Types of Taxidermy Mounts
When you think of taxidermy, it is a picture of animal heads or fish stuck on a wall. In the past the animals appeared to be what they were, dead. The eyes were dull and lifeless, fur dry and shedding. Today taxidermy is a lucrative art form. Technology has expanded this field by increasing the number of mounts and a variety of use.
You will see taxidermy mounts in all areas of daily existence. They are on display in businesses, museums, hotel lobbies, educational institutions, restaurants and homes.
The use of taxidermy mounts in museums
Taxidermy provides the public a glimpse of rare extinct wildlife, fowl and aquatic life forms. This is technology at its best, man made products of materials, paint, polyurethane foam, clay, wood and glass. These tools create a vibrant, beautiful and full of life like replica. The different poses of the replicas are unlimited. Set in a background of its natural habitat, their world becomes real.
Commercial use of taxidermy mounts
Hotels and restaurants use taxidermy mounts to demonstrate their specialty of location or cuisine. For example, hotels in the northwest or ski lodges will display bears, deer, cougars or any native species of their locality. Seafood restaurants will display different fish or aquatic life that they serve as their specialty.
Educational Institution academic use
A rare form of taxidermy is part of the teaching program of Veterinary institutions. The specimen will be in full view on one side with the internal view on the other. A form made of polyurethane foam incorporates the anatomy of each muscle and vein is painted to represent the internal view of the animal. In death or replica, the taxidermy mount assists the survival of their species by educating the future doctors and technicians who will provide the care.
Sportsmen and animal preservationist trophies
Homes of sportsmen display their trophies of the hunt or favorite fishing trips. They will mount the heads of their kill or catch for display on their wall. Preservationist may also display their trophies but thanks to technology, their "trophies" remain free to pursue their lives. These sportsmen capture their prey with a camera. They take the photo to a taxidermist to have replicas of their specimen made. In rare instances, pet owners will have their beloved pet preserved by a taxidermist so they may be with them always.
Miscellaneous use by Specialty Retailers
Businesses that specialize in sportsmen and outdoor gear use taxidermy mounts in humorous ways to emphasize a product. A recent article in a national sports magazine is about one dealer who has raccoons paddling canoes, and enjoying a campsite. The raccoon appears to enjoy is his camp and running the rapids. The next time you see a creation of a taxidermist's talent, take your time and enjoy how realistic the animal appears to be. Excuse me, but did that raccoon just wink at me?