Submitted by Rattus on 3/26/99. ( markP@eoni.com )
I recently found a baby cougar that died of pneumonia. It was only about 4 weeks old, and had only been dead for a day in the snow. I have not done a lifesize yet, so I have a couple questions. 1) where can I get eyes for this mount? 2) should I cast a form from the carcass? 3) should I use a commercial tannery for such a small and delicate skin? and 4) I'd like ideas for poses and habitat. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
This response submitted by Bob C on 3/26/99. ( bobswildlife@webtv.net )
If I were you I would probably cast the body and tan the skin myself. As Far as the eyes go , you can call Tohickon Glass eyes and ask for Paul, and he will set you up with what you need. Bob C
This response submitted by John Bellucci on 3/26/99. ( ArtistExpr@aol.com )
Hi Rattus,
Bobs' info was right on the money. Allow me now to elaborate a bit on the tanning aspect for the skin.
Having done several infant big cats, as well as very young squirrels and such, I can recommend the process that has been successful for me.
First off, you will need to wear a good quality pair of latex examination gloves. It will serve two purposes. First, it will protect you from whatever disease that might have taken this youngsters life. Even though you found it dead in the snow, a healthy cougar kitten might have survived if it had not been ill -- its' mother would have made sure to find it and care for it. Possibly.
Secondly, the gloves will reduce the amount of transferred body heat from your hands to the kittens skin, which, if allowed, would be the first step toward the buildup of skin-harming bacteria.
Also during skinning, the application of your non-iodized salt will begin the process of skin preservation, by drawing the moisture from the skin -- tightening those skin fibers and any possible loose fur.
After skinning, fully and CAREFULLY split all features that require such: eyelids, nostrils, and lips, and turn those little ears. Salt the hide thoroughly, getting salt into ALL areas of the skin, then fold it lengthwise and allow it to drain of fluids on a slanting surface -- tail pointing downward. Repeat the salting step one more time, if not twice-more.
I can wholeheartedly recommend that you go with a Citric Acid pickle as your next step. Refer to the tanning category for the formulas. For the tan, I recommend using the Lutan-F system. Again, refer to the tanning category for formulas here.
There is very little fleshing needed to be done on these youngest of specimens. The most will be in the facial region, of course.
Now, for extremely detailed information on the process of skinning, preserving, carcass casting, and mounting of an infant big cat, you will find all this information in its own chapter in the soon-to-be-released "Breakthrough - Art of The Big Cat - Manual". I am told it will be available at the World Show.
If you are in no great rush to mount this little one, and want full instructions on how to do one, this book will be well worth the wait. I highly recommend it.
Good luck to you. Regards... John Bellucci
This response submitted by Rattus on 3/28/99. ( )
Thanks a bunch for the advice. I was pleased that John saw my post and responded as I will be referring to some of his Breakthrough articles for this mount. I've read the "Big Heads, Little Bodies" article and another about casting a prairie dog body (don't remember the author of that one). I assume casting the body would be done as described with the prairie dog example? I'll be keeping an eye out for the Big Cats book.