How to Preserve Crustaceans

Preserve crabs as part of a science project.

Crustaceans refer to animals with hard shells, like crabs, lobsters and crayfish. These animals are easily found in streams, in lakes and in the ocean, and they can provide a valuable science lesson for young children. If you have found a dead crustacean and you wish to preserve it for further study, use alcohol to keep the crustacean in good shape.

Things You'll Need

• Dead crustacean
• Quart jar
• 95 percent ethyl alcohol
• Glycerin

Instructions

1. Place your dead crustacean in a quart jar.

2. Pour 95 percent ethyl alcohol into the jar, enough to cover the crustacean and to fill the jar to the top.

3. Add 1 tsp. of glycerin to the alcohol.

4. Screw the lid onto the jar tightly. The alcohol prevents the crustacean from rotting and the glycerin helps preserve the color.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the alcohol in the jar once or twice a year.

References

• "Tuatara"; Collecting and Preserving Zoological Specimens; J. E. Morton; November 1950
• Loris Conservation; Sampling and Preservation for Reference Collections