Once I saw a show about forensic detective (IIRC) who used some type of worms to clean the flesh off of bones making them easier to study. Apparently this is better (and less messy) than, say, boiling or other methods. They refered to a specific type of worm that was the most effecient. I think the F.B.I. uses them.
What are they, where can I get them?
Thanks
You sure they were worms? I’ve heard of naturalists using dermestid beetles for that purpose – one author described them as “all but Simonizing” the bones. Supposedly, the Smithsonian is the main supplier, should you be interested in picking up a few.
No, not sure it was worms. Are you suggesting the Smithsonion sells them?
AAAAAHH!! Curse you, Gaspode, that was an Acrobat Reader PDF file! :mad:
[sub]heh[/sub] 
Anyway, here you go, Warmgun. Enjoy!
http://www.skulltaxidermy.com/kits.html
I have no idea why it says they won’t sell them to residents of Montana.
No direct experience, but I think that it is actually the larvae of the beetles that eat flesh, which would help explain the “worms”.
Just curious.
why do you want to buy them?
You’d be surprised scraps.
Preparing specimens for teaching, museums and art would be the most common uses. We had a thread question a few months ago from someone looking for tips on how to de-flesh skulls for artistic uses.
Sorry about the PDF link DDG. Is that a problem? I don’t even notice them.
Thanks for the help gang, and the link Duck Duck Goose.
My daughter, the tomboy, is always collecting animal skulls she finds on her hikes.
You really don’t know why they wouldn’t sell them to the folks in Montana?..
I notice that they’re located in Montana. so they probably don’t want to deal with some local tax or someething.
Or maybe thay didn’t want the Unabomber getting his hands on them…