Methods in the Art of Taxidermy by Oliver Davie

Taxidermy Materials

The sizes of wires which I have used in some of the full-grown mammals are as follows: No.7-Wolverine. No. 7 or 8- Wild Cat, Lynx rufus (Guldenstadt). No. 8 or 9-Red Fox, Gray Fox. No. 10-American Badger, Otter, Raccoon, Ground Hog, Beaver. No. 11 or 12-Civet Cat, Martin, Skunk. No. 12 or 13- Muskrat, Gray Rabbit, Opossum. No. 14 or l5-American Mink, Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrel. No. 17 or 18-Weasel, Red Squirrel, Chipmunk, Gopher A full-sized Bullfrog, Rana catesbiana (Shaw), mounted in a quiet, natural position, requires No. 19 wire for its support; and in an upright or human-like attitude, No. 17. Some of the tailed Amphibians, the size of the Mud Puppy or Water Dog, Necturus maculatus (Rafinesque), or the species known as the Hellbender or Mud Devil, take a No. 14 wire. Most of these however, are preserved in clear spirits. The African Ostrich requires 1/2-inch iron rod. The common domestic cat usually needs a No. 12 or 13 wire; Pointer, Setter Dog, Coyote, 1/4 inch Norway round iron rod; Gray Wolf, 5/16 inch; Giant Kangaroo, 3/8 inch; Cougar or American Panther,5/16- inch; American Tapir, 3/8 inch; Caribou and large Mountain Sheep, 1/2 inch; Moose, Elk, and Giraffe, 3/4 inch. The size of rod which I have always used for supports in the horse and cow was 5/8 inch this size is also necessary for the American Bison. List of Essential Tools, etc.

• 3 pairs of fine scissors, one curved, Figs. I, 2, 3, Pl. I.
• 1 pair shears, Fig. 4, PI. I.
• 3 scalpels, Figs. 6, i. PI. I.
• 2 cartilage knives, Fig. 8, Pl. I.
• 2 "killing knives" Fig. 5, PI. I.