Wet, Fuzzy, and Weird: Taxidermy and Teratology

  Wet, Fuzzy, and Weird:   Hairless Kitten from a Carnie? I purchased my first wet specimen (named Tickle)   from a  carnie.   Tickle's Story: When the freak show behind my last job shut down and started renovating, they told me that they had some cat taxidermy. They told me this of corse to try to freak me out and make me squeal because of my love of cats, but I reacted quite the contrary. Originally I wanted to purchase their mounted 3-eyed cat, but it was out of my price range. Instead, they told me that they had a stillborn hairless cat. The purchase was instant: $200 later I had my new baby just out of arms reach. I went to pick up the baby up at 10pm that night and the Carnie man held out my new treasure.  Tickle's Preservation According to the Carnie's word, the kitten should be around  19-21 years old  as of 2022, and the liquid inside is just as old (it looked like dehydrated pee when I first got it, as shown below. The alcohol the kitten is stored in it ethanol al

  Wet, Fuzzy, and Weird:   Dead and Dyed When the dead died did they die to be dyed? Many of us wanted a pink pony growing up, only to be told that pink ponies do not exist and forcing one to exist would be cruel. (Some people do still inhumanely dye live animals with non-pet safe dyes. Don't do that. Here's a link to a page that recommends pet-safe dyes for your use! )  not a pink pony, but a pink two-headed rat by Sarina Brewer Dying taxidermy has always been something controversial between the different subcultures of taxidermy. Traditional taxidermists claim it is treachery that is just out to shame the animal and show it no respect. Others look at it and go "woah, that's pretty neat, colorful animals look awesome!" I can see both sides of the argument, but I think dying taxidermy can be awesome!  Some people dye animals to give them a more "alive" look. They will just rejuvenate the already present colors using airbrushing for details. Museums use

  Wet, Fuzzy, and Weird:   Down on One Knee Taxidermy You've waited years for this, they reach into their pocket and pull out a...  Rabbit Head? How thrilled would you be if the box your proposal ring was stored in was an actual animal head? Personally, I would be more excited about the box than the ring. These unique engagement ring boxes are a stunner for any taxidermy or oddity fans. Instagram user @kady_rose is an animal scientist, artist, taxidermist, and vegetarian who creates such amazing boxes (and more!) I do not know the exact method Kady uses to make these pieces, but if I were to guess it could be as follows. She purchases (or makes her own) foam mold of the desired animal, along with acquiring the correct eyed for the taxidermy. She splits the mould along the mouth, carving out what space is needed to place the ring. Its probably at this stage she adds a hinge to the foam mount and also cuts the mouth of the pelt to be larger. Kady then mounts the prepared skin on t

  Wet, Fuzzy, and Weird:   The Jackalope Rabbits with deer horns... What? Where did the jackalope come from? You'd think that it was some folklore that then became a huge thing to do in taxidermy, but its confirmed start was actually a fun little hobby to make money. Douglas Herrick and his brother started crafting "jackalopes" in the 1930's, selling them to a local hotel in Wyoming. Through spreading these little creations to other companies once they were popular, the jackalope was easily spread across the United States. They are a staple of American hospitality and curiosity. There is a possible underlying legend to the jackalope, but they aren't 100% confirmed to be connected to the ones the Herrick brothers created. Researchers and scientists connect the legend of the jackalope to Shope papilloma virus , in which creatures grown horn-like tumors from orifices of their bodies.  Shope papilloma virus looks a lot different than the traditional jackalope, with ma

Wet, Fuzzy, and Weird:   Taxidermy and Teratology I've always had a weird obsession with dead animals and yet a huge fear of death .  Through my morbid curiosity (and the internet) I discovered the culture of taxidermy and oddities.  This blog won't just be about the classic mounting of trophy game animals that collect dust in your redneck uncle's living room. I will take you stranger than that. I myself collect wet specimens in jars, skulls, classic taxidermy, pelts, and I love the history, science, and pure weirdness behind it all. Weird taxidermy dates back such a long time and has such a huge and curious history that continues to grow and develop. In this blog, I will document my own experiences and list the stories behind my own taxidermy pieces, share information of the sciences of taxidermy and teratology , share others’ creative taxidermy pieces and discoveries, and so on. I welcome you all to Wet, Fuzzy, and Weird: Taxidermy and Teratology , where I, Lee Dunmir