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Private Specimen: Shark eggs

Discussion in 'Private Collections & Pets' started by TempestDawn, 30 Sep 2014.

  1. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the wrapping the tenrec, so it doesn't get freezer-burned!
    Better give it to NHM, because plastination of small mammals doesn't look very good, and vets can find specimens for themselves easily...
     
  2. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    Today's arrivals:
    3 Nile crocs
    Frilled lizard, bluetongue, 2 mastigures
    Common & alligator snapping turtles, Russian & spurred tortoises
    Somewhat rattlesnake, king cobra, burmese albino python (skin), blood python.
    And guinea pig!
    Does anyone want to see pics? :D
     
  3. TeaLovingDave

    TeaLovingDave Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    I'd be interested in seeing the Nile skulls ;)
     
  4. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    My largest Nile (1,5 m) is still lying deeply in the freezer under other critters, I have a cleaned Cuban skull about 35 cm.
    Those Niles are smaller ones (50-60 cm), maybe 1 would become a skeleton.
     
  5. LaughingDove

    LaughingDove Well-Known Member

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    This may sound stupid but what are taxidermy animals stuffed with?
    :)
     
  6. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    They're not stuffed nowadays, but the skin is mounted on a sturdy form which replicates the animal's body anatomy. It's usually made of lightweight polymers like polyurethane foam (by casting or carving), or of soft materials (like wood wool) wrapped tightly around the wire frame.

    Stuffing is used by amateurs and looks very bad!
     
  7. stubeanz

    stubeanz Well-Known Member

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    Are these all acquired from ebay like the colugo ? Quite amazing if that's the case. Do you assemble the skeletons yourself?
     
  8. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    No, I got them frozen from a private facility for free :cool:
    And yes, I articulate skeletons myself (wish for some help though, esp. with large snakes).
     
  9. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    A female snowy owl is coming... likely... but she may recover as well :)
    It is from the wild and very weak because of starvation (the owls migrate in search of food to great distances and not all are lucky, some end up in cities)
     
  10. dean

    dean Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    EM where do you keep all these skeletons, and do you look at an animal and think I'd like too see your bones:p?
     
  11. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    There's enough space until I get an elephant or whale (hope it happens eventually)
    'And a flesh side of your skin too'!
    This happened with many animals that I knew and observed alive, it was pleasant to know them closer and not a disturbing experience at all :D
     
  12. stubeanz

    stubeanz Well-Known Member

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    Did you learn this art by yourself or take a course, I have always been sorely tempted to take up taxidermy!
     
  13. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    By myself. There are virtually no courses un Russia (only at some taxidermy studios of Moscow & St. Petersburg).

    The snowy owl is still alive...
     
  14. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    The owl is alive and well, but another snowy owl appeared who wasn't so lucky... it's a female too.
     
  15. Lizard_boy

    Lizard_boy Well-Known Member

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    What the freak is that also I was excited bringing my thick tailed gecko home
     
  16. animal_expert01

    animal_expert01 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Do any of you keep live animals not dead ones?
     
  17. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    Insects (sun beetles, elephant & common rhino beetles, dermestids :) )

    Yesterday recieved 45 juveniles of 4 crocodylian species (gator, Siamese, Nile & Morelet's crocs). NOT alive of course - they bite!
     
  18. animal_expert01

    animal_expert01 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Do people find you find them dead or ... Kill them
     
  19. Elephas Maximus

    Elephas Maximus Well-Known Member

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    They died by themselves, and long ago, just were frozen and waiting to be mounted.
     
  20. animal_expert01

    animal_expert01 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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