Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Basic Fundamentals About South Texas Taxidermy

By Marla Mills


In South Texas Taxidermy refers to the art of preparing, mounting, and stuffing skins of animals for purposes of display or study. Vertebrates are mostly used than the invertebrates because they have the supportive backbone, which makes them easier to work with. This process can be done to all kinds of vertebrate strains of animals including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals. A person who specializes in this art is called 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.

Clay was utilized for shaping soft components of animals at the invention time of the art. However, this changed because clay made animals heavy when mounted on walls. The age in which this art or process underwent a golden era was during Victorian periods. During that age, wall-mounted animals were a fashionable component of interior designs and decor.

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 skin could then be mounted on polyurethane forms or on mannequin produced from wire, wood, or wool. Glass eyes are fixed using clay. Eyes and forms are sold on commercial scale by suppliers worldwide. Taxidermists also carve personal forms that suit their own preferences. All taxidermists target at ensuring that their work-pieces remain attractive and the outcomes resemble living creatures as much as possible.

Anthropomorphic taxidermy is a division that involves displaying or mounting creatures as if they are engaged in some kind of human activity. Some are dressed like humans. Anthropomorphic was mostly common during Victorian and Edwadian ages, although some traces are still present in some areas. Rogue taxidermic art entails creation of mythical and/or creatures that never existed or are extinct. Among the creatures created are unicorns, mermaids, chimeras, dragons, and griffins.

In South Texas Taxidermy is performed by the best practitioners in this field. The professionals are usually available for hiring by individuals. They demand low rates yet offer state of the art products and services.




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