Thursday, November 14, 2013

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.

The taxidermist does not attempt to preserve the entire subject. The skin and often the bones of a creature are used, but the rest is discarded. The usual aim is to present the animal in as lifelike a manner as possible. The first attempts were stiff and unnatural. Birds were among the earliest successes and were featured in many Victorian museums, homes, and exhibitions. Trophy heads became popular, as well as dearly departed pets. That era also saw many hoaxes, such as a 'mermaid' that was a combination of a monkey and a fish.

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.

Fish are often assumed to be the real thing when displayed on a wall, However, the skin of a fish is very fragile, so what you see is often a precise replica done in resin or fiberglass. The spectacular catch itself was probably released or served up for dinner.

One thing to learn by surfing the web is that there are substandard examples of taxidermy. Skill and vision make the difference, as in any other art form. It's important to actually see the mounted animal, if possible. If this isn't feasible, consumers need to check out sources carefully by examining photographs (which can be deceiving), asking questions, and reading customer reviews. Areas which most often reveal flaws include the ears and nose.

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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