I'm considering doing a fleming Axis. I don't see any considerable difference in the anatomy of either in this area so I was thinking of using the Meder mouth piece. Any Axis experts out there with a different opinion? Maybe an Axis doesn't even exhibit this behavior, so I don't want to be really off, but I like the idea. This project might turn into a competition piece so I don't want to miss it too bad.
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whitetail parts will probably be OK for Axis deer on a commercial piece but I wouldn't take it to any competitions. The Axis deer is wider in the muzzle and has a more rounded nose but if the Joe Meder nose lines up close it should work. Axis deer and many other mammals do exhibit a Flehmen response whenever they scent sexually significant or pungent type odors. Housecats do it a lot. "Flehmen" is the last name of the animal behavior scientist who first studied the vomeronasal gland. Jacobson later expanded more on specific details, thus the name "Jacobson's gland". Isolating and defining specific animal behavior has been documented in depth by scientists such as B.F.Skinner (laboratory "skinner box") Pavlov (salivating dogs) and more recent studies by Dr.James Kroll. There are far too many names to mention but the ones I listed would be a great to start learning about at any public library. Becoming a good taxidermist goes much deeper than watching a few videos! Find out everything you possibly can about every animal you mount. It will definitely reflect in the quality of your work.