Taxidermy is usually viewed for its face value. People see an animal, fur, teeth, claws, and eyes. In reality taxidermy is and can be used for much more.
- It can be used to teach people of all ages about nature and animals. We can instruct them on how animals function and show them why some are more dangerous than others. Taxidermy is found throughout our museums (http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hunting/game-handling/taxidermy.htm).
- Natural resource officers can teach new hunters where to shoot animals to harvest them the most effective way possible with the least amount of pain and suffering.
- With a slow economy taxidermy is taking the place of zoos. For children, it is becoming one of the only ways to get up close and personal with a wide variety of creatures.
Next time you see an example of taxidermy get up close and show your kids they can too. Please let us know if you think taxidermy is a useful educational tool.
 |
| Display of 200 pound bear with actual skull and photos. |
What kind of material is the camo made out of? Is it cloth, paper, or some other material? How exactly does it stay on the skull?
ReplyDelete-CNP
There are a few steps in the process. The camo itself is a thin film like material. It goes on whatever you want it to and then some follow up chemicals cause it to harden and stay put. Some are sprayed, but the better quality ones seem to be dipped.
ReplyDeleteI never thought about taxidermy as a learning tool, especially because I have only ever viewed it as a way to hang game trophies. This blog is eye-opening and insightful. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI always thought about taxidermy as a gross dead animal on the wall .Being from Garrett County we have a deer head hanging in our basement, but I never thought as it as educational. Now that I think back to it I went to Camp Hickory as a kid and learned a lot from taxidermy work. Very educational!
ReplyDeleteClare B.
Never thought as taxidermy as anything more then decorations, very interesting that you can use these techniques as hunting education.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this post. I've actually enjoyed seeing taxidermy in the bottom floor of compton at FSU. You can actually see the animals up close in personal.
ReplyDelete-CNP
Taxidermy can definitely be viewed as educational. We all as children attended trips to museums and not only learned about countless extincted, nearly extincted, and rare animals, but were also able to see them, experience their size and see the ultimate visual of the animals. Great times!
ReplyDelete-RJ
I agree, taxidermy is definitely educational. Especially when new species of mammals or fish are found, naturalists and zoologists can preserve them so they can classify and observe them later.
ReplyDelete-KV
I never really thought of taxidermy as an educational tool, but now I can see how useful it can be.
ReplyDelete-AE
This seems like a unique way to be able to see and understand different animals up close that you would not be able to if they were living.
ReplyDelete-JL-