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.
The preservation of animal parts is not exactly a new process. In fact, embalmed creatures were found in tombs alongside Egyptian mummies. There is some difference between taxidermy and embalming, which involves animals posed in more lifelike ways. It was during the 1700s that the initial preservation of birds was done for the inclusion in history cabinets. In the past, clay was employed to shape the soft parts of the body, but this method added unwanted weight to specimens.
The peak of this process came during the Victorian era. It was during this time that there were more hunters and these pieces were collected as hunting trophies. They were also being used as decor for interior design projects.
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.
Preparation may be different depending on the animal. Often the entire body of a bear is preserved in this way, while other animals may only have their head mounted. Most of the time professionals are called on when the animal is large. If people cannot get the body of the animal to the taxidermist quickly, they must freeze the hide so that it stays intact until it can be 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.
The preservation of animal parts is not exactly a new process. In fact, embalmed creatures were found in tombs alongside Egyptian mummies. There is some difference between taxidermy and embalming, which involves animals posed in more lifelike ways. It was during the 1700s that the initial preservation of birds was done for the inclusion in history cabinets. In the past, clay was employed to shape the soft parts of the body, but this method added unwanted weight to specimens.
The peak of this process came during the Victorian era. It was during this time that there were more hunters and these pieces were collected as hunting trophies. They were also being used as decor for interior design projects.
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.
Preparation may be different depending on the animal. Often the entire body of a bear is preserved in this way, while other animals may only have their head mounted. Most of the time professionals are called on when the animal is large. If people cannot get the body of the animal to the taxidermist quickly, they must freeze the hide so that it stays intact until it can be 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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