I asked for an octopus wet specimen for Christmas and my sister delivered. The weirdo in me was like, “Cool…this would be interesting to look at on my desk every day while I work.” However, I didn’t sign up for caring for a dead pet.

This post explains what wet specimens are. According to the author:

Fluid-preserved specimens, also popularly called wet specimens or embalmed specimens, are samples of biological tissue that have been preserved with a fixative and then stored in a permanent liquid solution in a jar or other receptacle.

It’s become popular over the years. I never thought I could stomach looking at a preserved creature just sitting in a jar full of alcohol. At one time, I thought they sat in a jar full of formaldehyde. And the smell of formaldehyde makes me throw up. I started reading up on wet specimens. Every article I found stated that 70% isopropyl alcohol works. It keeps the specimen from decaying. Cool. I can deal with that.

Anyway, I’m calling it my pet because I actually have to make sure it stays submerged in alcohol so it doesn’t die. Again.

Meet Squidward:

Yes, Squidward is an octopus. And mine is adorable. I don’t care what anyone says.