Zoology Specimens

Quick Answer: Zoology specimens are preserved animals or animal parts, commonly kept in sealed jars of preserving fluid, set in resin blocks or prepared as dry mounts and skeletons. Biology classes use them to identify animal phyla and classes and to compare body plans.

Using Preserved Animals in the Laboratory

A preserved collection lets students see real animals from groups they would rarely meet alive. A typical series moves through the invertebrate phyla, for example a sponge, a jellyfish or sea anemone, a tapeworm or liver fluke, an earthworm, a crab or insect, a snail and a starfish, and then through the vertebrate classes: a shark or bony fish, a frog, a snake or lizard, a bird and a small mammal.

Each group is recognised by a few key features, so preserved animals work well for spotting practicals. Radial symmetry in cnidarians and five-part symmetry in echinoderms, segments in annelids, jointed legs in arthropods, a mantle and shell in molluscs, and scales, moist skin or feathers in the vertebrate classes can all be seen directly on the material.

The listing does not state which animals are included, how they are preserved or how many there are. Fluid-preserved zoology specimens are normally supplied in sealed jars; these should stay closed, and the preserving fluid should be handled according to its safety data sheet.

Applications

• Animal kingdom practicals arranged phylum by phylum
• Spotting tests where students name an animal and give features that place it in its group
• Comparative anatomy of symmetry, segmentation and body cavities
• Laboratory display cabinets for teaching and open days

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Keep jars of zoology specimens sealed and upright; reseal or top up only under staff supervision in a ventilated area.
• Check jars regularly for falling fluid levels or cloudy liquid, which signal a failing seal.
• Store away from heat and direct sunlight, and label each jar clearly with the animal’s name and group.

Why Choose LabEquip

Colleges and schools usually build an animal collection to cover each phylum in the practical syllabus. LabEquip lists this item among its biology lab products, and the animal charts support the same classification lessons; send the list of animals you need through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are zoology specimens preserved?

Soft-bodied animals are usually fixed and then kept in a preserving liquid in a sealed jar. Some are embedded in clear resin so they can be handled, and hard parts such as shells, exoskeletons and skeletons are often kept dry.

Which animal groups does a teaching collection normally cover?

A collection usually includes one or two examples from each major invertebrate phylum, such as sponges, cnidarians, flatworms, annelids, arthropods, molluscs and echinoderms, and from each vertebrate class: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

What precautions apply to fluid-preserved animals?

Keep the jars closed. If one must be opened, wear gloves and eye protection, work in a well-ventilated space or fume cupboard, and follow the safety data sheet for the preserving fluid. Leaking jars should be reported and resealed.

What is the advantage of resin-embedded specimens?

They can be passed around a class with no risk of spills or vapour, and the animal can be viewed from all sides. The drawback is that it cannot be touched or dissected.

How do preserved animals help in teaching symmetry?

They make symmetry obvious. A jellyfish or sea anemone is radially symmetric, an adult starfish shows five-part symmetry, and worms, insects and vertebrates are bilaterally symmetric, with a head end and left and right sides.

Can specimens be used alongside microscope slides?

Yes. The whole animal shows its external features, while prepared slides show its tissues or smaller relatives. Studying a preserved earthworm next to a slide of its transverse section is a common pairing.

Last Updated: September 2026