In the practice of taxidermy, vertebrates are prepared, stuffed and mounted. This style of preservation is done for the purpose of studies or displays. Hunters also do this to show their prized catches as trophies. The practice is done on many species, including amphibians, birds, mammals, fish and reptiles. Bear taxidermy is common, particularly in the United States.
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 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.
Price of these services will differ and be relative to service, providing company and other similar factors. People who are looking for a bear mounting but do not hunt may purchase a piece from a retailer. Mountings of this sort will also differ in price and may be based on the kind of bear, mounting style and retailer.
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 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.
Price of these services will differ and be relative to service, providing company and other similar factors. People who are looking for a bear mounting but do not hunt may purchase a piece from a retailer. Mountings of this sort will also differ in price and may be based on the kind of bear, mounting style and retailer.
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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