Wet, Fuzzy, and Weird: Taxidermy and Teratology

  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