Step-by-Step Squirrel Taxidermy

Taxidermy includes many methods like skinning, stuffing and mounting to give a lifelike effect to dead animals. The word "taxidermy" is formed from two Greek words, "taxis" and "derma." Taxis means movement and derma means skin. Taxidermy works are mainly displayed in museums, educational institutions, restaurants and homes as show piece. The methods to be used for mounting vary based on the species. For performing squirrel taxidermy, skinning and mounting are the two major processes involved.

Things You'll Need

  • Sharp knife
  • Scissors
  • A piece of cord
  • Carbolic acid solution
  • Excelsior
  • Round needle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep the squirrel specimen with the head towards the right. Detach fur over the breast bone. Using a knife, slice the squirrel below the skin. Open the skin neatly by the center of the abdomen. With male squirrels, cut along one side of the testicles. Also slice it on the back of the wrists and inside of ankles.

    • 2

      Split the tail and peel it out. Peel out the feet by breaking the toes at base and leaving them in the skin. Pull back the skin over ankles and wrists. Peel down the tail beginning at tip. Peel the skin from the body through abdominal incision using your thumb nail to loosen it. Cut through the large muscles without puncturing the skin on opposite side. Split hip joints from pelvis by bending hind legs back. Using your thumb, peel back behind the pelvic bone and strip out the tail forcefully.

    • 3

      Peel the body down to shoulders and hang it by tying a cord around its loins. Sever both front legs at the shoulder. Using a knife, peel the skin completely, working close to skull, eyeballs and mouth. Also peel out the legs. Remove the mouth and nose meat using a scissors. Using your finger nail, remove the meat inside the ear.

    • 4

      Remove the skull and pull out the brain and eyeballs. Remove all meat from skull and clean it. Clean the leg bones also. Use few drops of carbolic acid solution to prevent decay. Apply this solution thoroughly on the skin, toes, skull, leg bones and tail. Roll the specimen, wrap it in a paper and cover it with a wet cloth. Lay it over one night to allow the solution to penetrate through the roots of hair.

    • 5

      Wire the skull and leg bones. Wrap the wire in all four legs tightly upon the back of the bones. Wrap the tail wire in cotton to give a more natural look. Stuff the skull with excelsior to form a plump face. Insert the wire skeleton into the skin starting from head and proceeding to tail, feet and then the rest of the body.

    • 6

      Wire the skull and leg bones. Wrap the wire in all four legs tightly upon the back of the bones. Wrap the tail wire in cotton to give a more natural look. Stuff the skull with excelsior to form a plump face. Insert the wire skeleton into the skin starting from head and proceeding to tail, feet and then the rest of the body.