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.
The idea of preserving the parts of an animal has been around for centuries. Egyptian mummies were often buried with embalmed creatures. The process of embalming involves more lifelike, natural poses of specimens, and is not considered the same thing as taxidermy. The eighteenth century was the first occurrence of bird preservation. Clay was used early on as a way to shape the soft body parts of the animal. However, this technique added extra weight to the pieces.
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.
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.
The idea of preserving the parts of an animal has been around for centuries. Egyptian mummies were often buried with embalmed creatures. The process of embalming involves more lifelike, natural poses of specimens, and is not considered the same thing as taxidermy. The eighteenth century was the first occurrence of bird preservation. Clay was used early on as a way to shape the soft body parts of the animal. However, this technique added extra weight to the pieces.
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.
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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