Finding High Quality Taxidermy Animals For Sale

By Bonnie Contreras


If you're interested in taxidermy animals for sale either locally or online, it's a good idea to learn about the subject. The 'art' of preserving mammals, reptiles, and amphibians has been practiced throughout human history, and there have always been good and bad examples of it. You won't want to spend good money on something that will disappoint, so know what to ask, look for, and expect before you begin.

Embalming before entombment was used for both human and animal bodies by the Egyptians. However, taxidermists are doing an entirely different process, trying to preserve the appearance of the animal rather than the entire body. Later, scientists wanted to bring new discoveries home in as correct a manner as possible for further study. The first how-to books for future taxidermists were published during the seventeen hundreds.

A taxidermist uses only the skin and bones of an animal, discarding the rest. First attempts to present a lifelike animal specimen were unsuccessful, but ornithologists discovered how to retain the effect of a living bird. During Victorian times, exhibitions of exotic creatures were popular, as were hybrids (combinations of body parts from different specimens) and freaks created by those with less scientific motives. The sentimental Victorians began to 'save' dearly departed pets, while sportsmen and explorers brought back trophy heads for their walls.

Improved techniques and materials helped early twentieth-century taxidermists bring this craft to an art form. Their method of stretching a skin over a padded wire form is used today, as well as more modern polyurethane shapes. Truly realistic specimens of snarling cougars, rampaging elephants, and birds of prey can be seen at natural history museums and roadside exhibits. Glass eyes and replicas of fragile body parts help make the illusion convincing.

The spectacular swordfish or record-breaking Rainbow trout you see on display appear to be real. However, the fragility of fish skin has made it more feasible to take precise measurements and recreate the actual catch in resin or fiberglass. The models are carefully painted to match the vibrant colors of life, while the actual fish was either released back into the wild or enjoyed as an entree.

To do the job well requires skill, painstaking attention to detail, and the right tools and materials. It's helpful to inspect the actual object before buying. Look carefully at the places where flaws often show, like the eyes, ears, and nose. If selecting from photographs(which can be deceiving), it's important to check customer reviews and contact them if possible. Ask for a satisfaction guarantee, and know the process that would be involved to get your investment back if paying online.

There are many attractive sites online, with vivid photographs of red foxes, black bears, bobcats, and more. Even though you won't be buying based on photos alone, the galleries are fun to visit to see what's available. You might be picturing a wild animal in a hunting pose but find that you prefer one at rest or play.

Taxidermy animals for sale can give you the perfect finishing touch for a man cave or an attention-grabbing display for a bar or restaurant. They can be much more effective than a neon sign or vintage license plate. You might even want a fanciful creature like a Jackalope or a unicorn that looks as real as life.




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