[InfraRed]

I suspect that which most people believe to be mercury is actually a gallium/indium/tin alloy. It's the stuff used in most "mercury" switches, such as those in old fashioned thermostats.

Here's some folks selling a "liquid metal alloy" which is most likely the same stuff:

Liquid Metal Alloy
"A non-toxic liquid metal to use instead of mercury. This alloy is liquid down to -20° C (-4° F). It can coat objects to make them conductive. It can coat glass to make mirrors. It can make low friction electrical connections."

Disclaimer: I have no connection with the linked site, whatsoever.

[Red Badger]

The mercury I played with as a child was from batteries and thermometers............the real thing.........BTW, mercury is very heavy. I had a coffee can full of it in a place where I once worked. It was like being full of lead.........