How To Learn Taxidermy

Taxidermy is a fascinating, if unusual art form. Well preserved animals are worth a lot of money, and can be very attractive and educational. If you are interested in learning how to taxidermy, you will have to get a lot of knowledge about how animals are put together, and how they act in the wild. You will need to learn not to be squeamish, as well as how to work in a wide variety of different media to bring hunting trophies, pets, museum specimens and other animals to life.

The first step in learning how to taxidermy animals is to visit the shops of artists that you respect. Explain that you are interested in the field and be willing to ask useful questions. Successful taxidermists may be willing to let you see their works in progress, and even give you a tour of their work spaces. This can be a fairly difficult profession to get into, and you are going to need to understand all the work involved before you put time, money, and effort into it.

Next, spend some time learning about animals. Learn how to draw them and how to understand their anatomy. Consider using videos and books to learn more about the biology and behavior of animals. There are plenty of professional publications available by subscription or at your library. You will want to get as large a body of knowledge to work from as you possibly can, since this makes the difference between high quality taxidermy and stiff, un-lifelike works.

You are probably going to need to get involved in an apprenticeship with a skilled mentor. He or she can help you understand the ins and outs of the business, and teach you what you should and should not do. This will take a long time, and you should expect to have to volunteer your services to help with your mentors business. You may even need to pay for your lessons. After all, you are getting the benefit of your mentors time and expertise. Do practice work on small mammals meant for snake food, roadkill, and other small projects.

You will want to make sure that you are in touch with the general practices in your area, too. There are plenty of workshops and art shows you can visit to see what others are doing. You may even want to enroll in a taxidermy school, in order to learn under the guidance of a teacher. This is particularly important if you have difficulty in finding an apprenticeship. Remember to check licensing requirements in your area, since they will vary by location.

In some areas, you will need to prove your expertise, while in others, paying a fee and filing for a license is all you need to do. Once you are successfully licensed, however, you will be able to start practicing professionally. Be willing to learn all the time, and remember that there are plenty of skills outside of the mainstream that can help. Sculpting and woodworking, for instance, are extremely helpful. You can learn how to taxidermy all kinds of animals and produce fascinating works of art, as long as you are willing to work hard.