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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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Division of Mammals

Specimen Loans

As much as possible we encourage researchers to study our collection onsite, and hundreds of scientists come to the museum to examine specimens each year. At the same time we understand that a visit may not always be practical. Under special circumstances such as these, we will consider a specimen loan. In recent years we have been able to approve approximately three-quarters of all loan requests received.

Specimens are loaned only for scientific research, or scientific illustration related to the publication of research results. Research specimens are not loaned for teaching, nonscientific illustration, decoration or for personal or commercial use.　

Loans are made only to institutions and in care of a permanent staff member who assumes full responsibility for the use, storage, and safe, timely return of borrowed material.  Loan requests from students and postdocs must be co-signed by their major professor or other professional staff member, who thereby assumes full responsibility for the loan.

To request a loan, please submit a completed Specimen Loan Request Form via email to mammalloans@si.edu.

Specimen loans are a privilege, and the division of mammals reserves the right to grant loan requests at its discretion.

  • Specimens are loaned to academic or scientific institutions in the name of a recognized member of that organization. Student loans must be cosigned by an institutional representative assuming responsibility for the loan.
  • The loan period is six months, after which the borrower must return all specimens or write for an extension. In some cases loans may be arranged for longer (ongoing revision) or shorter (rare or unique specimens) periods of time.
  • Not more than one-half of a taxon or locality series may be borrowed at one time.
  • Specimens on loan must be properly stored in a closable cabinet protected from dust, humidity, light, and pests.
  • Loans involving numerous specimens will be shipped as two or more smaller installments, each being forwarded on the safe return of the previous.
  • We expect loans to be returned in similar packaging, and via the same method by which they were sent out.
  • Second-party transactions are not permitted—recipient institutions may not transfer USNM specimens without special written permission.

Specimens categorically unavailable for loan include: type specimens, primates, extinct species, or material being actively studied by our resident staff.

Not more than one-half of a taxon or locality series may be borrowed at one time.

Loans involving numerous specimens will be shipped as two or more smaller installments, each being forwarded on the safe return of the previous.

Dry specimens on loan must be properly stored in a closable cabinet protected from dust, humidity, light, and pests.

Specimens stored in ethanol should only be stored in 70% non-denatured ethanol. Wet specimens are to be kept moist with 70% ethanol at all times during examination.

Specimen examination should be done with care to avoid damage. Please do not force limbs, jaws, etc. into positions that tear muscles or break bones.

We expect loans to be returned in similar packaging, and via the same method by which they were sent out.