O.k. first of all I'm a beginner that's why I'm asking this question in the beginners forum and my question is about the bever ( the Castor type) to make my self clear.
My brother gave me a beaver he trapped to mount for my own display. I have chosen a closed mouth form ( letter F on page 94 in the Van Dykes catalog). Even though it is a closed mouth form do I still need to get teeth for it, it seems every beaver I have ever seen you can still see his teeth, even just a little bit when his mouth is closed.
If so what is the best way to install them and blend them in with the lip skin. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Usually show their teeth all the time, I use the animals own teeth. I remove them from the skull root and all. then with a dermal tool I make holes into the form for the root to go into. I insert the teeth, making sure they sit at the proper angle. then epoxy them in place. When I mount the hide I tuck the lips into the lip crease. And around the teeth in a natural manor.
If your making your own head form then you could cut the teeth out and hot glue em to the styrofoam or use epoxie.or use original skull.The answer is yes they do show when mouth is closed
I just completed my first beaver mount. It was a closed mouth, but I had to show the teeth anyhow. Instead of going through the hassle of pulling teeth (which may split anyways) I made mine out of all game. You see so little of the teeth that I saw no reason to make more work than I already had. I simply kneaded a fingernail sized ball of all game and sculpted two small teeth. I used a wet paintbrush to smooth them out and painted an orange/ sienna glaze over them. After it dried I touched it up with some clear spray... and TADA! You have beaver teeth in less than 5 minutes and they look real and you know that they will never crack. Good luck!
-Jeanette
Van Dykes sell them for a few bucks and they are VERY REALISTIC. They will look a lot better than homemade ones and you don't have to mess with cutting them out of the skull and cleaning them. Gomer
John S, I've made the teeth like Jeanette but usually use the real teeth like Tenbears said- but for me I find it better to drill out the area for the teeth in the mouth allowing extra room for adjustment. I then mount the critter and AFTER it's mounted I install the teeth. This way I can show just the amount of teeth I want without mis-guessing how much the lips will hide. I do this with squirrels too. Enjoy, Aaron H.
I was wondering if real teeth are always used, or not?