I found a coyote corpse at work 2 weeks ago and decided the following monday to preserve the skull. I removed the head from the body and started to ask some of the farm hands about skull preservation. Well, i got plenty of procedures, actually too many, so I just decided for now to bury it in my back yard. The condition of the coyote was in the process of decomposition. Eye sockets empty, some muscle tissue and hair, I would say maybe it had been there a week before i found it via carrion. It still seems well preserved due to our temperature (20-30F). Anyway, my question is WHAT DO I DO NOW? I can't boil or simmer it in the kitchen (roomates would KILL me) nor can I do this outdoors due to city regulations. So, should i leave him in the ground (approx.4" depth) and dig it up in a month and begin the cleaning procedure? ANY techniques or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I really want this skull preserved and looking nice.Time is ticking...........Thanks!
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Put in a couple of black plastic bags with a cup or so of water. When it warms up it will start cleaning. In a few weeks it will be clean enough to take out, wash, degrease, and whiten.
...in the ground, the lil critters will get at it and probably carry off a good majority of the teeth once they fall out, not to mention if a canine finds it, it will probably be totally gone!
If your temps are 20-30 degrees, it's not going to do much of anything besides sit there (or be carried off) until Spring. If you have someplace near your home that you can keep it outside, yet still have access to an electrical plug, my best idea (so your roomates won't hurt you!) is to place it in a bucket of water with an aquarium heater, this way it WILL macerate even in the cold. Let it rot in the water for a few weeks until you can wash all the leftovers off, then take it out to degrease and whiten. Make sure to retrieve all the teeth from the bottom of the bucket!
OR you can send it to me and I'll clean it for you :) $20 plus shipping back to you!
Email me if you have more questions.
Wolfie