Found large bird skull

Submitted by Katy on 3/21/05 at 10:26 AM. ( kasweaver@gmail.com ) 68.59.101.124

My husband found a large bird skull during an extreme low tide which is in very good shape (no fractures, missing pieces) and has been picked clean by.. something. It has a crest 'fin' of bone and is, oh, about half a foot long. Considering our local fauna (northwest Florida), it is probably a pelican or a heron. I would like to sanitize and preserve it to keep on a bookshelf or something like that.

I have two questions:
1. How/where can I found out if it is illegal for me to own the skull? I know there are laws governing stuff like this, but my web searching has turned up a lot of dead ends.

2. I read (on this site!) that I can use H2O2 to sanitize, possibly preceeded by ammonia. Will either of these harm the delicate bone structures? Should I take any additional steps to preserve the skull?

I really appreciate any help you guys can provide! :)

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Wouldn't it be nice...

This response submitted by Junipera on 3/21/05 at 12:18 PM. ( ) 66.66.1.216

but alas, no you cannot harvest these things.
Maybe you can donate it to a local Nature Center or Museum. Otherwise, throw it back.


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This response submitted by Wannabe Taxidermist on 3/23/05 at 1:42 PM. ( ) 66.213.117.100

if you realy want to keep it than you can get a liceince (im a bad speller).I know that in Ohio than you cant even have song bird feathers.


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