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Taxidermy - How To Freeze Dry
Large Animals |
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This taxidermy example is typical for freeze drying life-size mounts
of large animals (mammals) such as the bear. The bear was
shot by a hunter in Ontario, Canada and weighed
approximately 165 pounds. |
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- Natural head positioned on top of manikin to
determine exact points of removal of foam head. Several
other measurements were made also at this time. Manikin
(Touchstone) was cut off at top of neck, behind jaw.
Rest of manikin was left intact.
- Brains were removed and an 8-gauge wire, coiled on
the end for better holding, was inserted into the brain
cavity. Corofoam ( Van Dyke) was mixed and poured into
the cavity. Complete set up in approximately 20 minutes
secured wire permanently. Wire was run down beck of
manikin and secured in the body to hold head in place.
- Size one black silk suture was used to sew up
incisions. (No hidpaste was used. Hide was held in place
by pins and staples until sewn.) Preparation for natural
mouth consisted or propping up tongue and injecting
Injectafil (Northstar) into lips and nose. Preparation
for ears consisted of piercing small holes in ear with a
needle and using screen wire to hold in position.
- Are you sure this is going to fit? Finished mount
was placed inside a 36x66 unit. tight fit! Bear stood
34" from floor to top of head with 1/2" clearance.
- Completed specimen, along with a deer head (horns on)
and miscellaneous turtles, inside freeze-dry unit ready
for lypholization. Temperature was set at -5 degrees F
to -10 degrees F for 4 weeks. total processing time: 10
weeks. ( As with other mounts this size, the ears were
the last to completely freeze-dry.)
- No shrinkage was reported on the finished mount and
excellent retention of natural tongue and mouth..
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