I was just wondering if a mink mannakin would work for mounting a domestic ferret. Any info would be appreciated.
Lisa
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Look at the mannikin, thats the way to tell does it resemble the animal? It may take some alteration but it will work.
An animal as small as a ferret would be easy to cast. Just skin him, then freeze the carcass in the position you want, put him in a box full of sand, and bury him up half way. Then mix up some auto bondo and pour over him. Wait for it to set, then lift the whole thing out of the sand, clean it up, spray the carcass and the other half of the mold with Pam, then pour another mix of Bondo on the carcass. When it sets, pop it apart and "Ta Da." You have a mold. Now clean it up with soap and water, drill a 1/2" hole in it, spray it with a good coat of Pam, and fill it with expanding foam through the 1/2 inch hole. Now you have a mannikin the exact size as your carcass that should fit your skin to a T. I usually use some bird wire inserted into the carcass to hold it in the precise position while it freezes. I've done everything up to an otter size this way and it works great. Somewhere in the Breakthrough is an article by Jan Van Hoesen detailing the whole process (better than I did, for sure).
I think Research Mannikins has one 800-826-0654
I believe a mink would be too big. Weasels are closer to a ferrets size. I believe Van Dyke has a form for black footed ferret.