Dwarf Alpaca

[majesticwild]

Hi Guys,

I need some information.  I have been requested to mount a dwarf alpaca.  Its 16 inches high, 29 inches nose to tail.  My question is this.  Does anyone know or have forms for this type of animal.  I haven't been able to find a form for alpacas and was wondering if anyone here has done one before.  I can make a mold of the body, which sounds like the direction I should go, or maybe a good wrapped body.  Any comments would be appreciated.  I have access to all kinds of reference at this persons alpaca farm, so will be going to take a ton of pictures.  Thanks, Mark Couture - Northern Vermont Whitetail Taxidermy School

[mjvaden]

Not trying to be rude.... but how does some one run a school of taxidermy and not know how to tackle a project like this?

[majesticwild]

This is not a normal request and was just wondering if anyone had done one and how they did it.  I am always open to learning more even as an instructor.


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[mjvaden]

If you are able to carve a form I would go that route. freeze it in the pose you are looking for and use that for you reference. you can cut the legs off before the freezing and pose them with the body if you plan on selling the skeleton which there is a market for. I prefer carving to a carcass cast because I can carve a body in about 3 hours and to carcass cast a nice form may take several days to finish a nice manikin.  Wrapping is also a good option just depends on what you are more comfortable with.  If you look back a couple of pages on the "forms with out skins" post you will find a post by Daniel Meng on mounting his snow leopard where he breaks it down step by step.

Good luck with your project...
Mike

[majesticwild]

Thanks Mike,

I can carve and this may be the route I go.  The owner wants the skeleton and the body.  I appreciate your imput and will look up that other post by Daniel Meng.  Thanks for your response.

Mark