I have a large turtle and it’s days are soon coming to an end due to old age. I would like to keep his shell as a memoriam for his long life on this planet. Anybody know a quick, easy and clean way to remove his body from the shell or should I go to a taxidermist? (I’m a DIY kind of guy).
-M
How do you know it’s days are coming to an end? Have you taken him to a vet? Besides helping him/easing his suffereing, he could probably answer your question.
Vet said he’s over 20 years old and he’s not eating as much and a small tumor was removed from his back leg last year. Doctor gave him maybe 3 months. I’ve been giving him his favorite treats lately so he can enjoy his last months. He said Taxidermy but he had the guy’s card on hand, I think he gets a percentage of the business.
-M
Found this on cleaning a snapping turtle for the pot.
http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/conmag/1996/jun/jn96john.html
There are drawings, too.
If this turtle was really your friend for many years, I don’t see how you could go through whatever process is required to save the shell. I think a taxidermists that didn’t know your turtle would be much better.
Yeah…just reading that other post made me sick. Taxidermy it is.
-M
Well, summjer is about here, why not find a good ant hill?
Well, maybe he’s moving very slowly…
AFAIK carpet beetles are often used to clean the flesh from bones that will be put on display.