rattlesnake head

Beetles. Maceration would be a nightmare.

 

X2 on bugs. The pieces you get from maceration will take you a year to get back together (maybe).

 

When working with venomous skulls, the venom doesn't harm the beetles does it? I really want to get and clean a rattlesnake skeleton but the risks of working with it worry me.

 

That's a great question I am standing by for an answer

 

From what I understand the beetles will avoid the "poison" glands. But FYI you can drink snake venom because they are not "poisonous" they are venomous therefor their toxins do not affect you the same when they are ingested.

Another method you can use is oxidation method. This will actually oxidize the remaining flesh and make it clear only leaving ligaments holding the skull together. If it is done right there is no real reassembly needed.

It's outlined on boneman.com

 

You should be able to remove the glands easily, they're quite prominent. You can also squeeze out remaining venom before starting. I wouldn't ingest it because if you have any open wounds on the way down it's gonna hurt. It shouldn't kill you though because it's not being injected or in a large amount... It shouldn't hurt or kill the beetles either. Maybe if you give them enough snakes they'll build an immunity.

 

I boiled a rattlesnake head and it came out really good. As in the oxidation method mentioned above, the I was careful not to over-boil and the ligaments stayed intact....very little re-assembly.

 

I personally think maceration is a cleaner way, but it's a lot of work puzzle piecing it back together.

I'd go with beetles. Just finished a little skeleton here a week ago lol

 

I've done over 30 rattler heads and several cottonmouths and the beetles clean them up no problem. They cleaned out every bit of space where the glands are. My only problem has been with a cobra and they wouldn't touch it's head at all. When you use beetles most of the skull stays together and often will when degreasing and whitening too.