Last Updated on November 10, 2022 by
Taxidermy is an art form that may seem old but is still active, creative, and better than ever. To create flawless taxidermy mounts you need skill, passion, and the right tools.
If you’re a beginner looking to get into taxidermy, or if you’ve been doing it for a while and simply want to upgrade your tools, these are the taxidermy supplies that are essential for getting the job done right.
Nitrile gloves
Before you even think about working on the animal, you need to worry about yourself. Gloves are essential for keeping yourself clean and healthy when working on taxidermy projects.
While everyone has their own favorite type of gloves, nitrile gloves are commonly recognized as the best for taxidermy. They fit great, and unlike latex, they don’t absorb smells as easily, so you can use them longer without a bad scent. We recommend getting blue gloves or another bright color to make it easier to spot your hands when using tools.
Borax
This is one of the most important tools to have in your arsenal for a clean, magnificent mounts. You’ll use this throughout the process to help preserve your taxidermy mounts.
This detergent booster and household cleaner not only keeps the bugs away during the skinning process, but also helps to dry the fur of the hides. It draws out moisture during the process and can be added just before mounting to keep your specimen expertly preserved.
Butcher paper (or newspaper)
Whether you’re cleaning and skinning your animals in the garage, outside, or in your own kitchen, you’re going to want to keep things as clean as possible.
Butcher paper is the best way to cover your surface area, as it doesn’t stick to the animal (hence why butchers use it) but that’s not always easy to come by. For a quick solution, simply use newspaper, just be careful that it doesn’t leave residue on the hide, and make sure to replace as necessary.
Read More: 5 tips to design paper boxes packaging
Scalpels
A good set of scalpels is absolutely essential for creating beautiful taxidermy. A nice sharp scalpel can make or break a project.
Scalpels come in different sizes and sharpness levels, which is why it’s good to get a set or at least a few different ones. You’ll want different scalpels for skinning large animals than you will for small animals or for finer details.
The mounts
If you create a beautiful piece of art from an animal, bringing it back to life, you want to display it. That’s where the mounts come in.
Taxidermy mounts come in many different styles and sizes depending upon the animals, and where you want to display them.
More taxidermy supplies other than mounts
While these taxidermy supplies are essential for any great work of art, there are plenty of other supplies that are helpful.
Aprons and safety glasses are great for keeping yourself clean and safe. Scissors are great for helping with finer details or cutting through small bones.
Once these tools are in your arsenal, there’s nothing stopping you from creating flawless mounts. Start your taxidermy dreams today, and keep reading for more interesting articles!
