Michigan Massasauga mounting advice

[wolverine]

Hi

I have a steady account with a local nature center . I received a Massasauga rattler from them and am new to reptiles.
I would like some input on the best reference material to get that will cover the entire process(video / books)
to do the mount for them .

Thanks Doug

[Evelyn Billington (Superpig)]

The Breakthrough reptile mannual is one of the best books out there. It'll guide you through all the steps needed.

On another note, it sounds like you have not mounted a snake before. Why are you taking in work from a Nature Center? Do those folks know about your inexperience with reptiles? You should not be practising your reptile mounting skills on customer mounts. It's not meant to be condensending, just trying to give you some advice.

[wolverine]

Thanks for your concern of MY customer  Evelyn.
FYI I have been a professional taxidermist for 15 years with multiple state and national awards in mammals and fish.
Here in Michigan we just don't do snakes . and yes they know that . Thats why I have the job .
I own all the breakthrough manuals ( bought when I started out and before I went to school)
What I was looking for was some input on some reference or videos madethat can be applied to this specimen .

Thanks

[Evelyn Billington (Superpig)]

So what if you have all that experience with mammals and fish, still makes you a BEGINNER for reptiles. I don't do fish even though I have national awards for my mammals and reptiles. That makes me a beginner for fish if I would get started on them. I sure would not do the very first fish attempt for a Nature Center or any client for that matter. But I guess, since they know you have not done any snakes, and that's why they gave you the job they don't expect much.

Ben Haden has a rattlesnake mounting video you may check out.

[Old Fart]

I have to agree with Superpig. Find someone to wholesale it to and have it done CORRECTLY.  Your name will be on it anyway and you'll get the credit.   Do it yourself and you'll get the BLAME. I don't do snakes either, for the very same reason, I have absolutely no experience with them. I too, have BLUE ribbons from State, National and World for my fish, but that doesn't make me a snake taxidermist.