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Discussion in 'Reptile Taxidermy' started by Skinscraper86, Mar 2, 2023.

  1. Mar 2, 2023 #1
    Skinscraper86

    Skinscraper86 New Member

    6
    5
    Florida
    Hi all- I’m very new to the preservation process of lizard heads. I work for an alligator processing facility here in central Florida and my boss is giving me several heads to try and fix. A few I’m doing European style, the others I’m wanting to preserve with the standard mouth open pose. I’m fine with the European mounts, but where I’m lost is how to even begin with the others, skin on, marble eyes, etc. The one I’m doing first is from an 11.7 foot dinosaur. Do I remove the eyes and add marbles before I soak in formalin? Is removing the pallet and jaw bones necessary or is drilling holes an option? Do I fix the mouth open when it’s soaking or do it after it’s soaked in water, after the formalin? How long does it have to soak? Thanks In Advance, again I’m new so any detailed information would be greatly appreciated!![​IMG]
     

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  3. Mar 2, 2023 #2
    joeym

    joeym Old Murphey

    14,559
    10,590
    Chunky, Mississippi
    If you want to mount the head, forget everything you think you know. Those "pickled heads" available at truck stops with marble eyes are hideous. You need tutoring on how to totally void the head of all internal tissue, tan the head to preserve the outer skin, and then properly reconstruct it. It's a labor intensive, expensive process. Real alligator glass eyes are used rather than "floral marbles". Breakthrough magazine recently had an article on alligator taxidermy. You might start there, then look into the resource books they offer in reptile taxidermy.
     
    Texasaaa, Skinscraper86 and msestak like this.

  5. Mar 2, 2023 #3
    msestak

    msestak Well-Known Member

    18,346
    22,355
    there are lizards, iguanas and Alligators. what you are working on is an Alligator. seek info on Alligators and not lizards.

    start with what joeym said above.
     
    Skinscraper86 likes this.
  6. Mar 2, 2023 #4
    Skinscraper86

    Skinscraper86 New Member

    6
    5
    Florida
    Not sure where you’re from but here we call them lizards too- yes I am working on an alligator. Thank you
     
    msestak likes this.
  7. Mar 3, 2023 #5
    Skinscraper86

    Skinscraper86 New Member

    6
    5
    Florida
    We usually send out our heads to a taxidermist an hour and a half away but hasn’t sent any and was going to through them out with the scrap guy. I was given the opportunity to do them and took it. I’ve read a lot and was told to remove everything fleshy. Then was told they soaked there’s in a formalin solution, but wasn’t told much more than that. I watched a video on a mount a guy was doing and he suggested removing the pallet completely, and pieces of the jaw to remove all the fleshy mess behind that and then making new pieces then bonding them back and texturing. One guy uses mop and glow, but the taxidermist uses a clear coat lol I order my eyes from McKenzie.
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2023
    msestak likes this.
  8. Mar 3, 2023 #6
    joeym

    joeym Old Murphey

    14,559
    10,590
    Chunky, Mississippi
    You are headed in the right direction! There is nothing easy about an alligator!
     
    msestak and Skinscraper86 like this.
  9. Mar 3, 2023 #7
    Kastaway

    Kastaway Taxidermist, Pioneer of Freeze Drying 1969

    1,150
    76
    Bedford, Ohio
    Tanglewood Taxidermy, Skinscraper86, joeym and 1 other person like this.
  10. Mar 3, 2023 #8
    Kastaway

    Kastaway Taxidermist, Pioneer of Freeze Drying 1969

    1,150
    76
    Bedford, Ohio
    [​IMG]
     
    Skinscraper86 and msestak like this.
  11. Mar 3, 2023 #9
    msestak

    msestak Well-Known Member

    18,346
    22,355
    theres money to be made in mounting Alligator heads for customers. i dont know what the going rate is now but years ago my son killed a 10 foot gator the rug was 180.00 a foot and the head was another 400.00
     
    Skinscraper86 likes this.
  12. Mar 3, 2023 #10
    Skinscraper86

    Skinscraper86 New Member

    6
    5
    Florida
    We usually send out our heads to a taxidermist an hour and a half away but hasn’t sent any and was going to through them out with the scrap guy. I was given the opportunity to do them and took it. I’ve read a lot and was told to remove everything fleshy. Then was told they dial there’s in a formalin solution, but wasn’t told much more than that. I watched a video on a mount a guy was doing and he suggested removing the pallet completely, and pieces of the jaw to remove all the fleshy mess behind that and then making new pieces then bonding them back and texturing. One guy uses mop and glow, but the taxidermist uses a clear coat lol I order mine from
    thank you!
     
    msestak likes this.
  13. Mar 4, 2023 #11
    Skinscraper86

    Skinscraper86 New Member

    6
    5
    Florida
    Depending on the inches depends on the price- I think that’s about right. I just found out they harvested a guesstimated 12’ monster this morning on one of their contract spots- I’m thinking of saving that one for later. It’sa waste to let these big guys get trashed
     
    msestak likes this.
  14. Mar 4, 2023 #12
    Penczak

    Penczak Active Member

    330
    211
    Just order reproduction aligator heads then throw yours out. Your boss will be elated.
    Also you may need to get a taxidermy license, check Fl by-laws.
     
    msestak likes this.
  15. Mar 4, 2023 #13
    Skinscraper86

    Skinscraper86 New Member

    6
    5
    Florida
    Ha, you’re funny… thanks though. I have to have hides license to do what I’m doing. Was told from FWC nothing was needed for the heads
     
    msestak likes this.