Taxidermy refers to the preparation, stuffing and mounting of animal skins as display or for study purposes. This is most common among vertebrates. Many hunters put these on display as trophies. The process can be done on many species of vertebrate animals, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals. Bear taxidermy is extremely common.
Taxidermist is the title given to the people who do this work. Such individuals may do it recreationally as fishermen, hunters or hobbyists. They might also take it on as a professional career, working for museums and other such businesses. In both instances, they must have working knowledge of animal anatomy, tanning, and painting and sculpting.
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 golden age of this practice was during the Victorian time period. Many hunters were using these as hunting trophies. The pieces were also being implemented into interior design and decor schemes.
Methods employed by taxidermists have gotten better over the years. They are no longer as toxic as they used to be and are of better quality. The initial step in this process is skinning. This is possible without opening up the body cavity. It will depend on the type, but skin is either preserved using special chemicals or tanned. The piece will later be added to a mannequin, which may be made from wool, polyurethane, wood or wire. Clay is used to attach the glass eyes. The objective is to have attractive, natural-looking 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.
The cost of such services will vary depending on the company providing the services, the services requested and other such factors. Those who want a bear piece but are not hunters can purchase these from a variety of retailers. The cost of such mountings will also range considerably and are often relative to the retailer, type of bear and style.
Taxidermy involves stuffing and mounting of animals, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals. Bear taxidermy is popular. Some taxidermists do this work as a hobby and others are paid professionals. The cost of these pieces or services will range. When correctly done, preservation can last for a long time. Preserving animals in this way is a century-old practice and taxidermy was at its peak during the Victorian times.
Taxidermist is the title given to the people who do this work. Such individuals may do it recreationally as fishermen, hunters or hobbyists. They might also take it on as a professional career, working for museums and other such businesses. In both instances, they must have working knowledge of animal anatomy, tanning, and painting and sculpting.
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 golden age of this practice was during the Victorian time period. Many hunters were using these as hunting trophies. The pieces were also being implemented into interior design and decor schemes.
Methods employed by taxidermists have gotten better over the years. They are no longer as toxic as they used to be and are of better quality. The initial step in this process is skinning. This is possible without opening up the body cavity. It will depend on the type, but skin is either preserved using special chemicals or tanned. The piece will later be added to a mannequin, which may be made from wool, polyurethane, wood or wire. Clay is used to attach the glass eyes. The objective is to have attractive, natural-looking 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.
The cost of such services will vary depending on the company providing the services, the services requested and other such factors. Those who want a bear piece but are not hunters can purchase these from a variety of retailers. The cost of such mountings will also range considerably and are often relative to the retailer, type of bear and style.
Taxidermy involves stuffing and mounting of animals, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and mammals. Bear taxidermy is popular. Some taxidermists do this work as a hobby and others are paid professionals. The cost of these pieces or services will range. When correctly done, preservation can last for a long time. Preserving animals in this way is a century-old practice and taxidermy was at its peak during the Victorian times.
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