand their species and bring it from close extinction.

@GeorgiaGeorgette Жыл бұрын

@@HannahBanana126 No one mentioned cruelty or abuse to dead animals. It's the fact they were made to be dead in the first place.

@nilujoseph8536 Жыл бұрын

Forbidden pickles 👀

@Naveenkumar-gz3fj Жыл бұрын

☠️☠️☠️

@bulgeun-wihyeob Жыл бұрын

i think that this is so cool. i could never walk down rows and rows of preserved animal shelves though, or rifle through tanks of them, or touch them (with gloves or without). kudos to these researchers and scientists!! what a fascinating career

@robertomandal4135 4 ай бұрын

WHAT you mean?

@kyrab7914 Жыл бұрын

I love videos like this bc it's informative on smthn I didn't know much about. That said, it also makes me want to go talk to a scientist for hours

@2TMarie Жыл бұрын

Preservation of species is very important work! When Sara pulled out that water snake, did anyone notice that she put it on a McDonald's tray?? How Scientific! 😂

@novaenricarter705 Жыл бұрын

@@freezaphreeze4298 Why do you write in haiku

@tlacuache4448 Жыл бұрын

@@novaenricarter705 😂

@bearzdlc2172 Жыл бұрын

whats wrong with that? they probably got it all from donations and theyre solid nice trays.

@kray97 Жыл бұрын

My college anatomy class did a field trip here. I freaked when the guy pulled out a huge electric eel from the formalin trunk.

@bhushan0_078 Ай бұрын

I smiled all throughout the video, how casual all this is touching and operating ... on the other side i will get slight shivers by just looking at any reptile even if its dead.

@AlphaNerd132 Жыл бұрын

I'v seen a used pickle jar (the wooden handle phax glass barre) and a mc donalds tray. i love the way this lab works

@haiseruu2184 Жыл бұрын

im surprised they arent coughing from the formalin because of how strong it is. Maybe I'm not used to it because we brought out our preserved frogs the other day and the formalin was really strong it made my nose ache xD

@Crispr_CAS9 Жыл бұрын

You get used to it.

@FreshO2 Жыл бұрын

I still can't imagine if there's a human trapped in a jar on that lab

@DeanDangerousTDD7 Жыл бұрын

research dr ulrich george klopfer

@aru-YT Жыл бұрын

nah im more curious on a diaphonized human

@piddgy.-.4402 Жыл бұрын

what if that place has a pony in a jar

@Earley405 Жыл бұрын

I was wondering if you could "clear" a human, lol.

@steve6888 Жыл бұрын

there's a channel that goes by the name of Odd Animal Specimen that specifically talks and showcases these speciments, really cool channel!

@magicknight13 Жыл бұрын

I've never been to chicago before but now I'm adding the field museum to my go-to list whenever I do go!!

@lefty9419 7 ай бұрын

Please do. The place is absolutely incredible. The dinosaur collection is amazing. You should definitely go. So many unbelievable things to see!

@christopherskipp1525 4 ай бұрын

Another reason to stay away from Chicago.

@MarijnvdSterre Жыл бұрын

Love Sara's enthusiasm about her field. I bet a diner or drinks with her could lead to some fascinating conversations.

@wemakeasiansurveys4U Жыл бұрын

Simp

@MarijnvdSterre Жыл бұрын

@@wemakeasiansurveys4U lol, you poor incel boy

@kasieeee Жыл бұрын

💀

@fanaticalplel1003 Жыл бұрын

Negative rizz

@IntrepidFraidyCat Жыл бұрын

Very interesting! I'd love a video going into more detail on making the little fish clear with colored bones. 👍🏻😀

@Lewisiaisoutofcontext Жыл бұрын

Staining small wet specimens is called diaphonization! It's really cool!

@jayemeljay2117 Жыл бұрын

@@Lewisiaisoutofcontext wow .. but could they do something similar with a horse??

@Lewisiaisoutofcontext Жыл бұрын

@@jayemeljay2117 Unfortunately not. Diaphonization starts with "bleaching" all the tissues with a type of enzyme that begins to break it down, turning it transparent. If the specimen is too large it won't be able to turn all the tissue transparent before it actually starts destroying it instead. So it's mostly used for small and brittle specimens.

@jqv94 Жыл бұрын

I may visit a museum with a human body preserved this way.

@Rayz4 Жыл бұрын

Looks like a good level design for The last of us. Imagine walking through an abandoned building full of preserved animals.

@Zantides Жыл бұрын

This was way more interesting than i thought it'd be.

@onemaddad3823 Жыл бұрын

The stolen McDonald’s tray lol. I thought only my friends and I stole those things (in high school), so we could go “tray sliding” in our cars lol. If you’ve never gone tray sliding, you need to. Just need a front wheel drive car. Put two trays under each rear tire, pull the e-break, and get to driving! Lol

@fmar.8311 Жыл бұрын

We actually did this a few times in my first car (mazda mx3) in high school at the mcdonald's parking lot about 20+ years ago. LOL

@lucifer5788 Жыл бұрын

Yall giving me anxiety

@RyanAl92 Жыл бұрын

Do you know how many kids died or got critically injured this way?

@onemaddad3823 Жыл бұрын

@@RyanAl92 I’m sure plenty. Kids are stupid. We never got hurt cuz we only did it in empty parking lots…

@onemaddad3823 Жыл бұрын

@@sal50111 yea, they’re also marinating chicken in NyQuil. So I think tray sliding is pretty tame compared to that lol

@RonSmith472 Жыл бұрын

That was so cool!!! This is the part of the Field I'd love to tour!

@supercutofus Жыл бұрын

1:16 mcdonalds tray 😂

@kimberlyguinn3440 Жыл бұрын

this is so cool to me, i love things like this

@nawr494 Жыл бұрын

I love how many people genuinely interested in this topic are in the comments instead of just trolling the content ❤️❤️ this is very wholesome to see

@sarvaraidu2811 Жыл бұрын

More of this please

@readersfragment 7 ай бұрын

What course do you have to take to get into this field of work

@kash8220 Жыл бұрын

1:20 she’s using a McDonalds food tray hahahaha

@Tjk468 Жыл бұрын

The McDonald’s tray😂

@karenaouwad2697 Жыл бұрын

Very cool and informative video.. great content

@joshualagger 3 ай бұрын

Sara is so passionate and knowledgeable :)

@martinchitembo1883 Жыл бұрын

I hope in future by extracting their DNA we can bring them back to life with the advancement in technology of stem cells.

@Ocean_Man Жыл бұрын

Sadly thats almost impossible. Even if stem cell tech keeps improving that far, the amount of time and resources needed to even atempt to create fertile animals would (and kinda should tbh) certainly be put in medical advancements

@peggedyourdad9560 Жыл бұрын

@@Ocean_Man Maybe through discovering how to use those techniques we could figure out how to apply the same techniques for humans.

@Ocean_Man Жыл бұрын

@@peggedyourdad9560 I want to believe that theres an ethical way to do that but a life lived as an artificially created neanderthal living under constant observation isnt one id wish on anyone

@peggedyourdad9560 Жыл бұрын

@@Ocean_Man I mean, there are already people that exist who were developed in a lab. You ever hear of test tube babies? So far those people turned out normal.

@Ocean_Man Жыл бұрын

@@peggedyourdad9560 thats goofy as hell, your talking about normal people that where created from living humans DNA as theyr children, not about science project babies of another human species created for testing

@thatguy-xt7dz Жыл бұрын

Its good they are doing this so the future can see what alot of these things looked like. The way things are going not much will be left in the future

@TylerPerry-qd7us Жыл бұрын

yeah so better start killing everything so we can talk about what a wonderful world we once had!

@user-vj2oz1jv2u Жыл бұрын

А не проще ли не уничтожать природы

@logimoe Жыл бұрын

Yes especially with that woman catching them and putting them in jars instead of letting them live and reproduce

@SetuwoKecik Жыл бұрын

But it's sadder when you're realized that the future generations probably can only see those creatures from these jars, not on wildlife :(

@SetuwoKecik Жыл бұрын

@@logimoe you don't understand the point of this preservation, do you?

@aaronjohnson718 Жыл бұрын

This is amazing and is science at its best

@losingmymind611 Жыл бұрын

The Field Museum!! My favorite childhood destination 🥺

@faizarashid3703 Жыл бұрын

This is so interesting, would love to visit.

@MultiWeb23 Жыл бұрын

That is simply amazing! In the video they showed many fishes, amphibians and reptiles, but what about the other animals, are they stored like these?

@emilyboyce2147 Жыл бұрын

I think with other animals like mammals they are preserved dry more often due to their fur and hair and such.

@Ambuttx Жыл бұрын

they can be stored like this as well it's just difficult because they're generally larger

@mashi4525 Жыл бұрын

They gutted it n deflesh it and stuffed it with something( in my workplace, they put just cotton). There are other process too but i dont remember

@Apathymiller Жыл бұрын

Very very cool video. I am curious who stole the McDonald's tray though lol

@ChapitZulkefli Жыл бұрын

HAHA

@starlightanddreams1317 Жыл бұрын

It was my very first thought! 🤣 "Oh this tray would be perfect in the lab!'

@OPTIMUS200 4 ай бұрын

Bro like this is sooo interesting i wanna visit this museum

@GracieHays Жыл бұрын

Those fish are SICK. It's like art

@DoraEmon-xf8br Жыл бұрын

0:08 «Live in the basement» Well, that’s one way to put it…

@skykingtheo Жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣

@Yung_Fettuccine Жыл бұрын

"More than 11 million fluid specimens are dead in the basement"

@DRC-zn9dg Жыл бұрын

The female Dr. Is like an auto mechanic working on cars. She loves her job so well she dives right into them jars without gloves. Cool!

@Lithic.flakes Жыл бұрын

She's awesome haha

@Jm649 Жыл бұрын

Wow the diaphonized fish.. So interesting

@artparabel 9 ай бұрын

I love they put snake casually on McD's tray

@samghost1727 Жыл бұрын

Ok but why is Mr. Josh lying on the floor at 00:03??😹

@carlosromero3890 Жыл бұрын

I’m loving it

@cbkirby6199 Жыл бұрын

Very Interesting.

@plakat8155 Жыл бұрын

I remember learning about this from the brain scoop, it was a channel that was from the field museum and it went more in depth about this stuff

@bl4nkdemn863 Жыл бұрын

That lady putting her hand in the jar without gloves gives me anxiety

@KEMCHANIE 3 ай бұрын

Watching it in larger size is amazing

@rajarshi1432 Жыл бұрын

I'm really interested in zoology. What degrees do I need to have an occupation like Sara's?

@PuffOfSmoke Жыл бұрын

Start wit Biology and then afterwards you can get additional degree in DNA analysis.

@daniell5740 Жыл бұрын

Don’t get a real job

@SanilJadhav711 Жыл бұрын

wishing you a successful future

@applepie8308 Жыл бұрын

Science subjects,for example;integrated science

@mypalsalvintage135 Жыл бұрын

The Field Museum in Chicago is interesting to visit

@rowluna6400 3 ай бұрын

Very cool!

@Cyeri2806 Жыл бұрын

OMG! is that a Mcdonald tray I see when they preparing the snake! haha

@thomaschristopherwhite9043 Жыл бұрын

How the hell did a McDonald's tray end up there?

@LelouchOfBritannia Жыл бұрын

where do u think the unusable specimens go to?

@Sid-uu8of Жыл бұрын

I can imagine a movie where all these creatures come alive

@glukaise Жыл бұрын

fascinating

@Tyler.i.81 Жыл бұрын

Wow what a interesting place to work

@deadhorse1391 Жыл бұрын

My girlfriend is into wet specimens , fun thing to collect. We collect frogs, salamanders, small snakes and lizards to put into jars Back in the spring found a dead possum along the road that had a pouch of babies. Kept one and sold the rest. My nieces work for a vet and we get some neat things from them Have jar full of deer eyes Actually wet specimens are pretty popular now

@Yung_Fettuccine Жыл бұрын

That’s gross as hell bro. I wouldn’t want that in my house

@Justin-yc1ig Жыл бұрын

😐

@deadhorse1391 Жыл бұрын

@@Yung_Fettuccine I collect human bones and oddities Have an articulated Victorian human skeleton hanging in the kitchen, most of another in old nail keg and a mummified head and 5 other skulls Then 6 children coffins and etc So no my girlfriend’s wet specimens don’t bother me

@vidoxi Жыл бұрын

thats awesome that you have a partner to share that interest with! the other people replying to you are lame af lol

@user-iq7en1lg3i Жыл бұрын

@@Yung_Fettuccine I know right. That's scary af and bit psychopathic

@t.michaelbodine4341 Жыл бұрын

I'm donating my body to USC for science and I do hope chunks of me will be hanging around in jars in basements for centuries.

@Corgi_Donut 11 ай бұрын

Everyone at 2:00: IS THAT A MCDONALD’S TRAY? Me: yes, yes it is.

@mulsanne2852 Жыл бұрын

Those fish are so cool!

@henriqueborsariabe1982 Жыл бұрын

Please, part 2!

@terrianajosephinemariefort5837 10 ай бұрын

That snake lady is crazy good at her job!

@Tihhs 9 ай бұрын

I'm lovin' the McDonalds tray

@Watashiwa.Noodle Жыл бұрын

I have a question for you. How does your hair grow? Before it grows, where is it stored? I would like if you can make a video answering my question, thank you!

@troye.1309 Жыл бұрын

Yeah.... just like toenails and fingernails 🤔

@shineyourlightwithraz Жыл бұрын

Amazing..

@idklol6037 Жыл бұрын

Other than me gagging, throwing up in my mouth, and loosing my appetite, this is so cool!

@jjpamisa Жыл бұрын

Nice lab tray. Where did you get that?

@h.p.lovecraftscat8476 Жыл бұрын

Giant salamander be like 😆 Even in the afterlife he'd be 😆

@konecny_mik Жыл бұрын

I love how she prepares the snake on the McDonads food tray

@Wommala_odi_poidu Жыл бұрын

woww mind blowing

@cheridoris Жыл бұрын

0:17 "and why keep them wet?" 💀

@signupisannoying Жыл бұрын

Isn't formalin highly toxic? There's evaporation going on as they prepare the specimens.

@wafiqnasna4638 Жыл бұрын

The evaporated formalin isn't as toxic as how you think it is, it hurt your eyes and nose a bit but the pain wouldn't last long. Source: i am a vet met student

@RowOfMushyTiT Жыл бұрын

It's absolutely toxic, and should only be used in a fumehood. I foresee a courtcase when these worker's health is affected.

@EmryssMacLeod Ай бұрын

I had three pet water snakes and they love to bite! Seriously the best pets I've ever owned. They had a massive 70gal semi aquatic bioactive tank with lots of warm rocks and vines. They used every inch of their enclosure. Lived over 15 years!

@captainngoose Жыл бұрын

Anyone know what this career is called specifically? It looks really interesting and is something I'd be curious to get into as a career.

@angryhusky2467 Жыл бұрын

How does she remembers the species name of the snake and speaks so fluently 😮😮😮

@floofypoofybread Жыл бұрын

Its a pain tbh, when we study medical plants, we have to remember all of their latin names, and the worst part is we have to remember their old name or other names as well. For example Piper lolot and Piper sarmentosum, same thing