Friday, September 27, 2013

Things To Know About South Texas Taxidermy

By Marla Mills


In South Texas Taxidermy is an art that involves preparing, stuffing, and/or mounting skins of creatures for purposes of study or display. Vertebrates are majorly used than invertebrates because they contain a supportive backbone, which renders them easier to work on. This process may be done to all forms of vertebrate strains of creatures including birds, amphibians, fish, mammals, and reptiles. A person whose specialty is in this art is referred to as a taxidermist.

Taxidermists are employed in museums and related institutions or they could start personal companies. Such businesses serve hunters, amateurs like hobbyists, or fishermen. The art could also be provided as a service to individual clients in residences. One needs to have knowledge in painting, tanning, sculpture, and anatomy to be a perfect taxidermist. A team of individuals with various skills can come together and form a company.

Taxidermy has a lengthy history and dates as back as 1748 in France. The very first existence of this art was birds conserved for natural history cabinets. Techniques of mounting were elaborately discussed in 1752 by somebody called M. B. Stollas. Taxidermy had many pioneers in different states including Denmark, France, and Germany around the era of discovery.

At the time of invention of the art, clay was utilized in shaping soft parts of animals. However, this was changed because it made animals to be very heavy when installed on walls. The era in which the art or process of taxidermy underwent a golden age was during Victorian times. During that age, mounted animals were a popular component of decor and home interior designs.

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 skins could then be mounted onto polyurethane forms or mannequins produced from wood, wool, or wires. Glass eyes are fitted using clay. Eyes and/or forms can be purchased on commercial scale from various suppliers internationally. Taxidermists also carve individual forms that match their own needs. All taxidermists target at making sure that their creations remain attractive and outcomes resemble real living creatures as much as possible.

Anthropomorphic taxidermy is a division where mounted creatures get displayed as if they are involved in some human activity. Some individuals dress them like humans. This design was most common during Edwadian and Victorian ages, although they are still available in some locations. Rogue taxidermic art involves creation of mythical and/or animals that are extinct or never existed. Some of the creatures created include chimeras, dragons, unicorns, mermaids, and griffins.

In South Texas Taxidermy is carried out by the best experts in this field of specialty. The experts are usually present for hiring by members of the public. They demand reasonable rates yet supply state of the art commodities and services.




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