Due to popular demand... I'm starting a thread here about cleaning skulls!
There are 4 different ways to clean a skull without loosing teeth or the entire skull thanks to wild critters.
Dermestid Beetles: Probably the most heard of since the beetles do all the work. They are good for really small skulls and can be used for entire skeletons because you can remove the skull/bones before the cartilage is eaten. They will eat any flesh and can/will eat carpet, leather, etc... if they get out. They have to be kept in a specific temperature range and like with any "pet", their enclosure substrate must be changed occasionally. They also stink to an extent.
Boiling: This has got to be the most common way for the DIY'er. It is pretty quick and only stinks for a short amount of time. I find it no fun because if I am playing with something hot, I always find a way to burn myself. Boiling has ill effects on skulls especially teeth. The heat can crack teeth with canines being the easiest to crack. Boiling can shrink the skull some and actually sets the fat farther into the bone (which will cause your skull to be yellow in spots).
Simmering: This is pretty close to boiling, but if done correctly can work. Correctly is finding a temperature that removes the meat, brains, and all other gunk from the skull with minimal damage to the bone and teeth. Canine teeth can and will crack on occasion with this method. If done too hot, it will also set the fat farther in the bone.
Maceration: This is the method I use. It by far is the nastiest, but is very thorough. Maceration is allowing bacteria (in a controlled environment) to eat the flesh, brains, and remaining gunk off the skull. In a sense, it is similar to jungle rot. The flesh is turned into a nasty ooze and has a smell that you can never forget! You're loved ones and neighbors will definitely notice you have something dead lingering around and may involuntarily dry heave. Anyways, All the cartilage is dissolved and all teeth fall out. Maceration also begins removing fat from on/in the bone.
Wow, I got carried away!
Tomorrow, I do plan to take some pictures of a "nature" cleaned badger skull to compare against mine.
There are 4 different ways to clean a skull without loosing teeth or the entire skull thanks to wild critters.
Dermestid Beetles: Probably the most heard of since the beetles do all the work. They are good for really small skulls and can be used for entire skeletons because you can remove the skull/bones before the cartilage is eaten. They will eat any flesh and can/will eat carpet, leather, etc... if they get out. They have to be kept in a specific temperature range and like with any "pet", their enclosure substrate must be changed occasionally. They also stink to an extent.
Boiling: This has got to be the most common way for the DIY'er. It is pretty quick and only stinks for a short amount of time. I find it no fun because if I am playing with something hot, I always find a way to burn myself. Boiling has ill effects on skulls especially teeth. The heat can crack teeth with canines being the easiest to crack. Boiling can shrink the skull some and actually sets the fat farther into the bone (which will cause your skull to be yellow in spots).
Simmering: This is pretty close to boiling, but if done correctly can work. Correctly is finding a temperature that removes the meat, brains, and all other gunk from the skull with minimal damage to the bone and teeth. Canine teeth can and will crack on occasion with this method. If done too hot, it will also set the fat farther in the bone.
Maceration: This is the method I use. It by far is the nastiest, but is very thorough. Maceration is allowing bacteria (in a controlled environment) to eat the flesh, brains, and remaining gunk off the skull. In a sense, it is similar to jungle rot. The flesh is turned into a nasty ooze and has a smell that you can never forget! You're loved ones and neighbors will definitely notice you have something dead lingering around and may involuntarily dry heave. Anyways, All the cartilage is dissolved and all teeth fall out. Maceration also begins removing fat from on/in the bone.
Wow, I got carried away!
Tomorrow, I do plan to take some pictures of a "nature" cleaned badger skull to compare against mine.
+1
from the smell.
