Taxidermy is used when referring to the processes that go into preserving animal skins for the purpose of display or studies. This preparation, stuffing and mounting is primarily done on vertebrates. A lot of hunters use this as a trophy of their catches. The process is performed on many vertebrate species, including fish, mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians. Bear taxidermy is quite popular, especially among Americans.
The person who practices this is known as a taxidermist. These individuals may do the work on a professional level for businesses or museums, or as hobbyists, fishermen and hunters. People who do this should be familiarized with anatomy, painting and sculpture, and tanning.
Preservation of animal skins is nothing new. In fact, embalmed animals were present in tombs with Egyptian mummies. The embalming process is separate from taxidermy. It usually puts the animals in lifelike poses. The 1700s saw the earliest form of preservation of birds for placement in natural history cabinets. Historically, clay was used for the purpose of shaping soft parts of the animal, but this technique made the specimens weigh more.
The Victorian era is considered the golden age of this practice. Many hunters posted the animals on display as hunting trophies. This was also the period in which animals were being mounted for decor and interior design purposes.
Techniques of taxidermists have improved with time. The quality of these pieces has increased and the toxicity decreased. The first step in the process is skinning of the animal. This can be done without the body cavity being opened. Chemicals that preserve may be placed on certain skin types and in other cases the skin is tanned. Then the piece is mounted on a mannequin made from wire, wood, polyurethane form or wool. Clay is used to put in glass eyes. The goal in this process is to maintain lifelike, attractive results.
This process varies based on the species. Often the entire body of a bear is preserved, while other animals may just have their heads salvaged. Generally, professionals are recruited to do jobs that involve preserving extremely large animals. If people are unable to get the animal to a professional taxidermist promptly, the hide should be frozen to preserve it until it is mounted.
Prices of this type of service will range. Often it is relative to the services request and company doing the work. Non-hunters who are looking for a mounting of a bear can purchase one from the numerous retailers who sell taxidermy pieces. These come at different price points that may be based on the style of mounting, bear type and seller.
Taxidermy refers to the stuffing and mounting of various vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fish and birds. Bear taxidermy is quite popular, especially in the United States. There are taxidermists who do this work as a professional career and also those who engage in the practice as part of a hobby. Prices for these services or pieces are known to range. When done properly, this preservation process will last for long periods of time. The concept of preserving animals has been around for hundreds of years and the Victorian era marked the golden age of taxidermy.
The person who practices this is known as a taxidermist. These individuals may do the work on a professional level for businesses or museums, or as hobbyists, fishermen and hunters. People who do this should be familiarized with anatomy, painting and sculpture, and tanning.
Preservation of animal skins is nothing new. In fact, embalmed animals were present in tombs with Egyptian mummies. The embalming process is separate from taxidermy. It usually puts the animals in lifelike poses. The 1700s saw the earliest form of preservation of birds for placement in natural history cabinets. Historically, clay was used for the purpose of shaping soft parts of the animal, but this technique made the specimens weigh more.
The Victorian era is considered the golden age of this practice. Many hunters posted the animals on display as hunting trophies. This was also the period in which animals were being mounted for decor and interior design purposes.
Techniques of taxidermists have improved with time. The quality of these pieces has increased and the toxicity decreased. The first step in the process is skinning of the animal. This can be done without the body cavity being opened. Chemicals that preserve may be placed on certain skin types and in other cases the skin is tanned. Then the piece is mounted on a mannequin made from wire, wood, polyurethane form or wool. Clay is used to put in glass eyes. The goal in this process is to maintain lifelike, attractive results.
This process varies based on the species. Often the entire body of a bear is preserved, while other animals may just have their heads salvaged. Generally, professionals are recruited to do jobs that involve preserving extremely large animals. If people are unable to get the animal to a professional taxidermist promptly, the hide should be frozen to preserve it until it is mounted.
Prices of this type of service will range. Often it is relative to the services request and company doing the work. Non-hunters who are looking for a mounting of a bear can purchase one from the numerous retailers who sell taxidermy pieces. These come at different price points that may be based on the style of mounting, bear type and seller.
Taxidermy refers to the stuffing and mounting of various vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fish and birds. Bear taxidermy is quite popular, especially in the United States. There are taxidermists who do this work as a professional career and also those who engage in the practice as part of a hobby. Prices for these services or pieces are known to range. When done properly, this preservation process will last for long periods of time. The concept of preserving animals has been around for hundreds of years and the Victorian era marked the golden age of taxidermy.
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