Victor Forge
Taxidermy is the traditional method of preserving and mounting vertebrate animals for display or study. It involves arranging an animal's real skin over a fake body to make the animal appear lifelike. While muscles and organs will rot and need to be disposed of, the skin is preserved and mounted over an armature. The process of creating a mould for the fake body involves carving in muscles and veins to make the animal look as lifelike as possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The art or science of preserving an animal's body by mounting (over an armature) or stuffing, for the purpose of display or study |
| Process | Preparing, stuffing and/or mounting an animal for display or study |
| Materials | Skin, form, thread, glue, false eyes, teeth, cotton, wire, silicon, polyurethane, wood wool, salt |
| Skills | Familiarity with anatomy, sculpture, painting, drawing, tanning |
| Practice | Can be done by professionals or amateurs (hobbyists) |
| Purpose | Display, study, hunting trophies, commemoration of pets, recording of species |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the skin
Skinning:
Start by carefully skinning around the horn or antler of the animal. Then, begin to separate the skin from the muscle, working your way towards the ear. It is important to cut off the ear butt as close to the skull as possible. One technique is to insert a finger into the ear canal towards the skull and use your opposite hand to feel where your finger is, cutting through accordingly. Be extremely cautious to avoid cutting yourself.
Removing the Head:
As you reach the eye sockets, take as much surrounding tissue as possible. Flip the cape back and be mindful of the eye lids. Cut downwards just in front of the inner corner of the eye, as there is a gland located there. Next, turn your attention to the mouth and nose. Open the mouth and cut along the gum line, leaving plenty of the inner lip.
Preserving the Skin:
Scrape away any remaining flesh, fat, and tissue from the skin. This step is crucial, as any remaining organic matter will rot over time. You can use a sharp blade or a skinning knife for this process, ensuring clean cuts. Then, preserve the skin with salt, borax, glycerin, or cedar dust, depending on the species. Salt will help draw out moisture and prevent bacterial growth, which can cause hair slippage and discolouration.
Final Preparations:
Before mounting, ensure that the skin is completely dry. You can use a fan or leave it to air-dry naturally. Once dry, the skin is ready to be placed on the form or mannequin. Adjust any structural issues, and sew up the skin using thread that matches the colour of the animal's natural fur or skin.
Remember, it is always recommended to seek professional help or guidance when attempting taxidermy.
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Muscle measurements
Taking Measurements:
When preparing a specimen, such as a Brushtail Possum, the first step is to carefully remove the skin from the body. This step allows taxidermists to take precise measurements of the original flesh and muscle areas. These measurements serve as a reference for creating artificial body parts that match the size of the original muscles. It is important to accurately measure the length, width, and depth of each muscle group to ensure a realistic recreation.
Recreating Muscle Structure:
After taking measurements, the taxidermist can begin to recreate the muscle structure using various materials. In the past, clay was used to shape soft parts, but it made the specimens heavy. Nowadays, materials like cotton, wood wool, and coconut fibre are commonly used to build the body shape and mimic muscle structure. Wire is also inserted to function as bones and ligaments, providing internal support and helping to hold the structure together.
Adding Muscle Details:
To enhance the realism of the taxidermy, attention to detail is essential. Small bits of string or newspaper can be cut and stuffed into spots to create muscle striations and other intricate details. This technique adds texture and definition to the muscles, making them appear more lifelike. The skin is then carefully sewn onto the form, using a thread colour that matches the animal's skin or fur to create an invisible stitch.
Posing and Display:
Once the muscle structure and skin are in place, the taxidermist can pose the specimen in a natural position. This step involves arranging the animal in a way that mimics its natural behaviour or posture. For example, a possum might be attached to a branch, recreating its natural habitat. The final step is to put the taxidermy on display, often in a museum or as a hunting trophy.
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Creating artificial body parts
Measurements and Moulding:
Begin by taking detailed measurements of the animal's original flesh and muscle areas. This step ensures that the artificial body parts are accurately sized and proportional. Use these measurements to create a mould of the animal's body, specifically the head and skull. Silicone is commonly used for moulding the head, capturing intricate details.
Casting the Artificial Head:
Once the mould is ready, it's time to cast the artificial head using materials like polyurethane. Insert a wire into the cast skull to add structure and support. The wire acts as an internal skeleton, mimicking the bones and ligaments of the animal. This step ensures the stability and poseability of the final taxidermy mount.
Body Shape Creation:
The body shape is crafted using natural fibres such as coconut fibre and wood wool. The choice of materials ensures a natural appearance and provides a sturdy base for the skin to be attached. The artificial head is then securely attached to the body, using materials like cotton to reinforce the connection.
Muscle and Vein Details:
To enhance the realism of the artificial body, taxidermists often add details like muscle striations and veins. This can be achieved by using various techniques and materials. For instance, small pieces of twine, string, or newspaper can be cut and stuffed into areas needing adjustment. This adds volume and definition to the artificial muscles.
Sewing and Finishing Touches:
After the artificial body parts are assembled, the real skin of the animal is carefully sewn onto the form. Taxidermists use thread colours that match the skin to create tight and invisible stitches. Finally, the taxidermy creation is adorned with artificial eyes and original teeth, which are glued in place. The pose and display of the mounted animal are carefully considered to achieve the desired effect, whether it's a peaceful nap pose for a beloved pet or a fierce stance for a hunting trophy.
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Sewing the skin onto the form
To begin sewing the skin onto the form, you must first choose the appropriate mounting form. This form should be tailored to the specific dimensions and posture of the animal. Once you have the mounting form, you will shape and position the prepared hide onto it, ensuring a snug fit and natural posture. This step requires a careful manipulation of the hide to accurately recreate the animal's musculature and contours.
When sewing the skin onto the form, it is important to use the right type of needle and thread. Taxidermy sewing needles are designed to be thin and sharp, allowing for delicate stitching without causing damage to the hide. For thick-skinned animals, a sharp tri-sided leather needle with three blades is recommended. The whip-stitch technique is commonly used, as it helps lay the hair flat when mounting the animal. For tough hides, artificial sinew, a strong and durable thread made from waxed nylon, is the best choice for sewing thick-skinned animals.
As you sew, it is crucial to maintain even tension throughout and ensure that the hide is secure and held firmly in place. Remember to protect your fingertips by wearing a thimble, which will prevent accidental pricks and enhance your sewing precision.
Finally, once the sewing is complete, you will need to make any final adjustments to ensure the taxidermy mount looks natural. This may include smoothing out any lumps or irregularities and making sure the hide is tight and secure.
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Displaying the taxidermy
Displaying your taxidermy is the culmination of all your efforts. The purpose of taxidermy is to create lifelike representations of animals for display or study. The final mount can be used for educational and research purposes in museums and educational institutions.
The process of taxidermy was popularized during the Victorian era when mounted animals became a part of interior design and decor. It was also used by pet owners to 'resurrect' their deceased pets. During this time, a style known as anthropomorphic taxidermy became popular, where mounted animals were dressed as people or displayed as if engaged in human activities.
Today, taxidermy is still used for decorative purposes, as well as for hunting trophies and natural history museum displays. The display of your taxidermy will depend on your intended purpose and personal preferences. You can choose to display your creation in a glass case, on a wall mount, or as part of a diorama, which depicts animals in their natural habitats.
When displaying your taxidermy, consider the impact of your work on animals, the environment, and society as a whole. Taxidermy can evoke strong emotions and ethical considerations, so it is important to be mindful of how your work may be perceived by others. Additionally, consider the educational value of your display and how it can be used to teach others about animal anatomy, behavior, and ecology.
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Frequently asked questions
Taxidermy is the traditional method of preserving and mounting vertebrate animals for display. It involves arranging an animal's real skin over a fake body to make the animal look alive.
The process of taxidermy involves removing the animal's skin and taking measurements of the original flesh and muscle areas. Artificial body parts are then created using various fibres such as cotton or polyurethane foam. The skin is then mounted onto the artificial body and sewn together using thread that matches the colour of the skin.
No, for taxidermy, only the skin of the animal is needed. Muscles and organs will rot and need to be disposed of.
There are many free resources available online to get started in taxidermy. Additionally, you can look into different classes in your area or opt for an online course to learn the basics of the process.
Some common tools and materials used in taxidermy include twine, string, newspaper, thread, glue, artificial eyes, and teeth. Moulds are also created using materials such as silicon, polyurethane, wire, coconut fibre, and wood wool.
