How to Clean a Stuffed Taxidermy Animal
By preserving an animal from a hunting adventure or using a museum specimen, you can engage in a very fulfilling skill known as tiny game taxidermy. First you have to acknowledge that this is an art and you will have to look out for photos so as to be able to create a replica of the body of the animal you want. When done with patience you will have an animal that looks very real.
- Using scissors, cut the animal from the neck all the way to the tail base. With the use of your fingers or a scalpel try and separate the flesh and the skin. Use corn starch to drain any blood.
- Use a fleshing tool to extract as much flesh as possible. Clean the skin using hot water and soap as a way to remove fat, blood and dirt. Use a towel or hair dryer to dry the skin.
- Create holes on boards for mounting the legs. This should be done before you place the skin on the mould. Secure the legs with bolts and nuts.
- Close the mouth by sewing it from the inner part of the skin. Start from the middle and sew towards the sides so that you don’t end up with a mouth that is lopsided.
- Make a hole on every footpad. This is so as to allow the bolts to pass through.
- Place the skin into the mould in a fitting way. The mould is a rough sketch you will use to create the design of the animal. Cut the tail wire to the desired size and then cover the body with cotton. Place the ear liners so as to keep the ears in shape. Then place clay on the feet and mould with the skin. The taxidermy on the mould should be secure on the mounting boards.
- Use a needle and inject the footpads, lips and nose with a preservative to avoid any shrinkage. Then adjust the animal so that it stands in the required position so that it looks real after the taxidermy.