Skeletal Preparation Using Dermestidae
The department manages a colony of flesh-eating dermestid beetles for use in preparing bones, skulls and skeletons for display or research. This service may be offered to other non-profit organizations and qualified researchers. Fee, if any, is based on the nature of the work required. Contact the
curator for more information.
Specimen Loans
The department loans specimens for research and educational purposes. Specimens will be shipped or can be hand carried from the department after loan approval. Contact the
curator or assistant curator for loan inquiries from the vertebrate zoological collections.
Download the Collections & Research Policies
Consulting and Specimen Identification
The department will consult with Museum members, the general public and businesses on identification of vertebrates or parts thereof, and other topics related to the Vertebrate Zoology collection, research or areas of department expertise.
Contact the
curator or assistant curator to initiate a consultation and to discuss submitting photographs of your specimen or to discuss bringing the specimen to the Museum for department staff to view.
There is no charge to Museum members or to the general public for most identification services. Fees may apply for services to for-profit organizations, or if significant resources are required.
Nuisances Species Inquiries
Some vertebrate species can become nuisances, but many are harmless and will not pose a problem. Identification of the species and/or questions pertaining to the behavior of individual animals can be addressed to the
curator or assistant curator.
Staff does not conduct nuisance species removal; for such removals contact the Ohio Division of Natural Resources NE Ohio District 3 Office at 330-644-2293 or your local government office for the name of an authorized nuisance trapper.
Inventories, Surveys & Outreach
The Department conducts inventories and surveys of vertebrates primarily in northeastern Ohio. These services are also available to environmental consulting firms, with fees assessed based on the nature of each project.
Site visits are available for private land owners interested in wildlife habitat assessments, potential land donation, wetland pond evaluation as it affects amphibians and other wildlife, or wetland or seasonal pool placement and /or construction design. Typically there is no charge for a site visit, unless significant time or resources are required. For more information contact the
curator.