I recently finished a batch of bear and wolf skulls, all were processed exactly the same way at the same time. They were cleaned by maceration and maggots, then simmered for about 10 minutes in degreaser and Arm & Hammer Washing Soda to get the remainder off, then placed in degreaser, then into peroxide. After each step they were rinsed with clear, warm water. I've noticed now that they've dried that a few of the skulls have a white residue on them. The only common denominator to this is that it's only the very small, young bear skulls that have this. Can anyone tell me what this might be and the cause? None of the wolf skulls or older bear skulls have this.
Thanks,
Wolfwoman
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I believe the white residue you speak of is actually powder from the peroxide eating the bone. It is common for a skull to "chalk up" from the peroxide eating the bone in delicate areas like the bone near the cheeks and nasal areas.
...that makes sense, but all this powdering is on the top of the skull, and as I said before, only on the smaller, young bear skulls. Seems if it was going to do it, it would be all of them? Also, I'm using 3% peroxide if that makes a difference.
Wolfwoman
And it IS bone tissue being dissolved. Young bears skulls aren't as "hard" as the older bears and are more susceptible to this. Just watch your "simmering" very closely and keep strict time limits before removing. I "forgot" one once and when I went back, the skull looked as if termites had eaten it.
If you macerated the skulls properly, you should not need to use the simmering with sal soda step, just go to an ammonia soak to remove smell and sterilize the skull, followed by peroxide soak.
I would not guarentee the white was from the sal soda though. Sometimes during maceration there is a white substance that gets deposited on the outside of the bone. I notice it more often on very fat skulls - certain bacteria have difficulty beaking down the fats in skulls, or change it such that the white is deposited on the skulls. Chemicals won't break it down well, I usually use a wire brush or tripple-ought steel wool to get it off.
Gotta bust your chops occasionally. You're getting too far ahead if I don't. LOL. And if "aught" can mean "zero", why does "naught" mean "zero"? Are we talking double negative here? Where's Conley?
Can do that too :)
I macerated properly. I mainly simmer for a few minutes with washing soda to get the stink out, as IMHO ammonia smells worse than rotting skulls!
George,
Luckily there are no termite holes, just the powder. Maybe I won't do the smaller skulls that way anymore.
Thanks to all!
Wolfie