Basics About South Texas Taxidermy

By Marla Mills


In South Texas Taxidermy is classified as an art that entails preparing, mounting and/or stuffing skins of animals for study or display purposes. Vertebrates are mainly utilized than invertebrates since they contain a supportive back-bone, which renders them simpler to work on. This procedure may be performed on all kinds of vertebrate species of creatures comprising amphibians, fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds. An individual whose specialty lies in this art is known as a taxidermist.

Taxidermists can be employed by museums or other related facilities or they can own personal businesses. Such businesses normally serve fishermen, hunter, or amateurs like hobbyists. The art can also be performed to individual customers in their homes. One needs a perfect understanding of sculpture, painting, anatomy, and tanning in order to make a good taxidermist. A group of people with different skills can also come together and form a company.

Taxidermy has a long history and dates as early as 1748 in France. The first existence of the art was birds preserved for natural history cabinets. The various techniques of mounting were discussed by someone called M. B. Stollas in the year 1752. Taxidermy had several pioneers in different countries including Denmark, Germany, and France around the time of discovery.

Clay was utilized for shaping soft components of animals at the invention time of the art. However, this changed because clay made animals heavy when mounted on walls. The age in which this art or process underwent a golden era was during Victorian periods. During that age, wall-mounted animals were a fashionable component of interior designs and decor.

The methods used by taxidermists in their work have improved a lot over time leading to better taxidermic quality and less toxicity. Current methods involve skinning the animal first. The skinning process can be done without opening the interior cavity of the animal. The skinner therefore does not see interior parts or blood from the animal. The skin can then be tanned or sprayed with preserving chemicals depending on its type.

The tanned skin could then be mounted on polyurethane forms or on mannequin produced from wire, wood, or wool. Glass eyes are fixed using clay. Eyes and forms are sold on commercial scale by suppliers worldwide. Taxidermists also carve personal forms that suit their own preferences. All taxidermists target at ensuring that their work-pieces remain attractive and the outcomes resemble living creatures as much as possible.

Anthropomorphic taxidermy is a division that involves displaying or mounting creatures as if they are engaged in some kind of human activity. Some are dressed like humans. Anthropomorphic was mostly common during Victorian and Edwadian ages, although some traces are still present in some areas. Rogue taxidermic art entails creation of mythical and/or creatures that never existed or are extinct. Among the creatures created are unicorns, mermaids, chimeras, dragons, and griffins.

In South Texas Taxidermy is done by the best in the field. The specialists are normally available for hire by individuals. They charge low rates yet provide state of the art services.




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