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I went along to an anthropomorphic mouse taxidermy class today to get an experience of what its like because I'm writing a piece for a magazine on the apparent revival taxidermy, having recently become rather fashionable in the arts and crafts scene. I ended up really enjoying it so I might try my hand at another hobby. I was wondering how anyone else feels about the subject and if they've got any experience with it?

I don't. But this does not sound like OT to me.

To be honest taxidermy sounds pretty creepy to me. I get how it can be used to show an animal for museums and the like, but for a regular household it just seems...weird. The idea of having a dead animal full of stuffing just seems kinda strange to me. Do your own thing anyways, it's your hobby not mine!

 KaptinBadrukk wrote:
I don't. But this does not sound like OT to me.

How exactly does this NOT sound off topic?


I personally think taxidermy is pretty cool when done correctly

Okay, "Anthropomorphic Mouse Taxidermy"? What?

Dressing preserved mice in tiny people clothes to be used as cake toppers?

Well, now I want pictures.

Yet I always thought taxidermy was alright. If nature's your thing, it's a great way of bringing the outdoors indoors. My wife does not share my opinion, however.

If you like it, then have at it!

Yeah, i'm with the anthropomorphic mouse taxidermy confusion group. Is it indeed taxidermying rodents to look like they're playing tennis and the like?

 Beta wrote:
Dressing preserved mice in tiny people clothes to be used as cake toppers?

From what I know of taxidermy, this would be a bad idea (arsenic is a pain).

Am I the only person who knows how to use google? http://afieldguide.org/workshops.html and https://www.google.com/search?q=anthropomorphic+mouse+taxidermy&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MMsgVcf5M8WEsAXV8IHoBA&ved=0CCQQsAQ&biw=1320&bih=706

The only one brave enough, maybe? I'm not typing anthropomorphic *anything* into google - there's tentacles out there, and they aren't friendly.

So it was rodents that look like they're playing tennis. Any chance you could get them wearing power armour and holding bolters?

 Peregrine wrote:
Am I the only person who knows how to use google? http://afieldguide.org/workshops.html and https://www.google.com/search?q=anthropomorphic+mouse+taxidermy&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MMsgVcf5M8WEsAXV8IHoBA&ved=0CCQQsAQ&biw=1320&bih=706

Where's the fun in that?

Oh god those things are hideous.

That afieldguide link Peregrine shared ran the workshop that I went to, it was at Sebastian Horsely's old house.

Before I was on the fence about it, being a bit creepy. I'm not a squeamish person so the skinning didn't phase but, although I am awful at sewing.

Anthropomorphism is giving animals human characteristics, be it posing or props. My little fella has a top hat.

 KaptinBadrukk wrote:
I don't. But this does not sound like OT to me.

Do you not get how off-topic works? This is the second time within a week you've done this. Let me set up an example for you:

"I'm feeling suicidal today": go see a doctor or a councilor! Not appropriate for off topic

"Today I had soup"-great start for a blog (I guess). Not off topic

"I'm bored". Good; go run around until you pass out. Spam. Not off topic

"Hey, I'm thinking about starting a new hobby, does anyone have first hand information they can share on taxidermy?": provokes discussion and transfer of thoughts, and is a fairly interesting/unique topic. Worthy of off topic.

Sound good? Yeah.

Taxidermy is really cool. I'd love to have some of the stuff I hunt stuffed (small game, bow-hunter). I really hate the anthropomorphic stuff though.

Alot of the antromorphic stuff is just weird, like this:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/169081997/taxidermy-mouse-chess-set-wooden-board

But it's just abit of fun and I reckon it's good for newbies as a way of making crap taxidermy look alright, albeit silly, hiding defects, drawing attention away from mistakes ect. I accidentally broke my mouse's arm when piercing a wire through it, completely missed the palm and ended up going through its wrist. I might make him a little sling to fix that.

I would love to dress a mouse up as anything 40k related. I'd imagine I'd need inquisitor scale bits though and they're all oop. That and it'd all be metal parts.

anthropomorphic mouse taxidermy class

What kind of school are you in?

Also, I think this is completely creepy and sad for those poor animals. Can't you just use plush animals or something like that?

 trephines wrote:
Alot of the antromorphic stuff is just weird, like this:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/169081997/taxidermy-mouse-chess-set-wooden-board

But it's just abit of fun and I reckon it's good for newbies as a way of making crap taxidermy look alright, albeit silly, hiding defects, drawing attention away from mistakes ect. I accidentally broke my mouse's arm when piercing a wire through it, completely missed the palm and ended up going through its wrist. I might make him a little sling to fix that.

I would love to dress a mouse up as anything 40k related. I'd imagine I'd need inquisitor scale bits though and they're all oop. That and it'd all be metal parts.

OK... I have to admit, you've sold me on 40k themed anthropomorphic taxidermy. That sounds awesome.

 Iron_Captain wrote:

Also, I think this is completely creepy and sad for those poor animals. Can't you just use plush animals or something like that?

As many mice and rats as I've trapped around the machine shop/garage, I think of it as doing something useful with the bodies as opposed to pitching them.

That and seeing their flayed brethren might give the rest of them the idea.

The mice that we used, and that the vast majority of people use, are from exotic pet shops. They're originally intended as snake food.

I will admit, the gribbly part of the process is pretty damn gribbly. I suppose it's probably best I don't put the gory pictures up.

Not terribly keen on the antromorphic stuff, but I do have a silver fox that my wife's grandfather shot in 1966, and he still looks amazing today. Freaks the cats out hardcore




EDIT: spelling wordz is hard

On eBay you can buy this delight.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/391098741049

Elsewhere you can get squirrels stuffed and mounted on R/C bikes to drive around.

Alright, the thought of attaching a rodent to a working R/C bike or car or whatever and driving it around sounds hilarious.

The mice are better than the "bad taxidermy" stuff out there:

 d-usa wrote:
The mice are better than the "bad taxidermy" stuff out there:

Spoiler:

omg, you almost made me die of laughter there
These ones are so fething brilliant:


http://io9.com/the-worlds-most-awkward-taxidermy-509470092

Hey, that bobcat has personality imo.

I think you guys might find this site amusing...
http://www.badtaxidermy.com/

 trephines wrote:
I think you guys might find this site amusing...
http://www.badtaxidermy.com/

You thought correct!

How many mice do you have to kill to field a full skaven army?

I'm starting to want a chess set made of taxidermy mice wearing 40k gear. Thanks, Dakka...