Rodent Teeth

[JRose]

Well I've ran into a first.  I've been macerating skulls for a few years, but for some reason my rodent teeth are now coming out of the soak with pitch black teeth...  I have recently increased my maceration temps from 80-90 to 120~.  I don't know if the heat has anything to do with it.  Anyone know of this issue and how to prevent it?  Thanks in advance.

[Matt_S]

I don't know anything about maceration, but I remember the UBER LAZY post made where all the beaver teeth were black.  Seems like they came out fine there.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,125253.0.html

[JRose]

Very interesting!  I suppose a bacteria would make sense, although I am good about changing my bins almost every day.  I've just never had the teeth turn black before.  It may also be because I've recently started macerating 5x more skulls at a time than usual.  I will see how the teeth revert as I degrease them...

[CA Trapper]

How long do your skulls take to fully macerate with daily water changes?

[JRose]

How long do your skulls take to fully macerate with daily water changes?

Depends on my water temp.  If I keep it 120, 4 days even for the big stuff.  80 takes about a week.  I have to keep the water clear cause I do have neighbors that don't enjoy my profitable stench...

[Toxic]

120 is too high for maceration

[JRose]

120 is too high for maceration

The 120-130 range does wonders and does not deteriorate the quality of the skulls.

[Rhasputin]

I agree that 120+ seems high, but I haven't ever tried it, so what can I say!

[JRose]

I have had this hotter system going for three months and don't have a complaint yet!  When I can pull out a wolf in 6 days and start degreasing, I am a happy camper

[Toxic]

120 plus temps and daily water changes is not maceration, its more of slow cooking the meat off. it may be working but its not bacteria doing the work

[Sea Wolf]

120 is too high as above. You are slow cooking it, not macerating really. Some bacteria will survive and I have found that the bacteria that turn teeth and bone black do so in the absence of oxygen. It may not be bacteria at all but a buildup of sulfur compounds. Though, if you are doing daily water changes that would not be the issue.

[JRose]

  I assumed that the maceration process was still at work because I don't have meat or flesh in the water.    If I'm not technically macerating so be it.  The method works quickly and wonderfully.  Using my old method of 80 degree water took several weeks, but I never experienced tooth blackening.  The squirrel skulls I pulled out a few days ago, whose teeth had turned black, are now beginning to regain their orange colour.  I can pull my beavers out today and see how long they take to go back to normal.